VI 



TRAVELS IN EASTERN AFRICA 



241 



principal men would be gathered together, and the 

 treaty ratified. We gave them presents, and they went 

 on their ways rejoicing. That night the hills around 

 our camp resounded with the notes of native horns, 

 which we were told were sounded for the purpose of 

 assembling the elders. The following day nothing 

 happened. 



The change in the atmosphere was very marked. 

 Here among the Embe we were encamped about 5000 

 feet above sea-level, and the air was very bracing. Both 

 Lieutenant von Hohnel and I found that our appetites 

 increased and our spirits rose. I am sure that at this 

 height above sea-level Europeans could live with com- 

 fort. My negroes, however, appeared to suffer from 

 the cold. They imagine that no country is healthy 

 where they are not continually bathed in perspiration, 

 although at ease. 



On the following day about thirty old men came to 

 our camp, and asked our intentions. We had grown 

 accustomed to their policy of delay and postponement ; 

 but on this occasion we had no time to wait, and 

 frankly told them that they were well informed of our 

 purpose, and that we expected them, with more elders, 

 to come on the morrow for the purpose of ratifying 

 the treaty. To hasten them, we told them that delay 

 on their part would be construed by us as an act of 

 unfriendliness ; that if they wished to remain happy 

 and unmolested, they must introduce a little more 

 celerity into their diplomacy ; and that if the following 

 day passed without the leaders making their appearance, 

 the succeeding day would find their country the scene 

 of rapine and pillage. 



R 



