VII 



TRAVELS IN EASTERN AFRICA 



305 



they would prefer us to move our camp, as the place 

 was too distant for such august personages as them- 

 selves to have to walk. 



They went away, and in the afternoon returned to 

 make blood-brotherhood. They told us there were 

 two methods of performing this ceremony: one by 

 means of a stone, and the other neces- 

 sitating the painting of our faces many 

 colours. Naturally we preferred the 

 stone rites. The three chiefs on this 

 occasion were attended by about 400 

 warriors ; so I arranged my little band 

 in as formidable array as possible, and 

 fired two volleys. The noise seemed to 

 have an irritating effect upon the sav- 

 ages ; they at once rose to their feet, 

 shouted, and shook their fists. We 

 soon calmed them, however, and pro- 

 ceeded to business. 



Lokomogul, on behalf of his 

 people, and I, on behalf of my 

 own, each seized in our right 

 hands a round stone. Upon the 

 stones we liberally expectorated. 

 Each then passed his stone to his following, who did 

 likewise. We then exchanged stones ; and each, hold- 

 ing the stone in his right hand, with his left dug a 

 small hole in the soil, meanwhile uttering words of 

 supposed magic import. In these holes we finally 

 placed the stones, and covered them with sand. We 

 then grasped hands, and assured each other that we 

 were the best friends possible. After this I took 



Mahomet Aman 



