X TRAVELS IN EASTERN AFRICA 481 



them in a fire, and for that purpose a large one was 

 built, and they all gathered around it to watch the 

 result of the experiment. Of course, the cartridges 

 exploded, and, I regret to record, with unpleasant 

 results to the Daitcho ; three were killed, and five or 

 six severely wounded. At once, those not so fortu- 

 nate as to have possessed themselves of any of the 

 wire or cartridges, reminded the wounded and the 

 friends of the dead of what I had told them before I 

 set out, and the minds of these credulous people forth- 

 with accounted for the explosion by the terrible spell 

 which I had pronounced over the goods upon burying 

 them. During the following day all those who had 

 stolen the goods and wire returned them to Bykender, 

 with whom they left them to await my return, fearing 

 to keep the smallest possible quantity. 



