INSOLENCE OF NATIVES ON THE INCREASE 



339 



our camping-place, and whilst the men were scattered about put- 

 ting things to rights and making the fence, always a specially 

 dangerous time, the Count and I kept guard ourselves with 

 loaded weapons. The natives were made to keep a respectful 

 distance, and even when the camjD was pitched we only allowed 

 a few of them, and those unarmed, to enter it. Heavy rain fell 

 at intervals during the afternoon and night, which did more 

 perhaps than anything else to keep the peace, but we did not 

 really gain much by it as the paths became so slippery that 

 we could not resume our march the next morning. 



Almost before daybreak, crowds of natives came to the 

 camp, most of them with food for sale, but as no one was 

 admitted, they had to be content with gathering in groups on 

 the neighbouring heights, whence they gazed curiously at us. 

 We had a presentiment that they meant us no good, and kept 

 careful watch on their movements, for even the day before our 

 men had been threatened with spears when they went to fetch 

 water. They were all in such good heart now, however, that 

 it took a good deal to scare them ; they had won so easily 

 before that they did not dread another encounter. 



The insolence of the natives was constantly on the increase, 

 and as we waited in the captivity of our camp we momentarily 

 expected an attack. Once a quite trifling and harmless incident 

 all but resulted in a collision. Count Teleki was writing in his 

 tent, and I was lying on my bed in my clothes on account of 

 my illness. As usual, there were loaded guns all round us, so 

 that we could reach one with each hand without moving. The 

 natives were squatting round the camp, and we could hear 

 them every now and then, but on the whole it was very quiet, 

 so quiet that it was evident our men were not enjoying the 

 state of armed peace, with their guns for ever in their hands. 

 Suddenly there were loud cries, and a rush from the natives in 

 the direction of our camp ; the Count and I seized our guns and 



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