lO 



THROUGH JUNGLE AND DESERT chap. 



state, and carried with him testimonials of good conduct 

 from every one he had served. In temperament he 

 showed but few negro traits — he appeared to be actu- 

 ally fond of work, and, until his allotted task was com- 

 pleted, never allowed himself to rest. He was silent 

 and attentive ; somewhat stern with his fellow-servants 

 during work time, but when work was over, and he was 

 stretched at ease among his companions, he was one of 

 the most garrulous talkers it has been my lot to hear. 

 He had a round bullet-head, supported on the slightest 

 possible frame; round, but intelligent, eyes; scarcely any 

 nose ; and lips full, to be sure, but firmly pressed to- 

 gether. 



The other boy, Baraka, was an absolute contrast to 

 his companion, being strong and sturdily built. His ex- 

 perience in caravan work was nearly as great as that of 

 Sururu, but of a very different sort, for Baraka had been 

 employed in every capacity, from that of donkey-boy to 

 porter. His disposition was cheerful and even, and re- 

 sembled in greater degree that of an American negro 

 than any other native African I have met. For Lieu- 

 tenant von Hohnel I was able to procure one of the ser- 

 vants whom he had employed on his former journey. 



Lieutenant von Hohnel and I sailed from Europe on 

 the 1 2th of June, 1892. On August 14 we reached 

 Lamoo with all of the men and some of the beasts of 

 burden. There we met George, who had arrived some 

 days before with the goods from Europe. 



Town-life in Africa is not well suited to the native 

 members of a caravan. Temptations, small to the 

 civilized European, surround the native at every turn ; 

 so that it was with all speed that we shipped our men 



