THROUGH JUNGLE AND DESERT chap. 



tion having the sanction of the Government was about 

 to be formed ; and soon, by twos and threes, men came 

 to my agents, received three months' wages in advance, 

 and signed on as porters. Each man brought with him, 



as sponsor, some responsible 

 person, who was held answer- 

 able for his appearance on the 

 day set for our departure from 

 Zanzibar. 



It may have interest 

 for some to state the 

 wages paid these por- 

 ters - — each man re- 

 ceived twelve rupees 

 per month. At this 

 time the rupee was low, 

 and the equivalent 

 of twelve rupees 

 was somewhat 

 j^^p less than ^4.00, a 

 sum which is there 

 considered very 

 good pay. If the 

 porter is a free- 

 man, he retains 

 if a slave, he must give 



Type of Porter 



the entire amount received 

 one-half to his master. 



In the course of one month I secured 130 men — 

 though " man " is a term which could be properly ap- 

 plied to but few ; for, owing to the scarcity of material, 

 in many instances I was compelled to accept mere 

 youths and men of inferior physique. 



