310 



THROUGH JUNGLE AND DESERT 



CHAP. 



At these words, the chiefs exchanged glances ; then 

 arose to their feet, and commanded their followers to 

 be still. In a moment silence reigned, as perfect as 

 the bedlam of the previous moment. The chiefs then 

 again seated themselves, and Lomoro asked us why, 

 if we had come to them for the purpose of trade, we 

 did not trade with them ; they were quite willing, and 

 in fact anxious, to sell us what we desired, but we 

 seemed obstinate and ill-disposed toward them. 



Throughout the entire transaction Lomoro exhibited 

 the most intelligence and diplomacy. Lokomogul, 

 although he seemed to possess great influence over 

 the people, did not show nearly the same degree of 

 attention ; and Lyserege, his cupidity aroused by the 

 sight of our trading-goods, had from the first desired 

 to possess them by force. I took Lomoro to my tent, 

 and with Hassan, the interpreter, endeavoured to have 

 a quiet and reasonable talk with him. I asked him if 

 he had previously had dealings with Arab and Zanzibari 

 caravans. He said : Yes ; on one occasion a caravan 

 came to them and behaved badly ; and so they fell 

 upon it, destroyed the men, and took their goods. And 

 he added that on three or four occasions they had 

 been visited by small bodies of traders, principally 

 Barawa, who had brought with them some marduf. I 

 asked him whether or not he really wished to trade 

 with us. He replied that for his part he would be 

 only too happy to do so ; but that he found great diffi- 

 culty in restraining his young men from attacking us. 

 He suggested that we should distribute a large present 

 among the warriors. This I naturally declined to do. 

 He then asked for another present for himself and the 



