442 



THROUGH JUNGLE AND DESERT 



CHAP. 



in their flight, and then, as though influenced by 

 some occult power, changed direction, and made off 

 toward the desert. 



It was with the greatest difficulty that I controlled my 

 features : never were risibles given such great provoca- 

 tion as mine at that time. The Daitcho people threw 

 their hands into the air as in an attitude of devotion, 

 gazed at me with reverence and awe, and then ex- 

 pressed their gratitude by the only means in their 

 power. They formed a long line in front of me ; and, 

 led by the elders, they all proceeded to dance, slowly 

 at first, and all the while chanting a tuneless song. 

 Finally, having wrought themselves to a pitch resem- 

 bling religious enthusiasm, their movements became 

 quicker and quicker; all sense of the harmony of 

 sounds seemed to depart from them, and the ear 

 was filled with a roaring bedlam of thanksgiving and 

 joy. 



As my luncheon hour was approaching, I sent word 

 to them to depart, which they unwillingly did, wish- 

 ing, as long as they had strength in their limbs or 

 breath in their bodies, to testify their admiration and 

 gratitude for the deed I had performed. 



On November 19, Hamidi and his men returned 

 from the river, bringing v/ith them a letter from George, 

 who was well, but reported the death of five donkeys 

 from fly-bite ; also, that to avoid further similar hap- 

 penings he had sent others to a point two days' journey 

 from the river, where there were no flies. I sent men 

 for further news from George, and they returned, stating 

 that the river had again risen, and that George had 

 determined to leave the donkeys in charge of five men 



