38 



THE LAKE REGIONS OF CENTRAL AFRICA. 



which fled from their shouting and splashing ; and 

 they even ventured into deep water, where swimming 

 was necessarv. We crossed as usual on a " unicorn " of 

 negroids, the upper part of the body supported by two 

 men, and the feet resting upon the shoulders of a third, 

 — a posture somewhat similar to that affected by 

 gentlemen who find themselves unable to pull off their 

 own boots. Then remounting, we ascended the grassy 

 rise on the right of the stream, struggled, slipped, and 

 slided over a muddy swamp, climbed up a rocky and 

 bushy ridge, and found ourselves ensconced in "a ragged 

 and comfortless kraal upon the western slopes, within 

 sight of some deserted salt-pans below. As evening drew 

 in, it became apparent that the Goanese Gaetano, the five 

 Wak'hutu porters, and Sarmalla, a donkey-driving son 

 of Kamji, had remained behind, in company with 

 several loads, the tent, two bags of clothes, my com- 

 panion's elephant-gun, my bedding, and that of my 

 servant. It was certain that with this provision in the 

 vicinity of Parugerero they would not starve, and the 

 porters positively refused to halt an hour more than 

 necessary. I found it therefore compulsory to advance. 

 On the 11th February three " children" of Said bin 

 Salim consented, as usual, for a consideration, to return 

 and to bring up the laggers, and about a week after- 

 wards they entered Ujiji without accident. The five 

 Wak'hutu porters, probably from the persuasions of 

 Muinyi Wazira, had, although sworn to fidelity with the 

 strongest oaths, carried into execution a long-organised 

 plan of desertion. Gaetano refused to march on the 

 day of our separation, because he was feverish, and he 

 expected a riding-ass to be sent back for him. He 

 brought up our goods safely, but blankets, towels, and 

 many articles of clothing belonging to his companion, 



