HANDSOME MOSES. 



227 



khambi,"thatis to say, pitched our tents under a spreading 

 tree outside and within sight of Kazeh. Although he had 

 been collecting porters for several days, only two came 

 to the fore ; a few refreshing showers were falling at the 

 autumnal equinox, and the black peasantry so miscalcu- 

 lated the seasons that they expected the immediate advent 

 of the great Masika. Moreover, when informed that our 

 route would debouch at Kilwa, they declared that they 

 must receive double pay, as they could not expect there 

 to be hired by return caravans. That the " khambi" 

 might assume an appearance of reality, the Baloch were 

 despatched into " country-quarters." As they followed 

 their usual tactic, affecting eagerness to depart but 

 privily clinging to the pleasures of Kazeh, orders were 

 issued definitively to " cut " their rations in case of 

 necessity. The sons of Ramji, who had returned 

 from Msene, without, however, intrusion or swagger, 

 were permitted to enter the camp. Before the march I 

 summoned them, and in severe terms recapitulated their 

 misdeeds, warned them that they would not be re- 

 engaged, and allowed them provisions and protection 

 only on condition of their carrying, as the slaves of 

 Arab merchants are expected to do, our lighter valu- 

 ables, such as the digester, medicine-chest, gun-cases, 

 camp-table and chair. They promised with an edifying 

 humility to reform. I was compelled, however to en- 

 liven their murmuring by a few slight floggings before 

 they would become amenable to a moral rule, and 

 would acquire those habits of regularity which are as 

 chains and fetters to the African man. The five 

 Wak'hutu porters who, after robbing and deserting us 

 on the road to Ujiji, had taken service with my old ac- 

 quaintance, Salim bin Eashid — the well-informed Coast 

 Arab merchant, originally named by H. H. the Sayyid 



Q 2 



