127 



CHAP. V. 



HALT AT ZUNGOMERO, AND FORMATION OF THE CAEAVAN. 



I halted to collect carriage and to await the arrival 

 of the twenty- two promised porters for about a fortnight 

 at that hot-bed of pestilence, Zungomero, where we nearly 

 found " wet graves." Our only lodging was under the 

 closed eaves of a hut built African-fashion, one abode 

 within the other. The roof was a sieve, the walls were 

 systems of chinks, and the floor was a sheet of mud. 

 Outside the rain poured pertinaciously, as if K'hutu had 

 been situated in the " black north" of Hibernia ; the 

 periodical S. and S.W. winds were raw and chilling, the 

 gigantic vegetation was sopped to decay, and the tangled 

 bank of the Mgeta River, lying within pistol-shot of 

 our hovels, added its quotum of miasma. The hard- 

 ships of a march in inclement weather had taken effect 

 upon the Baloch guard : expecting everything to be 

 done for them they endured seven days of wet and 

 wind before they could find energy to build a shed, and 

 they became almost mutinous because left to make 

 shelter for themselves. They stole the poultry of the 

 villagers like gipsies, they quarrelled violently with the 

 slaves, they foully abused their temporal superior, Said 

 bin Salim, and three of the thirteen were accused of 

 grossly insulting the women of the Wak'hutu. The 

 latter charge, after due investigation, was " not proven :" 

 we had resolved, in case of its being brought home, 

 severely to flog the culprits or to turn them out of 

 camp. 



