THE D0NKEY-DKIVEK3. 



143 



represented by the Muinyi Shehe, Mbaruko, Wulaydi, 

 and Khamisi. 



The donkey-men, five in number, had been hired at 

 the rate of thirty dollars per head for the whole time of 

 exploration. Their names were Musangesi, SaDgora, 

 Nasibu, Hasani, and Saramalla. Of their natures little 

 need be said, except that they were a trifle less manage- 

 able than the "sons of Rarnji:" perfect models of servile 

 humanity, obstinate as asses and vicious as mules, 

 gluttonous and lazy, noisy and overbearing, insolent 

 and quarrelsome as slaves. 



Lowest in rank, and little above the asses even in their 

 own estimation, are the thirty-six Wanj'amwezi Pagazi, 

 or porters, who formed the transport-corps. Concerning 

 these men and their burdens, a few words of explanation 

 will be necessary. 



In collecting a caravan the first step is to " make," 

 as the people say, a " Khambi," or kraal. The Mtongi, 

 or proprietor of the goods, announces, by pitching his 

 tent in the open, and by planting his flag, that he is 

 ready to travel ; this is done because amongst the 

 Wanyamwezi a porter who persuades others to enlist 

 does it under pain of prosecution and fine-paying if a 

 death or an accident ensue. Petty chiefs, however, 

 and their kinsmen will bring with them in hope of pro- 

 motion a number of recruits, sometimes all the male 

 adults of a village, who then recognise them as head- 

 men. The next step is to choose a Kirangozi or guide. 

 Guides are not a peculiar class ; any individual of influence 

 and local knowledge who has travelled the road before is 

 eligible to the post. The Kirangozi must pay his fol- 

 lowers to acknowledge his supremacy, and his Mganga 

 or medicine-man for providing him with charms and 



