144 



THE LAKE REGIONS OF CENTRAL AFRICA. 



prophylactics. On the march he precedes his porters, 

 and any one who breaks this rule is liable to a fine. 

 He often undergoes abuse for losing the way, for 

 marching too far or not far enough, for not halting at 

 the proper place, and for not setting out at the right 

 time. In return he enjoys the empty circumstance of 

 command, and the solid advantage of better food and a 

 present, which, however, is optional, at the end of the 

 journey: he carries a lighter load, and his emoluments 

 frequently enable him to be attended by a slave. The 

 only way of breaking the perverse and headstrong herd 

 into a semblance of discipline, is to support the Kiran- 

 gozi at all conjunctures, and to make him, if possible, 

 dole out the daily rations and portion the occasional 

 presents of meat. 



At the preliminary Khambi the Mtongi superintends 

 the distribution of each Muzigo or load. The Pagazi 

 or porters are mostly lads, lank and light, with the lean 

 and clean legs of leopards. Sometimes, however, a 

 herculean form is found with the bullet-head, the broad 

 bull-like neck, the deep wide chest, and the large strong 

 extremities that characterise the Hammal of Stamboul. 

 There is usually a sprinkling of greybeards, who might 

 be expected, as the proverb is, to be " leaning against 

 the wall." Amongst these races, however, the older 

 men, who have learned to husband their strength, fare 

 better than their juniors, and the Africans, like the 

 Arabs, object to a party which does not contain * 

 veterans in beard, age, and experience. In portioning 

 the loads there is always much trouble : each individual 

 has his favourite fancy, and must choose, or, at any 

 rate, must consent to his burden. To load porters 

 properly is a work of skill. They will accept at the 

 hand of a man who knows their nature a weight which, 



