278 THE LAKE REGIONS OF CENTRAL AFRICA. 



the Mnyamwezi bought at Inenge, inasmuch as it ap- 

 peared somewhat stronger than the half-dozen wretched 

 brutes that flung themselves upon the ground apparently 

 too fagged to move. I had, however, overrated its 

 powers : it soon became evident that I must walk, or that 

 the valuable cargo must be left behind. Trembling 

 with weakness, I set out to traverse the length of the 

 Mdaburu Jungle. The memory of that march is not 

 pleasant : the burning sun and the fiery reflected heat 

 arising from the parched ground — here a rough, thorny, 

 and waterless jungle, where the jasmine flowered and the 

 frankincense was used for fuel ; there a grassy plain of 

 black and sun-cracked earth — compelled me to lie down 

 every half-hour. The watergourds were soon drained 

 by my attendant Baloch ; and the sons of Ramji, 

 who, after reaching the resting-place, had returned with 

 ample stores for their comrades, hid their vessels on my 

 approach. Sarmalla, a donkey-driver, the model of a 

 surly negro, whose crumpled brow, tightened eyes and 

 thick lips which shot-out on the least occasion of excite- 

 ment, showed what was going on within his head, openly 

 refused me the use of his gourd, and — thirst is even 

 less to be trifled with than hunger — found ample rea- 

 son to repent himself of the proceeding. Near the end 

 of the jungle I came upon a party of the Baloch, who, 

 having seized upon a porter belonging to a large cara- 

 van of Wanyamwezi that had passed us on that march, 

 were persuading him, half by promises and half by 

 threats, to carry their sleeping mats and their empty 

 gourds. The strict and positive orders as regards en- 

 ticing away deserters which I had issued at Inenge, were 

 looked upon by them, in their all- engrossing egotism, as a 

 mere string of empty words. I could do nothing beyond 

 threatening to report their conduct to their master, and 



