344 



THE LAKE REGIONS OF CENTRAL AFRICA. 



Between these two extremes are the trading parties 

 directed by the Wasawahili, the Wamrima, and the slave 

 Fundi — the Pombeiros of West Africa — kindred souls 

 with the Pagazi, understanding their languages and 

 familiar with their habits, manners, and customs. 

 These " Safari" are neither starved like those composed 

 of Wanyamwezi, nor pampered like those headed by 

 the Arabs. There is less fatigue during the march, 

 and more comfort at the halting-place, consequently 

 there are fewer cases of disease and death. These semi- 

 African Mtongi, hating and jealousing Arabs and all 

 strangers, throw every obstacle in their way, spread 

 reports concerning their magical and malevolent powers 

 which are dangerous amongst the more superstitious 

 barbarians, they offer a premium for desertion, and in 

 fine, they labour hard though fruitlessly, to retain their 

 ancient monopoly of the profits derived from the interior. 



I will now describe the day's march and the halt of 

 the East African caravan. 



At 3 a.m., all is silent as the tomb, even the Mnyam- 

 wezi watchman nods over his fire. About an hour 

 later the red-faced apoplectic chanticleer — there are 

 sometimes half-a-dozen of them — the alarum of the 

 caravan, and a prime favourite with the slaves and 

 porter, who carry him on their banghy-poles by turns, 

 and who drench him with water when his beak opens 

 under the sun, — flaps his wings and crows a loud 

 salutation to the dawn: he is answered by every cock and 

 cockerel within ear-shot. I have been lying awake . for 

 some time, longing for the light, and when in health, 

 for an early breakfast. At the first paling of the East, 

 the torpid Goanese are called up to build a fire, they 

 tremble with the cold — thermometrically averaging 



