346 



THE LAKE REGIONS OF CENTRAL AFEICA. 



ghumi, or horns. The sons of Ramji come in a body 

 to throw our tents, and to receive small burdens, which, 

 if possible, they shirk ; sometimes Kidogo does me the 

 honour to inquire the programme of the day. The 

 porters, however, hug the fire till driven from it, when 

 they unstack the loads piled before our tents and pour 

 out of the camp or village. My companion and I, 

 when well enough to ride, mount our asses, led by the 

 gunbearers, who carry all necessaries for offence and de- 

 fence; when unfit for exercise, we are borne in hammocks, 

 slung to long poles, and carried by two men at a time. 

 The Baloch tending their slaves hasten off in a strag- 

 gling body, thinking only of escaping an hour's sun. 

 The Jemadar, however, is ordered to bring up the rear 

 with Said bin Salim, who is cold and surly, abusive 

 and ready with his rattan. Four or five packs have 

 been left upon the ground by deserters, or shirkers, who 

 have started empty-handed, consequently our Arab 

 either double-loads more willing men, or persuades the 

 sons of Ramji to carry a small parcel each, or that 

 failing, he hires from some near village a few porters 

 by the day. This, however, is not easy, the beads have 

 been carried off, and the most tempting promises with- 

 out pre-payment, have no effect upon the African mind. 



When all is ready, the Kirangozi or Mnyamwezi 

 guide rises and shoulders his load, which is ever one of 

 the lightest. He deliberately raises his furled flag, a 

 plain blood-red, the sign of a caravan from Zanzibar, 

 much tattered by the thorns, and he is followed by a 

 privileged Pagazi, tom-toming upon a kettle-drum 

 much resembling a European hour-glass. The digni- 

 tary is robed in the splendour of scarlet broadcloth, a 

 narrow piece about six feet long, with a central aperture 

 for the neck, and with streamers dangling before and 



