THE MARCH OF THE CARAVAN. 



351 



raw. Sometimes a sturdy fellow " renowns it " by 

 carrying his huge burden round and round, like a horse 

 being ringed, and starts off at full speed. When two bodies 

 meet, that commanded by an Arab claims the road. If 

 both are Wanyamwezi, violent quarrels ensue, but fatal 

 weapons, which are too ready at hand, are turned to 

 more harmless purposes, the bow and spear being used 

 as whip and cudgel. These affrays are not rancorous 

 till blood is shed. Few tribesmen are less friendly for so 

 trifling an affair as a broken head ; even a slight cut or 

 a shallow stab is little thought of ; but, if returned with 

 interest, great loss of life may arise from the slenderest 

 cause. When friendly caravans meet, the two Kiran- 

 gozis sidle up with a stage pace, a stride, and a stand, 

 and with sidelong looks prance till arrived within dis- 

 tance ; then suddenly and simultaneously " ducking,'' 

 like boys " giving a back," they come to logger-heads 

 and exchange a butt violently as fighting rams. Their 

 example is followed by all with a rush and a crush, 

 which might be mistaken for the beginning of a faction, 

 but it ends, if there be no bad blood, in shouts of 

 laughter. The weaker body, however, must yield pre- 

 cedence and offer a small present as blackmail. 



About 8 a.m., when the fiery sun has topped the trees 

 and a pool of water, or a shady place appears, the 

 planting of the red flag, the braying of a Barghumi, or 

 koodoo's horn, which, heard at a distance in the deep 

 forests, has something of the charm which endears the 

 " Cor de Chasse " to every woodman's ear, and some- 

 times a musket -shot or two, announces a short halt. The 

 porters stack their loads, and lie or loiter about for a 

 few minutes, chatting, drinking, and smoking tobacco 

 and bhang, with the usual whooping, screaming cough, 

 and disputing eagerly about the resting-place for the 



