i887.] 
Stay in Garenganze. 
199 
not loud enough to make them hear me, I called to my men in 
camp to come down that we might all shout together, and so 
cause them to hear us. All accordingly left the camp and joined 
me. We had only shouted once or twice when to my horror I 
heard a great noise in the direction of the camp, which seemed 
to be alive with howling demons. The truth was that the 
wild animals of the forest had taken advantage of our absence, 
rushed in, and were devouring the meat they found there. Some 
parts of a zebra were lying in the middle of the enclosure, and a 
family of hyenas, accompanied by two dog-leopards, were fighting 
and quarrelling over it. We had to act instantly ; and having no 
fire or guns in our hands, it was impossible to remain out of our 
shelters. So taking the lead, and calling to my men to come on, 
I rushed at full speed back to the camp. Taking care to avoid the 
doorway, we sprang over the little brush barricade, so alarming the 
animals with our shouts and yells that they left the meat and fled. 
Msidi took the opportunity of showing his friendship for me by 
sending some of his young men to compel the people to give corn 
to "his white man," and of course these young scamps robbed 
these people — as they always do under such circumstances — right 
and left. I showed my appreciation of such attention by bundling 
up and starting off home the next day. Among the dozen men 
with me I had a profitable time, as all were free at night to listen 
to all that was said, and they readily joined in conversation. The 
Seyek language, I find, will not be of much use beyond the 
capital. I see much work yet before me in acquiring languages ; 
on almost all hands different dialects are spoken. 
MSIDl'S RECEPTION-DAY. 
February ^th. — A company of Arab traders arrived here a few 
days ago. Yesterday being the reception-day for them, the king 
sent for me to come and sit by him; and many of his people 
came together. Each of the three Arab master-traders brought 
a handsome shawl with him, with which to deck Msidi. A 
military review was then held, after which speeches were made 
by the Arabs and by the king and his chiefs. 
Msidi then gave me an opportunity of speaking, which I would 
most gladly have taken had I been at all equal to it. I was glad, 
however, to find I was able to understand nearly all that was 
