1 62 Wanderings in Eastern Africa. 
who the leading men among the Gallas really were. 
Africans will not give the correct information at once. 
This is so universally the case that I have come to 
doubt all first statements ; at any rate, I never accept 
them until I have thoroughly sifted them. The atti- 
tude the African assumes in the presence of a stranger 
is a defensive one, and may be stated thus. Who 
are you," he seems to say, that I should answer all 
your questions 1 Why should I tell you all about 
ourselves, our country, our possessions, our govern- 
ment, our homes t How should I know what you 
are, or what your object is } For aught I know you 
may be a spy, and may turn out a bitter foe. You 
think I'm a fool, but Fm not. You want to know too 
much ; don't you wish you may get it } If you think 
you are going to cheat me you are mistaken. Get 
the truth from me if you can." So it generally 
happens that the first information you obtain is not 
reliable. 
By dint of questioning and cross-questioning, how- 
ever, you may, in the end, get at the truth. We had 
work enough to do in this way now, but after a while 
the people became more communicative. We were 
anxious to ascertain, first of all, who was the real chief 
of the Gallas, in order that we might open communi- 
cations with him at once. But upon this subject the 
people were especially reticent, evasive, and indisposed 
to give correct information. Hemmet bin Sayid, head- 
man of Mambrui, who professed great willingness to 
serve us, was as uncertain as the rest. Name after 
name was given which we had to reject .At length we 
learned that a bond fide chief for the time being was 
wanting. The Gallas elect their chiefs from five dis- 
