350 Wanderings in Eastern Africa, 
undergrowth of saplings and creepers, to prevent an 
entrance being made. Besides, I could not help 
thinking what an excellent bonfire the whole thing 
would make. Apply a light, and it would blaze 
away like a box of matches ^ 
However, we had to pause, and, our guns being fired* 
in a little while some of the people came to demand 
who we were, when the following colloquy ensued 
between the Tavetas and our guide : — 
Who's there " 
Me." 
" Who are you " 
*'Who diXQ you that you don't know me } " 
Ah ! how should we know everybody 1 " 
" Oh ! oh ! Tm the man that brought a Mzungu 
(the Baron von der Decken) here some years ago." 
Ah ! he that frightened us so much 1 " 
" What do you mean } I have brought another 
Mzungu to-day/' 
" The same that came before } " 
No, another." 
" Well, then, pay the toll." 
" All right, open the door." 
" Pay toll first." 
What ! have you lost your senses } " 
Pay toll first." 
This was communicated to me. I directed the 
guide to pay what was right ; but when an offer was 
made, as much again was demanded. We demurred. 
**Then you can't pass this way," was the curt 
reply ; " you will have to sleep in the woods all 
night." 
The amount claimed was about two dollars' 
