118 
IN TREATY WITH MYONGA. 
dress could be obtained, because the offender was said 
to belong to a different village. But how were we to 
get away from these annoyances, which were exhaust- 
ing to one's strength and patience ? Our porters began 
to desert, saying, what was the use of staying there — 
there was nothing to eat ? I was almost driven to giving 
up a gun or more, as I had seen the country traversed 
without them ; but on reference to Speke, who lay pros- 
trated with sickness twelve miles from me, I was told 
on no account to give guns, but to settle the tax, and 
join him at any sacrifice. Some Seedees under Bar- 
aka, who had a great deal of native bluster about him, 
arrived with a bound and dash, bringing Speke's mes- 
sage ; and having armed himself and a dozen fol- 
lowers with ten rounds of ammunition each, Baraka 
went to the sultan, carrying an offer of forty fathoms of 
calico and ten wires of copper. The chief did not see 
why he should be treated so stingily! ' Other men of 
his rank get much handsomer presents ; he merely 
asks for twenty coloured cloths, no guns, but he must 
have four barrels of powder, and don't forget the gentle- 
man's blanket ! ' To settle the matter, as we had been 
delayed seven days, one case of gunpowder, double the 
quantity of cloth, the scarlet blanket, and a bundle of 
beads were sent sorrowfully, but in the full hope of 
success. No ; we could not leave his country till one 
case of powder was given ; so the case was rendered, 
and his men were requested to take it to him. They 
then got up a noise because a box of percussion -caps 
had been taken out, and before going to their sultan 
they requested each a cloth for their trouble. Baraka 
again went to appeal; the box of caps was not wanted; 
the men were rebuked; one goat was given by the sultan 
