304 
CHASING CANOES ON THE NILE. 
in charge of us orders to procure food by seizing any 
provisions they might find. Immediately any canoe 
came in sight, all our energy was applied to the oars. 
The " chase" on seeing us would double and race with 
all his might, till, finding it hopeless, he would strike 
his colours by standing up in his canoe, when a yell 
of delight burst from the conquerors, though still seve- 
ral hundred yards from the prize. No sooner did we 
come in contact than the prize was at once rudely 
boarded. Bark-cloths, liquor, beads, and spears were 
taken and concealed by our Wanyoro followers, while 
the poor owner looked on powerless. The sequel, 
however, was delightful : the Seedees, of their own 
accord, recovered all the stolen property from the 
hands of the Wanyoro, and restored it to the proper 
owners, who then laughed with ourselves at the joke. 
The largest canoe carried a ton and a half, and was 
hollowed out of the trunk of an immense tree — not 
made of planks, like those on the Victoria Nyanza. 
Our kit was placed in the centre, or formed a seat for 
us at the bow or stern. Some cows we had received 
from the king were sent by the land route, and had 
to pass through a boisterous people, who twice tried 
to plunder them. While a few goats were in charge 
of my valet Uledi, four Wachopeh threw their spears 
at him. He could not see the men coming on account 
of the long grass, but he captured a spear and a stick, 
losing none of his herd, thus showing his tact and 
bravery. He carried an unloaded gun, with ten 
rounds in his pouch ; also a spear, which he broke 
by throwing at the enemy. We fortunately caught 
another thief driving away our goats to the jungle. 
Two of our men brought him into camp with his arms 
