UGANDA AND WEST SIDE OF VICTORIA NYANZA. 267 
master, there . is no fear. They say we must stop here 
until to-morrow.” 
“ Will they sell us food ? ” 
“ Oh, yes, as soon as they settle their sliauri.” 
While Safeni was speaking, six men rushed up and 
seized the oars. 
Safeni, though hitherto politic, lost temper at this, 
and endeavoured to prevent them. They raised their 
clubs to strike him. I shouted, “Let them go, Safeni.” 
A loud cheer greeted the seizure of the oars. I 
became convinced now that this one little act would 
lead to others ; for man is the same all over the world. 
Set a beggar on horseback, and he will ride to the 
devil ; give a slave an inch, and he will take an ell ; if 
a man submit once, he must be prepared to submit 
again. 
The “ shauri ” proceeded. Another messenger came, 
demanding five cloths and five fundo of necklaces. 
They were delivered. But as it was now near noon, 
and they were assured we could not escape, the savages 
withdrew to their nearest village to refresh themselves 
with wine and food. 
After the warriors had departed, some women came 
to look at us. We spoke kindly to them, and in return 
they gave us the consoling assurance that we should be 
killed ; but they said that if we could induce Shekka to 
make blood-brotherliood, or to eat honey with one of 
us, we should be safe. If we failed, there was only 
flight or death. We thanked them, but we would wait. 
About 3 p.m. we heard a number of drums beaten. 
Safeni was told that if the natives collected again he 
must endeavour to induce Shekka with gifts to go 
through the process of blood-brotherhood. 
A long line of natives in full war costume appeared 
on the crest of the terrace, on which the banana grove 
and village of Kajurri stood. Their faces were smeared 
with black and white pigments. Almost all of them 
bore the peculiar shields of Usongora. Their actions 
were such as the dullest-witted of us recognized as 
indicating hostilities. 
