268 
AFRICA AND ITS EXPLORATION. 
Even Safeni and Baraka were astounded, and tlieir 
first words were, “ Prepare, master. Truly, this is 
trouble.” 
“ Never mind me,” I replied, “ I have been ready 
these three hours. Are you ready, your guns and 
revolvers loaded, and your ears open this time ? ” 
“We are,” they all firmly answered. 
“ Don’t be afraid ; be quite cool. We will try, while 
they are collecting together, the women’s suggestion. 
Go frankly and smilingly, Safeni, up to Shekka, on the 
top of that hill, and offer him these three fundo of beads, 
and ask him to exchange blood with you.” 
Safeni proceeded readily on his errand, for there was 
no danger to him bodily while we were there within 
150 yards, and 
their full power 
as yet , unpre- 
pared. For ten 
minutes he con- 
versed with them, 
while the drums 
kept b e a t i n g, 
and numbers of 
tjzimba house. men bepamted 
for war were in- 
creasing Shekka’s force. Some of them entertained us 
by demonstrating with their spears how they fought ; 
others whirled their clubs like tipsy Irishmen at Donny- 
brook fair. Their gestures were wild, their voices were 
shrill and fierce, they were kindling themselves into a 
fighting; fever. 
Safeni returned. Shekka had refused the pledge of 
peace. The natives now mustered over 300. 
Presently fifty bold fellows came rushing down, utter- 
ing a shrill cry. Without hesitation they came straight 
to the boat, and, hissing something to us, seized our 
Kiganda drum. It was such a small affair we did not 
resist ; still the manner in which it was taken completely 
undeceived us, if any small hope of peace remained. 
Loud applause greeted the act of gallantry. 
