UGANDA AND WEST SIDE OF VICTORIA NYANZA. 269 
Tlien two men came towards us, and began to drive 
some cows away that were grazing between us and the 
men on the hill. Safeni asked one of them, “ Why do 
you do that ? ” 
“ Because we are going to begin fighting presently, 
and if you are men, you may begin to prepare your' 
selves,” he said scornfully. 
“ Thanks, my bold friend,” I muttered .to myself. 
“ Those are the truest words we have heard to-day.” 
The two men were retiring up the hill. “ Here, 
Safeni,” I said, “ take these two fine red cloths in your 
hand ; walk slowly up after them a little way, and the 
minute you hear my voice run back ; and you, my boys, 
this is for life and death, mind ; range yourselves on 
each side of the boat, lay your hands on it carelessly, 
but with a firm grip, and when I give the word, push it 
with the force of a hundred men down the hill into the 
water. Are you all ready, and do you think you can 
do it ? Otherwise we might as well begin fighting 
where we are.” 
“ Yes, Inshallah Master,” they cried out with one 
voice. 
“ Go, Safeni ! 
I waited until he had walked fifty yards away, and 
saw that he acted precisely as I had instructed him. 
“ Push, my boys ; push for your lives ! ” 
The crew bent their heads and strained their arms ; 
the boat began to move, and there was a hissing, grind- 
ing noise below me. I seized my double-barrelled 
elephant rifle and shouted, “ Safeni ! Safeni, return ! ” 
The natives were quick-eyed. They saw the boat 
moving, and with one accord they swept down the hill 
uttering the most fearful cries. 
My boat was at the water’s edge. “ Shoot her into 
the lake, my men ; never mind the water ; ” and clear 
of all obstructions she darted out upon the lake. 
Safeni stood for an instant on the water’s edge, with 
the cloths in his hand. The foremost of a crowd of 
natives was about twenty yards from him. He raised 
his spear and balanced himself. 
