THE RIVER THAT FLOWED NORTH , NORTH, NORTH 399 
“ That number would be a grand escort, amply suffi- 
cient, if well managed, to ensure perfect protection.” 
“ Yes, united with your party, it would be a very 
strong force ; but how would it be when I returned 
alone ? The natives would say, seeing only my little 
force, ‘ These people have been fighting — half of them 
are killed, because they have no ivory with them ; let us 
finish them ! ’ I know, my friend, these savages very 
well, and I tell you that that would be their way of 
thinking.” 
“ But, my friend,” said I, “ think how it would be 
with me, with all the continent before me, and only pro- 
tected by my little band ! ” 
“ Ah, yes ! if you Wasungu ” 
(white men) “ are desirous of 
throwing away your lives, it is 
no reason we Arabs should. 
We travel little by little to get 
ivory and slaves, and are years 
about it — it is now nine years 
since I left Zanzibar— but you 
white men only look for rivers 
and lakes and mountains, and 
you spend your lives for no 
reason, and to no purpose. Look 
at that old man who died in Bisa ! What did he seek 
year after year, until he became so old that he could 
not travel ? He had no money, for he never gave 
any of us anything, he bought no ivory or slaves, 
yet he travelled farther than any of us, and for 
what ? ” 
“ I know I have no right to expect you to risk your 
life for me. I only wish you to accompany me sixty 
days’ journey, then leave' me to myself. If sixty days’ 
journey is too far, half that distance will do ; all I am 
anxious for is my people. You know the Wangwana are 
easily swayed by fear, but if they hear that Tippu-Tib 
has joined me, and is about to accompany me, every man 
will have a lion’s courage.” 
“ Well, I will think of it to-night, and hold a shauri 
NATIVE OF EHYEYA. 
