528 
AFRICA AND ITS EXPLORATION. 
through the miserable attenuation which the poor grass 
of the western region had wrought in his frame to 
struggle further. We could only pat him on the neck 
and say, “ Good-bye, old boy ; farewell, old hero ! A 
bad world this for you and for us. We must part at last.” 
The poor animal appeared to know that we were leaving 
him, for he neighed after us — a sickly, quavering neigh, 
that betrayed his excessive weakness. When we last 
turned to look at him he was lying on the path, but 
looking up the hill with pointed ears, as though he 
were wondering why he was left alone, and whither his 
human friends and companions by flood and field were 
wandering. 
After charging the chief of Mbinda to feed him with 
O O 
cassava leaves and good grass from his fields, I led the 
caravan over the serried levels of the lofty upland. 
At the end of this district, al tout a mile from Mwato 
Wanclu, we appeared before a village whose inhabitants 
permitted us to pass on for a little distance, when they 
suddenly called out to us with expostulatory tones at an 
almost shrieking pitch. The old chief, followed by about 
fifty men, about forty of whom carried guns, hurried up 
to me and sat down in the road. 
In a composed and consequential tone he asked, 
“ Know you I am the king of this country ? ” 
I answered mildly, “ I knew it not, my brother.” 
“ I am the king, and how can you pass through my 
country without paying me ? ” 
“ Speak, my friend ; what is it the Mundele can give 
o n 
you { 
“ Rum. I want a big bottle of rum, and then you 
can pass on.” 
“ Rum % ” 
“ Yes, rum — for I am the king of this country ! ” 
“ Rum ! ” I replied wonderingly. 
cc Rum ; rum is good. I love rum,” he said, with a 
villainous leer. 
Uledi, coming forward, impetuously asked, “ What 
does this old man want, master ? ” 
“ He wants rum, Uledi. Think of it ! ” 
