CHAP. IV.] 
CROSS-EXAMINATION. 
161 
Arabic. I was delighted to find an interpreter, and 
requesting him to tell the crowd to stand back, I 
inquired for their chief. The humpback spoke very 
little Arabic, nor did the crowd appear to heed him, 
but they immediately stole a spear that one of my 
Latooka guides had placed against the tree under 
which we were sitting. It was getting rather un¬ 
pleasant ; but having my revolver and a double- 
barrelled rifle in my hands, there was no fear of their 
being stolen. 
In reply to a question to the humpback, he asked 
me “ Who I was ? 77 I explained that I was a traveller. 
“You want ivory ? 77 he said. “No/ 7 I answered, “it 
is of no use to me. 77 “ Ah, you want slaves 1 77 he 
replied. “ Neither do I want slaves, 77 I answered. 
This was followed by a burst of laughter from the 
crowd, and the humpback continued his examination. 
“Have you got plenty of cows? 77 “Not one; but 
plenty of beads and copper. 77 “ Plenty ? Where are 
they ? 77 “ Not far off; they will be here presently 
with my men; 77 and I pointed to the direction from 
which they would arrive. “ What countryman are 
you ? 77 “ An Englishman. 7 He had never heard of 
such people. “You are a Turk? 77 “All right, 77 I 
replied; “I am anything you like. 77 “And that is 
your son? 77 (pointing at Mrs. Baker.) “No, she is 
VOL. I. M 
