302 
THE LATOOKAS SEIZE A GUN. 
[chap. VIII. 
brought, and a number of men appeared with grass 
and wood for sale for hut-building.” 
The following day, some of my people went to a 
neighbouring village to purchase corn, but the natives 
insulted them, refusing to sell, saying that “ we should 
die of hunger, as no one should either give or sell us 
anything.” This conduct must induce hostilities, as the 
Turks are too powerful to be insulted. I am rather 
anxious lest some expedition may entail the departure 
of the entire Turkish party, when the Latookas may 
seize the opportunity of attacking my innocents. The 
latter are now so thoroughly broken to my severe laws, 
“thou shalt not take slaves; neither cattle; nor fire a 
shot unless in self-defence,” that they are resigned to 
the ignoble lot of minding the donkeys, and guarding 
the camp. 
Latooka was in a very disturbed state, and the 
excitement of the people was increasing daily. Two 
of my men went into the town to buy grass, and, 
without any provocation, they were surrounded by 
the natives, and the gun of one man was wrested 
from him; the other, after a tussle, in which he 
lost his ramrod, beat a hasty retreat. A number of 
the soldiers immediately collected, and I sent to 
the chief to demand the restoration of the gun, 
which was returned that evening. I could literally 
