110 
TOMBE THE CHIEF. 
[chap, iy. 
The curiosity of the crowd was becoming imper¬ 
tinent, when at an opportune moment the chief 
appeared. To my astonishment I recognised him as 
a man who had often visited me at G-ondokoro, to 
whom I had given many presents without knowing 
his position. 
In a few moments he drove away the crowd, 
screaming and gesticulating at them as though greatly 
insulted ; reserving the humpback as interpreter, he 
apologized for the rudeness of his people. Just at this 
instant I perceived, in the distance, the English flag 
leading the caravan of camels and donkeys from the 
hillside into the valley, and my people and baggage 
shortly arrived. The chief now brought me a large 
pumpkin-shell containing about a gallon of merissa, 
or native beer, which was most refreshing. He also 
brought a gourd-bottle full of honey, and an ele¬ 
phants tusk; the latter I declined, as ivory was not 
required. 
We were now within six miles of Ellyria, and by 
means of the humpback I explained to Tombe, the 
chief, that we wished to start the first thing in the 
morning, and that I would engage the humpback as 
interpreter. This was agreed upon, and I now had 
hopes of getting through Ellyria before the arrival 
of the Turks. My caravan having arrived, the interest 
first bestowed upon the horses, as being a new kind 
of animal, was now transferred to the camels. The 
natives crowded round them, exclaiming, “ that they 
were the giraffes of our country.” They were amazed 
at the loads that they carried, and many assisted in 
unloading. 
I noticed, however, that they stuck their fingers 
through the baskets to investigate the contents; and 
when they perceived twenty baskets full of beads, 
and many of copper bracelets—the jingling of which 
betrayed the contents—they became rather too eager 
in lending a helping hand; therefore I told the chief 
to order his men to retire while I opened one bag 
