403 
THE TURKS BEGIN TO BULLY. 
[chap. XV 
would assuredly destroy liis country after my depar¬ 
ture. Of course lie requested me never to think of 
leaving him, but to take up my abode for life in 
Kitwara, promising me all that I should require in 
addition to a large territory. I replied that the 
climate did not agree with me, and that nothing would 
induce me to remain, but that, as the boats would not 
arrive at Gondokoro for six months (until February), I 
might as well reside with him as anywhere else. At 
the same time, I assured him that his professed friend¬ 
ship for me was a delusion, as he only regarded me as 
a shield between him and danger. After a long conver¬ 
sation, I succeeded in persuading him not to interfere 
in matters regarding prisoners of war, and to look 
upon Eddrees only as a vakeel until Ibrahim should 
arrive. He left my hut promising not to mention 
the affair again; but the next day he sent Cassave to 
Eddrees, demanding two of the prettiest women who 
were captives. In reply, Eddrees, who was an extremely 
hot-headed fellow, went straight to Kamrasi, and spoke 
to him in a most insulting manner refusing his request. 
The king immediately rose from his seat and turned 
his back upon the offender. Off rushed Eddrees, boiling 
with passion, to his camp, summoned his men well 
armed, and marched straight towards the residence 
of Kamrasi to demand satisfaction for the affront. 
Fortunately, my vakeel brought me the intelligence, 
and I sent after him, ordering his immediate return, 
and declaring that no one should break the peace so 
long as I was in the country. In about ten minutes, 
both he and his men slunk back ashamed, mutually 
accusing each other as is usual in cases of failure. 
This was an instance of the madness of these Turks 
in assuming the offensive, when, in the event of a fight, 
defeat must have been certain. They were positively 
without ammunition! having fired away all their 
cartridges except about five rounds for each man in 
the attack upon Fowooka. Fortunately, this was 
unknown to Kamrasi. 1 had a large supply, as my 
