WE SCARE THE NATIVES 
107 
strange proceeding from an island about half a mile off. Loud 
and vociferous came the shouting from the invisible men in the 
reeds. They knew well enough that we were Matabele, and 
the terrible animals (our donkeys) that accompanied us ; what 
were they for but to tear them to pieces if they came near us ? 
White men indeed—where were the white men ? The donkeys 
like quaggas indeed—hu ! hu ! bring them on the bank, and let 
the white men show their skins. Why, if they are white men, do 
they go covered ? Let them see our boys handle the donkeys, 
hu, hu, yelah, yelalalala! Lies, lies—we spit, we spit! Driven to 
extremes, Hammar and I disrobed; and taking the faithful 
Jumbo, our biggest donkey, with us, we stood naked on the 
bank, caressing the animal to show how harmless a beast he was. 
Gaining a little confidence at last, some men in a canoe ventured 
to the edge of the reeds to inspect the unusual picture before 
them, when Jumbo, who evidently realised that he was an 
important factor in the proceedings, thought that it was time 
that he also should add his note of persuasions to the general 
clamour, and belched forth a preliminary roar to his usual hee¬ 
haw, that sent the boatmen nearly frantic with fright as they 
hastily retreated into the friendly cover of the silent reeds. 
Spite of the gravity of our position, we fairly shrieked with 
laughter at this unexpected termination of our efforts to make 
friends. Jumbo was sent off to graze in disgrace with his com¬ 
panions Sarah and Jack, and we gave it up for the day. 
Early on the following morning we saw a great gathering of 
natives on the island before mentioned, and renewed the 
palaver, suggesting that they should send a canoe over to us, in 
which we would let one of our boys go to them to explain. 
With much caution at last the nose of a canoe came out of the 
reeds on our right into the space of open water before us, 
occupied by the man of stentorian lungs and another 
equally timid individual, evidently acting under orders from 
their chief. Telling the boys to sit without moving a muscle, so 
as not to scare the visitors away, I called' for a volunteer, when 
Chiki immediately came forward and stood expectantly on the 
