CHAPTER IX.
THE TURKS ATTACK KAYALA.
The "Pleasant Robber" killed—Division of the Spoil—Discord among the
Natives—The Life of Women spared in War—Scarcity of Salt, among the
Latookas—Another Cause of Alarm—The Turks murder a Native—Country
disturbed—Good Sport—Two Thieves—Ibrahimawa's Reminiscences of
England—Party recalled to Obbo—White Ants—Destructiveness of Birds
—Cattle Stealers at Night—A Thief shot—My Wife ill with Fever—
March to Obbo—Great Puff Adder—Poison-fangs of Snakes—Violent
Storm—Arrive again at Obbo—Hostility caused by the Turks—The M.D.
attends us—Death of "Mouse"—Marauding Expedition—Saat becomes
scientific—Saat and Gaddum Her—Will England suppress the Slave
Trade?—Filthy Customs of the Natives—The Egyptian Scarabaeus—
Bacheeta, the Unyoro Slave—Intelligence of the Lake—Its probable
Commercial Advantages—Commerce with the Interior—Obbo the Clothing
Frontier—Death of my last Camel—Excellent Species of Gourd—A
Morning Call in Obbo—Katchiba's Musical Accomplishments—Loss of
remaining Donkey—Deceived by the Turks—Fever—Symptoms—Dismal
Prospect, "Coming Events," &c.
CHAPTER X.
LIFE AT OBBO.
Physician in General—Influence gained over the People—Katchiba is
applied to for Rain—"Are you a Rainmaker?"—Katchiba takes Counsel's
Opinion—Successful Case—Night-watch for Elephants—Elephant killed
—Dimensions of the Elephant—Wild Boars—Start for the South—Mrs.
Baker thrown from her Ox—The Asua River—Stalking Mehedehet Antelope
—A Prairie Fire—Tracking an Antelope—Turks' Standard-bearer killed
—Arrival at Shooa—The Neighbourhood of Shooa—Fruitfulness of Shooa
—Cultivation and Granaries—Absconding of Obbo Porters—"Wheels
within Wheels"—Difficulty in starting South—Departure from Shooa—
Fatiko Levee—Boundless Prairies—Fire the Prairies—Deceit of the
Guide—Arrive at the Victoria Nile—Arrive at Rionga's Country—Start
for Karuma—The Karuma Falls—Welcome by Kamrasi's People—Passage of
the River forbidden—To await Reply of Kamrasi—The Natives' Dread of
Kamrasi—They hold a Conference—Resolve to cross the River alone—
The Ferry of Atada—Reception by Keedja—I lull the Suspicions of the
Natives—Appellations of Speke and Grant—Freemasonry of Unyoro—
Native Curiosity—The Bark Cloth of Unyoro—Comparative Civilization
of Unyoros—Native Pottery—The Bottle Gourds used as Models—"Great
Men never in a Hurry to pay Visits"—Pronounced to be Speke's Brother—
The Escort cross the River—Neatness of the Natives in packing—Native
Manufactures—March parallel with the Victoria Nile—Severe Illness of
Mrs. Baker—March to the Capital—Kamrasi suspects Treachery—Arrive
at last at the Capital—Imprisoned on the Marsh—Expectation of an
Attack—Kamrasi makes a State Visit—Conversation with the King—His
Reception of my Presents—Another Interview with Kamrasi—Exchange
Blood and become Friends—Avarice of the King—Permitted to leave our
Fever-bed—Ibrahim and Party return North—Sulkiness of Bacheeta—
Attempt to barter for Speke's Rifle—Rapacity of the Chiefs.