CHAPTER VII.
RETURN TO M’THARA.
An ivory “shauri”—Death of Sadi ben Heri and his companions—Purchasing ivory—El Hakim and I return to M’thara—A night in the open—George ill—The Wa’M’thara at their old tricks—Return of the Somalis from Chanjai—They refuse to return to Embe—I interview an elephant.
In the afternoon Bei-Munithu paid us a visit in order to hear our version of what had happened at G’nainu. He listened attentively to our recital without making any comment. When we had concluded he informed us that he also had sent spies back to G’nainu, as, in addition to our five men, eleven of his own who had accompanied them were missing.
We learnt further that the natives of a village about two hours’ march distant wished to sell us a tusk of ivory. We heartened considerably at that, and asked Bei-Munithu to bring the owner along to talk it over. He thereupon withdrew, presently returning with a very aged and decrepit man, who tottered forward by the aid of a staff, whom he introduced to us as the owner of the tusk. We politely begged the venerable gentleman to seat himself, and waited till it pleased him to open negotiations. In a few moments he had collected enough energy to speak, and producing a reed some six feet long, indicated that that was the measurement of the tusk.
“Very well,” we said. “It seems a good tusk. How much do you want for it?”
After a little thought he remarked that one cow and three sheep would be considered a very fair return.
“All right,” said we; “if the tusk is all it is represented to be, we will give even the price asked, in order to save the trouble of a long ‘shauri.’ But first let us see the tusk.”
He assented to this, and in a little while rose and retired, presumably to bring the tusk. For over two hours we waited expectantly, but he did not return, and we were just thinking of sending over to Bei-Munithu for an explanation when that gentleman himself appeared, leading forward a native still more ancient than our former visitor. This latter individual slowly seated himself in front of our tent and solemnly chewed a twig which he drew from a bundle of similar ones carried in his belt.[6] The ancient gentleman munched away for some minutes, and finally condescended to speak. He announced, between chews, that he owned a tusk of ivory which he wished to sell us. We, metaphorically, hugged ourselves. Two tusks in one afternoon! But we received a rude shock when the interpreter informed us that the old gentleman was referring to the same tusk.
“Why,” we explained, “the owner has already called upon us, and we have completed the bargain.”
“Oh no,” said the old savage, “that was a young man sent to bargain with you” (practically testing the market). “I am the owner.”