Ramathani had two boys as assistants, Juma and Bilali. Juma was an M’kamba. His upper teeth were filed to sharp points, forming most useful weapons of offence, as we afterwards had occasion to notice.
Bilali was an M’Kikuyu, and a very willing boy. He was always very nervous when in our presence, and used to tremble excessively when laying the table for meals. When gently reproved for putting dirty knives or cups on the table, he would grow quite ludicrous in his hurried efforts to clean the articles mentioned, and would spit on them and rub them with the hem of his dirty robe with a pathetic eagerness to please that disarmed indignation and turned away wrath.
Having finally secured our men, it only remained to pack up and distribute the loads of equipment, provisions, trade goods, etc. We did not take such a large quantity of trade goods as we should have done in the ordinary course, as El Hakim already had a large quantity in charge of a chief in North Kenia. The following is a list, compiled from memory, of what we took with us:—
Unguo (Cloth).
| 2 | loads | Merikani (American sheeting). |
| 2 | ” | kisuto (red and blue check cloths). |
| 2 | ” | blanketi (blankets, coloured). |
| 1 | load | various, including— |
| gumti (a coarse white cloth). | ||
| laissoes (coloured cloths worn by women). | ||
| kekois (coloured cloth worn by men). | ||
Uzi Wa Madini (Wire).
| seninge (iron wire, No. 6). | ||
| 2 or 3 loads of | masango (copper wire, No. 6). | |
| masango n’eupe (brass wire, No. 6). |
Ushanga (Beads).
| sem Sem (small red Masai beads). | ||
| 2 or 3 loads of | sembaj (white Masai beads). | |
| ukuta (large white opaque beads). | ||
| 2 loads of mixed Venetian beads. | ||
When all the loads were packed, they were placed in a line on the ground; and falling the men in, we told off each to the load we thought best suited to him. To the Swahilis, being good marching men and not apt to straggle on the road, we apportioned our personal equipment, tents, blankets, and table utensils. To the Wa’Nyamwezi we entrusted the ammunition and provisions, and to the Wa’kamba we gave the loads of wire, beads, cloth, etc. Having settled this to our own satisfaction, we considered the matter settled, and ordered each man to take up his load.