CHAPTER XLI.
There is no longer any room for doubt, for, although the King has neither said anything to us, nor sent for us, nor paid us a visit, his subjects are in a state of great excitement—the Monbuttoos are preparing for a long campaign. The market, through which we have just strolled, is even more than usually bustling. Munza's lieutenants lay violent hands on all eatables, which are placed without delay on the shoulders of a whole army of slaves, who incontinently carry them off to the palace. Indeed, we gave way to a momentary fear that we should be left unprovided for, but, as soon as ever the officers saw us, they made way for us with the utmost respect. It is quite clear that we have risen considerably in their opinion. Strangers on whom the King bestows his eighty favourite wives are evidently personages worthy of all consideration, and to use a homely expression, not to be sneezed at. We manage, therefore, to become purchasers on a large scale, a very necessary proceeding, in case we should quarrel with Munza on the way, or his army, as will probably be the case, should squander its supplies. It is not prudent to rely too much on the forethought of people who, if provisions in the ordinary style fail them, have always a delicacy in the shape of human flesh to fall back upon.
When we reached our encampment again, we commenced to make our preparations as if we were destined to set out on the following day. In Africa a war intended is a war begun; there are no such things as consulting one's neighbours, forming alliances, issuing manifestoes, or summoning all the diplomatists of the continent to a formal conference; there is no flourish of trumpets to start with, or, rather, there are any number of flourishes of any number of trumpets; they fight, pillage, burn, kill, and eat—voila tout. In a few weeks the war is over; it is true that it breaks out afresh, but that happens in Europe also, as has been seen often enough and may be seen again any day.
The next thing we did was to take stock of our provisions, merchandise, and ammunition. Alas! The number of articles for exchange was sadly diminished; the rolls of iron wire, which our bearers had so laboriously struggled under in days gone by, were trifles now, a source of rejoicing to them, at any rate. Our cotton goods, once sufficient to clothe a whole tribe, would now scarcely serve to cover Munza's ex-wives, even if they were to take it into their heads to observe a little decency, an extravagance for which we are not likely to give them credit. We had gold and silver, indeed, but in a country where gold is held in small esteem, a sovereign would not buy a fowl. As for our drafts and bank notes, I think I can picture to myself the dismay of a negro, asked to part with a banana for a fifty pound note. But in spite of the state of poverty to which we are reduced, we shall manage, if we are not robbed of our last resources, to get to the end of our journey without begging by the road side.
Our ammunition is, thank goodness, plentiful. The Nubians have not wasted over-much powder in saluting the various villages we have passed through, and the shooting matches, necessary for the training of the men, and our expeditions after elephants, antelopes, and other game, do not appear to have made any excessive inroad on the number of our cartridges.
After having thus taken stock of things, we turned our attention to persons. Our escort is, as I have already said, far from being complete, but we can thoroughly rely on the men who are left. Our relative positions have changed, for, thanks to the King, we could, in case of need, do without their services altogether, whilst they, on the other hand, would never be able, without our help, to make their way back to their own country. In dread, therefore, of being left to themselves in the heart of the Monbuttoo country, they are obedient to a degree.
The servants and bearers share the feelings of the soldiers, and punishments are now unknown amongst us. If any one shows a sign of disobedience, he is threatened with expulsion from the camp, and on this hint he becomes amiable at once, and, in the matter of politeness, could give points to the most polished of Europeans. All the Monbuttoos, moreover, are fully cognizant of the fact that we are the friends of a very powerful monarch, and that a word from us would bring their heads off. When we left Khartoum we were simple travellers, to be abandoned, perhaps, as others have been; now we are looked upon as great chiefs, sultans, monarchs on leave in central Africa.
All things considered, we have no cause for complaint, and we may, without being accused of excessive rashness, take our flight to regions as yet unexplored.
Whilst masters and servants were striking the balance of the caravan, Joseph, who has his moments of inspiration, managed to discover a last remaining bottle of Jules Mumm, hidden away under the straw in a case thought to be empty.
We lost no time in drinking success to our future enterprise in the sparkling beverage of our beloved France.