"That evening, after a heavy shower, we witnessed one of those
remarkable appearances of the winged white ants that issued from a mound
within a few yards of our tent. Millions of these large fat insects
struggled into their ephemeral flight, and were quickly caught by our
people with lighted wisps of straw. The ant disengages its wings a few
minutes after its appearance from the parent mound.
"The exodus from the ant-hill takes place annually at the commencement
of the rainy season, and the collection of the insects is considered to
be an important harvest throughout all Central Africa. The white ant, in
this stage of its existence, is esteemed as a great delicacy when fried
in a little butter.
"We tasted a considerable number, and found them tolerably good, but
with a slight flavour of burnt feathers.
"On April 11 we were ready to start, but at the last moment the vakeel,
Suleiman, who was to accompany us, excused himself until the next day,
as he had some important business to transact with his people. I
accordingly gave him permission to remain, but I ordered him to follow
me quickly, as it would be necessary to present him to Kabba Rega in his
new position as vakeel of the government." . . . .
It will now be necessary to explain the true position of affairs, which
at that time I did not suspect.
