In Vain I Appealed To His Mercy, Declaring That The Only Chance
Left Me Of Saving My Life Would Be From The Change Of Air In The
Hammock As I Marched Along.
He would not listen, professing
humanity, whilst he meant plunder; and I now found that he was
determined not to beat the drum until I had paid him some more,
which he was to think over and settle next day.
When the next
day came, he would not come near me, as he said I must possess a
deole, otherwise I would not venture on to Karague; for nobody
ever yet "saw" Rumanika without one. This suspension of business
was worse than the rows; I felt very miserable, and became worse.
At last, on my offering him anything that he might consider an
equivalent for the deole if he would but beat the drums of
satisfaction, he said I might consider myself his prisoner
instead of his guest if I persisted in my obstinacy in not giving
him Rumanika's deole; and then again peremptorily ordered all of
his subjects not to assist me in moving a load. After this,
veering round for a moment on the generous tack, he offered me a
cow, which I declined.
1st to 4th. - Still I rejected the offered cow, until the 2nd,
when, finding him as dogged as ever, at the advice of my men I
accepted it, hoping thus to please him; but it was no use, for he
now said he must have two deoles, or he would never allow me to
leave his palace.
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