Without Loss Of Time I Wrote Off To Grant, And Got These
Men To Carry The Letter.
Next day (22d) the Wasui from Suwarora arrived.
They were a very
gentle, nice-dispositioned-looking set of men - small, but well
knit together. They advanced to my tent with much seeming grace;
then knelt at my feet, and began clapping their hands together,
saying, at the same time, "My great chief, my great chief, I hope
you are well; for Suwarora, having heard of your detention here,
has sent us over to assure you that all those reports that have
been circulated regarding his ill-treatment of caravans are
without foundation; he is sorry for what has happened to deter
your march, and hopes you will at once come to visit him." I
then told them all that had happened - how Grant and myself were
situated - and begged them to assist me by going off to Grant's
camp to inspire all the men there with confidence, and bring my
rear property to me - saying, as they agreed to do so, "Here are
some cloths and some beads for your expenses, and when you return
I will give you more." Baraka at once, seeing this, told me they
were not trustworthy, for at Mihambo an old man had come there
and tried to inveigle him in the same manner, but he kicked him
out of the camp, because he knew he was a touter, who wished
merely to allure him with sweet words to fleece him afterwards.
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