In The Evening, Kidgwiga, At The Head
Of His Brave Army, Made One Of Their Theatrical Charges On "Bana"
With
Spear and shield, swearing they would never desert him on
the march, but would die to a man if it
Were necessary; and if
they deserted him, then might they be deprived of their heads, or
of other personal possessions not much less valuable.
Just as we were ready for crossing the river, a line of Kidi men
was descried filing through the jungle on the opposite side,
making their way for a new-moon visit to Rionga, who occasionally
leads them into battle against Ukero. The last time they fought,
two men only were killed on Kamrasi's side, whilst nine fell on
Rionga's. There was little done besides crossing, for the last
cow was brought across as sunset - the ferrying-toll for the whole
being one cow, besides a present of beads to the head officer.
Kidgwiga's party sacrificed two kids, one on either side the
river, flaying them with one long cut each down their breasts and
bellies. These animals were then, spread-eagle fashion, laid on
their backs upon grass and twigs, to be steeped over by the
travellers, that their journey might be prosperous; and the spot
selected for the ordeal was chosen in deference to the Mzimu, or
spirit - a sort of wizard or ecclesiastical patriarch, whose
functions were devoted to the falls.
After a soaking night, we were kept waiting till noon for the
forty porters ordered by Kamrasi, to carry our property to the
vessels wherever they might be. Only twenty-five men arrived,
notwithstanding the wife and one slave belonging to a local
officer, who would not supply the men required of him, were
seized and confiscated by Ukero, of Wire. We now mustered twenty
Wanguana, twenty-five country porters, and thirty-one of
Kidgwiga's "children" - making a total, with ourselves, of
seventy-eight souls. By a late arrival a message came from
Kamrasi. Its import was, that we must defer the march, as it was
reported the refractory brother Rionga harboured designs of
molesting us on the way, and therefore the king conceived it
prudent to clear the road by first fighting him. Without heeding
this cunning advice, we made a short march across swamps, and
through thick jungle and long grasses, which proved anything but
pleasant - wet and labouring hard all the way.
It was a rainy day, and we had still to toil on fighting with the
grasses. We marched up the wet margin of swamp all day, crossing
the water at a fork near the end. The same jungle prevails on
all sides, excluding all view; and the only signs of man's
existence in these wilds lay in the meagre path, which is often
lost, and an occasional hut or two, the temporary residence of
the sporting Kidi people.
After toiling five miles through the same terrible grasses, and
crossing swamp after swamp, we were at last rewarded by a
striking view.
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