Meanwhile The Little Sheikh, Who Always Carried A
Sword Fully Two-Thirds The Length Of Himself, Commenced Casting
Bullets For
His double-barrelled rifle, ordered the Wanguana to
load their guns, and came wheedling up to me for one more
Cloth,
as it was no use hazarding the expedition's safety for four yards
of cloth. This is a fair specimen of tax-gathering, within
twelve miles of the coast, by a native who claims the protection
of Zanzibar. We shall soon see what they are further on. The
result of experience is, that, ardent as the traveller is to see
the interior of Africa, no sooner has he dealings with the
natives, than his whole thoughts tend to discovering some road
where he won't be molested, or a short cut, but long march, to
get over the ground.
Quite undisturbed, we packed and marched as usual, and soon
passed Nzasa close to the river, which is only indicated by a
line of trees running through a rich alluvial valley. We camped
at the little settlement of Kizoto, inhospitably presided over by
Phanze Mukia ya Nyani or Monkey's Tail, who no sooner heard of
our arrival than he sent a demand for his "rights." One dubani
was issued, with orders than no one need approach me again,
unless he wanted to smell my powder. Two taxes in five miles was
a thing unheard of; and I heard no more about the matter, until
Bombay in the evening told me how Sheikh Said, fearing awkward
consequences, had settled to give two dubuani, one being taken
from his own store.
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