Bombay
turned out to be honest and trusty, but slightly disposed to be
dilatory. Uledi did more talking than work; while the runaway
Ferajji and the useless-handed Mabruki Burton turned out to be true
men and staunch, carrying loads the sight of which would have caused
the strong-limbed hamals of Stamboul to sigh.
The saddles were excellent, surpassing expectation. The strong
hemp canvas bore its one hundred and fifty-pounds' burden with the
strength of bull hide, and the loading and unloading of
miscellaneous baggage was performed with systematic despatch. In
brief, there was nothing to regret - the success of the journey
proved our departure to be anything but premature.
The next three days were employed in putting the finishing touches
to our preparations for the long land journey and our precautions
against the Masika, which was now ominously near, and in settling
accounts.
Shamba Gonera means Gonera's Field. Gonera is a wealthy Indian
widow, well disposed towards the Wasungu (whites). She exports
much cloth, beads, and wire into the far interior, and imports
in return much ivory. Her house is after the model of the town
houses, with long sloping roof and projecting eaves, affording a
cool shade, under which the pagazis love to loiter. On its
southern and eastern side stretch the cultivated fields which
supply Bagamoyo with the staple grain, matama, of East Africa;
on the left grow Indian corn, and muhogo, a yam-like root of
whitish colour, called by some manioc; when dry, it is ground
and compounded into cakes similar to army slapjacks.
