第 80 节
作者:巴乔的中场      更新:2021-02-20 18:12      字数:9321
  his orders。
  〃I told him that my troops were lambs if well fed; but they were like
  lions if hungry; and to prove their number I would summon them before
  him。
  〃The bugle sounded the 'taboor;' and upwards of 100 men immediately fell
  in with bayonets fixed; to the no small dismay of Quonga and his sheiks;
  who began to look very uneasy at the scarlet uniforms。 By a coup de
  theatre; I marched the men; with bugles and drums playing; round the
  numerous huts; so that they reappeared twice before the tent; and thus
  doubled their real number。
  〃At the halt and dismissal; they shouted their usual wild cry in
  Turkish; in honour of their commander。
  〃'Do you understand what they say?' I asked Quonga。 To his negative
  reply; I answered; 'They say they will eat from the country if
  provisions are not supplied to…morrow!'
  〃Quonga and his sheiks started off immediately to give the necessary
  orders。
  〃Upon his return I told him 'to advise Kabba Rega to behave in a
  different manner to the conduct of his father; the late Kamrasi。 I had
  returned to this country to bestow prosperity upon the land; that if
  Kabba Rega meant fair dealing and legitimate trade; he must act
  honourably and sincerely; if I should find any signs of unfairness; I
  should pass on direct to Uganda; the Country of M'tese; and he would
  receive the goods I had intended for Unyoro。'
  〃Negroes are great deceivers; especially the natives of Unyoro。 I have
  beads; cattle; merchandise; and every article necessary to purchase
  flour and potatoes: nevertheless; our wants are not supplied。 The cattle
  are dying; as the change of herbage does not agree with them; this is a
  sad loss。  (One of the African difficulties consists in the mortality
  of the cattle when changing districts。)
  〃March 28。 The great sheik; Lokara; who is the commander…in…chief of
  Kabba Rega's forces; arrived。 This man has left a large army on the
  banks of the Nile; a few hours' march up stream; ready to attack Rionga;
  who is settled; with his people; on an island in the river。 Of course he
  is come to request military aid。 This is the old story。 Upon my last
  visit I was bored almost to death by Kamrasi; with requests that I would
  assist him to attack Rionga。 I have only been here for a few days when I
  am troubled with the old tune。
  〃March 29。 Provisions are very scarce; the people have been fighting
  for so many years that cultivation has been much neglected; and the
  natives live principally upon plantains。
  〃I gave Suleiman; the vakeel; five cows yesterday。 He declares that Abou
  Saood told him that my term of service with the Egyptian government had
  expired; therefore the entire country was now in his hands。 This liar;
  Abou Saood; will some day reap the fruits of his treachery。
  〃I ordered the government flag to be hoisted in Suleiman's camp; and the
  vakeel; Suleiman; called upon all those who were willing to enlist in
  the service of the Khedive to assemble beneath the ensign。 Sixty…one men
  registered their names。
  〃The only difficulty is the rate of wages。 I offer the privates sixty
  piastres  (the piastre equals twopence…halfpenny) per month; i。e。;
  thirty piastres as equal pay to that of the regulars; and thirty
  piastres in lieu of clothes。 Formerly these brigands nominally received
  fifty and fifty…five piastres; in addition to one third of all cattle
  that might be captured in razzias。
  〃Should I be able to establish a small irregular corps as a
  commencement; the expense would be considerable in proportion to the
  actual proceeds in ivory。 The position is difficult。
  〃A radical change throughout the country is absolutely necessary。 The
  companies have hitherto purchased ivory with slaves and cattle; thus all
  countries in which this custom has been established; must be abandoned
  until the natives will sell ivory in exchange for goods。
  〃The expenses will continue; or perhaps augment; while the ivory produce
  must decrease for the first twelve months; or until the people will
  understand and accept the reform。
  〃Without an irregular force it will be impossible to hold the country;
  and at the same time to carry on the work of government。 The force that
  I originally proposed; of 1;650; is absolutely required to occupy a
  chain of stations from Gondokoro。
  〃March 30。The cows are dying in great numbers; and the natives are
  bringing large quantities of potatoes in exchange for the flesh; but
  there is no corn in the country。
  〃The days and nights are now cloudy and showery。
  〃Lokara and Quonga came this morning; but no messenger has yet arrived
  from Kabba Rega。
  〃I gave Lokara a blue shirt; a long red sash; and a crimson fez; to his
  great delight。 The chiefs were much struck with the present intended for
  Kabba Rega; this consisted of three rows of roman pearls as large as
  marbles; with a gilt shield; and onyx…pendant tied up with green satin
  ribbon。
  〃March 31。I sent all the cattle across the river in charge of Quonga;
  two were carried off by crocodiles while in the act of swimming。
  〃The great sheiks paid me a visit; together with many of inferior rank。
  Lokara; Quonga; Matonse; and Pittia; were among the principal chiefs of
  the country。 As they were sitting before me; Lokara lighted a huge pipe
  and immediately commenced smoking。 This is a great breach of etiquette;
  as smoking is strictly forbidden in the presence of Kabba Rega。
  〃My old Cairo dragoman; Mohammed; who was now thoroughly installed as
  one of the expedition; was well up in the customs of the country; and he
  quietly resented the insult of the pipe。
  〃He gently approached with a bottle of water; which he poured politely
  into the bowl; as though he was conferring a favour; at the same time;
  he explained that in my presence every one smoked water instead of
  tobacco。 The hint was immediately taken; and the huge pipe; thus
  summarily extinguished; was handed to a slave in attendance。
  〃We now entered upon geographical discussions。 All the chiefs declared
  that the M'wootan N'zige extends beyond Karagwe; and that it exceeds the
  Victoria N'yanza in size。 The native name; in Unyoro; for the Victoria
  N'yanza is simply N'yanza; and for the White Nile; Masaba。
  〃There is a country called Barega on the Albert N'yanza; south…west of
  Uganda; governed by a powerful king whose people are armed with bows;
  and arrows that are feathered。 I have never yet seen feathered arrows
  among the White Nile tribes。
  〃The great mountain Bartooma is again mentioned; as on my former
  journey。 I imagine it must be identical with the M'fumbiro of Speke。
  〃I shall send an expedition front Magungo to Ibrahimeyah by river to
  prove the capabilities of the route。 I shall form a station at Magungo
  to trade with Malegga on the opposite shore。 I shall then thoroughly
  explore the Albert N'yanza in boats; and afterwards proceed to King
  M'tese of Uganda 。 。 。 。
  〃It rained last evening and during the night。 Seven cows died。 I have
  erected a comfortable stable for the horses。
  〃April 1。The people belonging to Suleiman hesitate to accept the
  government pay; although a day or two ago they enlisted。 I fear that
  these people can never be trusted。 I shall give them a little time to
  consider; after which; if they refuse to serve; I shall turn them out of
  the country。 Every camp or zareeba is course full of slaves。
  〃There is a curious custom throughout Unyoro: a peculiar caste are
  cattle…keepers。 These people only attend to the herds; and the
  profession is inherited from past generations。 They are called Bohooma;
  and they are the direct descendants of the Gallas who originally
  conquered the country; and; like the reigning family; they are of an
  extremely light colour。 If the herds are carried off in battle; the
  Bohooma; who never carry arms; accompany; them to their new masters; and
  continue their employment。 Nothing but death will separate them from
  their cattle。
  〃April 2。The natives built a zareeba yesterday for the cattle; but
  they are dying as rapidly as upon the north side of the river。
  〃I tried to do a little geography with the sheik; Pittia。 He was the man
  who; some years ago; first gave me the information respecting the
  distance of the Albert N'yanza from M'rooli。 He would say nothing
  without orders from the king; beyond telling me that you might travel
  for months upon the lake。
  〃It is very annoying in this country that no information can be
  obtained; neither can any work be commenced; without the direct order of
  the king。 My patience is sorely tried。 No reply has as yet been
  delivered to my message sent to Kabba Rega; although ten days have
  elapsed。
  〃My desire is to benefit the country by opening the road for legitimate
  commerce; but the difficulties are great; as the king will endeavour to
  monopolize the market; and thus prevent free trade。
  〃April 3。I sent for all the great sheiks to complain of Kabba Rega's
  conduct。 This young fellow was evidently aping the manners of his
  father; Kamrasi; and attempting to show his own importance by keeping me
  waiting。 The sheiks explained; that before my arrival; Suleiman had
  agreed to furnish soldiers to assist the forces of Kabba Rega in a
  united attack upon Rionga; and the army was now only a short distance