第 92 节
作者:
巴乔的中场 更新:2021-02-20 18:12 字数:9321
delighted with Major Abdullah and his troops; as they were very
different from the slave…hunters; but the latter were too numerous and
strong for Abdullah to contend against。
I told them that Abdullah was only waiting for orders; but if such was
the state of things 〃why had he not written a letter by this
opportunity?〃
The natives asserted that the slave…hunters of Abou Saood had lost five
of their party; killed in the attack upon Rot Jarma; therefore they (the
messengers) were afraid to go near the station of Major Abdullah。 They
had accordingly travelled fast to bring me the news (160 miles); at the
same time they brought the guns for sale to Kabba Rega。
It was the old story of deception and rebellion。 Before my face Abou
Saood would cringe to the earth; but he became an open rebel in my
absence。 It was absolutely necessary to place this man under arrest。
When the Baris were at open war with the government; he had not only
associated with their chief; but he had armed parties of these natives
with muskets; which he employed in his zareebas。
He now attacked; in defiance of government protection; those friendly
natives of Faieera who had become peaceable subjects of the Khedive。
This was the same spirit of defiance that had been exhibited by Suleiman
when he slaughtered the prisoner to whom I had granted an asylum。
Unless I should arrest Abou Saood; it would be ridiculous to attempt the
establishment of a government。 This scoundrel knew the weakness of my
military force。 He had himself requested Kabba Rega to attack me upon my
arrival in his country。 He was now plundering and kidnapping in the
districts that were under government protection; this would immediately
be known to Kabba Rega and his people; who would naturally conclude that
my assurances of protection were valueless; and that Abou Saood was
stronger than the government of the Khedive。
I determined to send orders to Major Abdullah to arrest Abou Saood if
the reports were true concerning Faieera; at the same time he was to
insist upon the liberation of all the Unyoro slaves; which he was to
escort with his detachment to Foweera on the Victoria Nile。
There was no doubt that this fellow; Abou Saood; was confident of
support from some Egyptian authority behind the scenes; he had therefore
determined to be humble before my face; to avoid being pounced upon at
once; but to have his own way when my back was turned; as he trusted
that after the advice he had given to Kabba Rega I should never return
from Unyoro。 It would then be said that I had been killed by the
natives; the affair would be ended; and the official supporters of Abou
Saood would reinstate him in his original business for a sufficient
CONSIDERATION。
I made arrangements for the departure of my new irregulars。 After many
invitations I at length succeeded in allaying Kabba Rega's
apprehensions; and he promised to pay me a visit on the 11th May。
Lieutenant…Colonel Abd…el…Kader went to meet him; and escorted him to
the new house。
On arrival in the divan he was much astonished and delighted。 The room;
twenty…eight feet by fourteen; was arranged with double rows of metal
boxes on all sides; so closely packed that they formed either low tables
or seats; as might be required。 These were all covered with blue
blankets; which gave a neat appearance; upon which; at the east end of
the room; were exhibited samples of the various goods that I had brought
for the establishment of a regular trade in Unyoro。 There were tin
plates as bright as mirrors; crockery of various kinds; glasses; knives
of many varieties; beautiful Manchester manufactures; such as Indian
scarfs; handkerchiefs; piece…goods; light blue serge; chintzes; scarlet
and blue blankets; blue and crimson cotton cloth; small mirrors;
scissors; razors; watches; clocks; tin whistles; triangles; tambourines;
toys; including small tin steamers; boats; carriages; Japanese spinning
tops; horn snakes; pop…guns; spherical quicksilvered globes; together
with assortments of beads of many varieties。
〃Are these all for me?〃 asked Kabba Rega。
〃Certainly;〃 I replied; 〃if you wish to exchange ivory。 All these things
belong to the Khedive of Egypt; and any amount remains in the magazines
of Gondokoro。 These are simply a few curiosities that I have brought as
an experiment to prove the possibility of establishing a trade。〃
Among other things; the wheel of life attracted his attention。 This had
frequently been exhibited; but neither Kabba Rega nor his chiefs ever
tired of the performance。
The magnetic battery was now called for; and Kabba Rega insisted upon
each of his chiefs submitting to the operation; although he was afraid
to experiment upon himself。 He begged Lieutenant Baker; who managed the
instrument; to give as powerful a shock as he could; and he went into
roars of laughter when he saw a favourite minister rolling on his back
in contortions; without the possibility of letting the cylinders fall
from his grasp。
Every individual of his headmen had to suffer; and when all had been
exhausted; the ministers sought outside the divan among the crowd for
any particular friends that might wish to try 〃the magic。〃
At length one of the wires of the instrument gave way; as a patient
kicked and rolled frantically upon the ground; this was a good excuse
for closing the entertainment。
Kabba Rega now requested permission to see our private residence。 I told
him that only himself together with four of his chiefs and the
interpreter; Umbogo; could be permitted to enter。 These were Rahonka
(his maternal uncle); Neka (his uncle; Kamrasi's brother); Kitakara; and
Quonga。 On that occasion the tall chief; Matonse; endeavoured to push
his way through; but was immediately turned back by the sentry and
Monsoor。 (This little incident must be remembered; as the man took a
dislike to Monsoor from that moment。) The first exclamation upon
entering the room was one of surprise〃Wah! Wah!〃and Kabba Rega and
his chiefs covered their mouths with one hand; according to their custom
when expressing astonishment。
The large looking…glasses were miracles。 Kabba Rega discovered a great
number of Kabba Regas in the endless reflections of the two opposite
mirrors。 This was a great wonder that attracted particular attention。
It was then discovered that every person was multiplied in a similar
manner! This was of course 〃cojoor〃 (magic)。 It was difficult to draw
them away from the looking glasses; but at length the pictures were
examined。 The Queen was exhibited and explained; and I described her
subjects to be as numerous as the white ants in Unyoro。 The Princess of
Wales was a three…quarter face; and they immediately asked 〃why she had
only one ear?〃 The same question of unity was asked respecting the leg
of a man in a red coat on a white horse。
Every lady's portrait was minutely examined; but to our great
satisfaction; that of the Princess was declared by general consent to be
the most lovely。
I was much struck with this exhibition of good taste; as the other
portraits were pretty faces; but the hair and dresses were gaudily
ornamented; whereas that of the Princess of Wales was exceedingly
simple; the dress being an evening gown of white satin。
I should have suspected that natives would have preferred the gaudy
attire; without bestowing sufficient admiration on the features。
Kabba Rega now asked 〃why the women in the various portraits all looked
at him?〃 wherever he moved; their eyes followed him。
His chiefs now discovered that the faces in the pictures were also
looking at them; and the eyes followed them whether they moved to the
right or left! This was cojoor; or magic; which at first made them feel
uncomfortable。
One of my wife's female servants; Wat…el…Kerreem; would never remain by
herself in this room; for fear of 〃the eyes that stared at her。〃
Everything that we possessed was now minutely scrutinized。 The guns and
rifles of various breechloading mechanism were all displayed and
admired。 Kabba Rega thoughtfully asked 〃which of them I had intended for
him?〃 His uncle; Rahonka; exclaimed〃You have done wisely in bringing
all those guns as presents for Kabba Rega。〃 My visitors were quite
charmed。 The musical box played various delightful airs; and it was
remarked that it would be more convenient than an instrument which
required the study of learning; as 〃you might set this going at night to
play you to sleep; when you were too drunk to play an instrument
yourself; even if you knew how to do it。〃
This was my young friend Kabba Rega's idea of happinessto go to sleep
drunk; assisted by the strains of self…playing melody。
Of course; the large musical box was asked for; and; of course; I
promised to give it as a present from the Khedive of Egypt; if I found
that Kabba Rega conducted himself properly。
My wife's trinkets; &c。; were now begged for; but it was explained that
such things were private property belonging to the Sit (lady)。 〃The Sit!
the Sit! the Sit!〃 the young cub peevishly exclaimed; 〃everything that
is worth having seems to belong to THE SIT!〃
A small and beautifully…made revolver; with seven chambers; now
attracted