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