第 95 节
作者:巴乔的中场      更新:2021-02-20 18:12      字数:9322
  was never fulfilled; neither could I engage the natives to work for
  hire。
  I had observed for some time past that his people were rapidly extending
  the town of Masindi; by erecting new buildings upon both our flanks;
  which; although only a few yards from our clearing; were half obscured
  by the high grass; thus it appeared that we were being gradually
  surrounded。
  Since the departure of the post with my escort and the irregular levy;
  nothing was done by the natives; except the usual lounging by day; and
  drinking and howling; with drums and horns as an accompaniment;
  throughout the night。
  Kabba Rega had always declared that the natives would work for me and
  obey every order when the slave…hunters should have been expelled from
  the country。 Although the people who were lately a portion of the
  slave…hunter's company had now been enlisted in the service of
  government; not one man remained in Masindi; as I had sent them all away
  to Fatiko; at the particular request of Kabba Rega。
  The real fact was; that so long as the slave…trader's people were in the
  country; both the king and his people knew that we were independent of
  native guides; as Suleiman's men knew all the paths; from their long
  experience of the country when engaged in the civil wars。 It was
  considered that in the absence of the new levy of irregulars we should
  be perfectly helpless to move; as we were dependent upon Kabba Rega for
  guides。
  From the general conduct of the people since the departure of my party
  with the post to Fatiko; I had a strong suspicion that some foul play
  was intended; and that; when the 300 native carriers should have taken
  the people across the Victoria Nile; they would desert them in the
  night; and return with the boats。 I therefore wrote a letter addressed
  to the second vakeel; Eddrees; ordering him to return at once to Masindi
  with the entire party if he had any suspicion of treachery。
  I concealed this note in a packet of blue cloth; together with a few
  little presents for Shooli and Gimoro; at Fatiko; but I had written on
  the brown paper cover of the parcel; instructions that Eddrees or
  Mohammed; the dragoman; should search the contents; as a letter was
  hidden within。 I gave this packet to Umbogo; telling him that it was a
  present for Shooli; and begging him to despatch a messenger without
  delay to overtake the party before they should have crossed the Victoria
  Nile。 The native messenger; to whom I gave a small gratuity; immediately
  started; thus I should be able to forewarn my people in the event of
  trouble。
  In the afternoon Kabba Rega sent for me to repair the small musical box
  that I had given him; which was slightly deranged。 I replied that; until
  he fulfilled his agreement to clear the high grass from the
  neighbourhood; I could not think of attending to any request; as he had
  broken all his promises。
  In half an hour after this answer he sent forty men; under Kittakara; to
  commence the clearing; as he was in despair about his musical box。
  Two native merchants from the distant country of Karagwe; who had been
  sent by their king; Rumanika; to purchase ivory from Unyoro; had arrived
  at Masindi。 These people were brought to me on 26th May; accompanied by
  Kittakara; together with Umbogo; the interpreter。 I observed that
  Kittakara was acting the part of spy; to overhear and to report the
  substance of the conversation。 Some excitement had been caused by the
  report that two travellers were residing with Rumanika; and that these
  people had arrived from the M'wootan N'zige。 I was in hopes that one of
  these travellers might be Livingstone。
  The Karagwe merchants were well…dressed; and very civilized…looking
  people。 They stared upon arrival in the divan; and were shortly seated
  upon a mat before me。
  After some conversation; I questioned them concerning the travellers;
  and I immediately wrote both questions and replies in my journal; which
  I now give verbatim。
  〃Have you personally seen the travellers?〃
  Answer: 〃Yes; one is tall; with a long beard and white hair。 The other
  is a very black man (an African); and short。〃
  Question: 〃How do they eat?〃
  Answer: 〃With a knife and fork and plate。〃
  Question: 〃Have they a compass〃 (Compass exhibited)?
  Answer: 〃No; but they have a small mirror like those in your
  possession。〃
  Question: 〃Do they purchase ivory?〃
  Answer: 〃Yes。 We are now sent by Rumanika to buy ivory for them。〃
  Question: 〃Have they a large quantity?〃
  Answer: 〃An immense quantity。 They have a large house; which is quite
  full。〃
  Question: 〃How will they transport it?〃
  Answer: 〃They are building a vessel of iron on the M'wootan N'zige; upon
  the borders of which they are now staying。〃
  Question: 〃Do they know that I am commanding this expedition?〃
  Answer: 〃Yes; they have frequently asked ‘whether you had arrived;' and
  they wish to go to Khartoum。〃
  〃There is no trace of poor Livingstone in their description。 I imagine
  that some enterprising Portuguese trader is building a ship to trade
  upon M'wootan N'zige。 God help him if he tries to transport his ivory by
  this route。
  〃I shall write to Livingstone by the first opportunity。 Like all other
  of my informants; these native merchants told me that the M'wootan
  N'zige extended to Karagwe; after a long turn to the west。 It varied
  much in width; and at Karagwe it was narrow。〃
  For some days I had conversations with these intelligent people。 They
  brought me two elephants' tusks to sell; as they wished to show Rumanika
  the quality of goods that were now introduced from the north。 I made
  them a few presents; after the bargain; to create a favourable
  impression; and I once more cross…examined them upon geographical
  questions。
  Their description of the east shore of the M'wootan N'zige was as
  follows:
  Geographical Information:
  〃South of Unyoro    is a country   Kabboya;
  〃  〃   Kabboyu     〃     〃      Tambooki;
  〃  〃   Tambooki    〃     〃      M'Pororo;
  〃  〃   M'Pororo    〃     〃      Ruanda;
  〃  〃   Ruanda      〃     〃      Baroondi;
  〃  〃   Baroondi    〃     〃      Chibbogora;
  〃  〃   Chibbogora  〃     〃      Watuta;
  〃  〃   Watuta      〃     〃      Manchoonda;〃
  〃Beyond the Machoonda they knew nothing; except that the lake extends
  for an enormous and unknown distance。
  〃On the west shore; opposite Kabboyu and Tambooki; is situated the
  cannibal country of Booamba。
  〃The route to Karagwe from Masindi; via the M'wootan N'zige (Albert
  N'yanza); istake boat from Chibero (a day's long march from Masindi)
  to M'Pororoat which spot you leave the boat; and proceed overland in
  one day to the Karagwe frontier。
  〃The Kittangide river passes through M'Pororo; N'Kole; and Kishakka;
  and; after a very winding course; it cuts through Karagwe; and falls
  into the Victoria N'yanza。
  〃'Baroondi' must be Speke's 'Urundi;' as I find that many names that he
  has prefixed with 'U' are here pronounced as 'B。'
  〃By Speke's map Urundi is in about 3 degrees south latitude。 The
  M'wootan N'zige is therefore known to pass through Ruanda; Baroondi; and
  the Watutaor beyond the north end of the Tanganyika Lake。
  〃This looks as though the Tanganyika and the M'wootan N'zige were only
  one vast lake bearing different names according to the localities
  through which it passes。〃
  I have extracted this from my journal; as it was written at the moment
  that the information was given。 I have no theory; as I do not indulge in
  the luxury of geographical theories; but I shall give my information in
  the same words in which I received it from the natives。 Speculative
  geographers may then form their own opinions。
  From the day when Kabba Rega had denied the possession of the guns and
  ammunition belonging to the irregular levy; he had never appeared at his
  new divan; neither had I seen him。
  Upon many occasions I had sent to request his attendance; but he was
  always in the sanctuary of his own private house; or rather
  establishment of houses; these were a series of enormous beehive…shaped
  straw and cane dwellings in a courtyard of about an acre; surrounded by
  a fence; and guarded by many sentries; each of whom had a small but
  built in the middle of the hedge。
  Since the departure of the irregular levy; I had noticed a decided
  change in the demeanour of the chiefs。 Kittiakara; who had been our
  greatest friend; could never look me in the face; but always cast his
  eyes upon the ground when speaking or listening。
  The food for the troops was obtained with the greatest difficulty; after
  constant worry and endless applications。 It was in vain that I insisted
  upon the right of paying for a supply of corn; the chiefs replied: 〃Is
  not Kabba Rega your son? can a son sell corn to his own father〃
  At the same time we never had two days' provisions in store; and we were
  simply living from hand to month。 This looked suspicious; as though the
  troops were to be rendered helpless by the absence of supplies in the
  event of hostilities。
  My few Baris consisted of my good interpreter Morgian; together with
  three other natives; who had been for some years in the employ of
  Suleiman。 I had kept these people with me; as they knew something about
  the country and the Unyor