What Led to the Discovery of the Source of the Nile Part 12

6 A.M. 9 A.M. Noon. 3 P.M. 6 P.M.

73 75 84 86 84 Mean temperature during first week or seven days of September 1858.

71 --- --- 88 --- Extreme: difference, 17 of variation during 12 hours of day.

Thermometer suspended from ridge-pole of a one-cloth tent pitched in a close yard:--

6 A.M. 9 A.M. Noon. 3 P.M. 6 P.M.

65 85 108 107 80 Mean temperature.

63 --- --- 113 --- Extreme: difference, 50 of variation.

List of Stores along this Line.

Rice is grown at Unyanyembe, or wherever the Arabs settle, but is not common, as the negroes, considering it poor food, seldom eat it.

Animal.

Cows, sheep, goats, fowls, donkeys, eggs, milk, b.u.t.ter, honey.

P.S.--Donkeys are very scarce; only found in a few places in the Unyamuezi country.

Vegetable.

Rice, jowari, bagri, maize, manioc, sweet potatoes, yams, pumpkins, melons, cuc.u.mbers, tobacco, cotton, pulse in great varieties, chilis, benghans, plantains, tomatoes, sesamum.

The Quant.i.ty of Kit taken for this Journey consisted of--

9 Gorahs merikani; 1 Gorah or piece of American sheeting, = 15 cloths of 4 cubits each.

30 Do. Kiniki; 1 Gorah Kiniki, a common indigo-dyed stuff, = 4 cloths of 4 cubits each.

1 Sahari, a coloured cloth. These cloths are more expensive being of 1 Dubuani, a coloured cloth. better stuff, and are used chiefly by the 2 Barsati, a coloured cloth. sultans and other black swells.

20 Maunds white beads = 70 lb.

3 loads of rice grown at Unyanyembe by the Arabs.

Expenditure for the Journey from 9th July to 25th August 1858.

Value.

10 Beluches' wages, 150 shukkas, or 4 cubits apiece merikani, 100 dols.

10 Beluches' rations, given in advance, 30 lb. white beads, 5 15 Pagazis' wages, 75 shukkas merikani, 50 26 Men, including self, rations, 60 lb. white beads, 10 2 Pagazis, extra wages, 7 shukkas of merikani and kiniki mixed, 5 6 Sultans' hongos or presents, 22 shukkas of merikani and kiniki, mixed, 16 6 Do. Do. Do. 2 barsatis, 2

Total expenditure, 188 dols.

Or 39, 3s. 4d.

The Indian Government also very generously authorised me to pay, on my last expedition, those poor men who had carried our property down from Kaze to Zungomero; but unfortunately for them, as well as for our own credit, I could not find one man of the lot.

The End.

Notes

[1] Without exception, and after having now shot over three quarters of the globe, I can safely say, there does not exist any place in the whole wide world which affords such a diversity of sport, such interesting animals, or such enchanting scenery, as well as pleasant climate and temperature, as these various countries of my first experiences; but the more especially interesting was Tibet to me, from the fact that I was the first man who penetrated into many of its remotest parts, and discovered many of its numerous animals.

[2] Lieutenant Burton received 100 from the Royal Geographical Society to cross Africa from west to east, and whilst attempting that journey he got drifted off with the flood of pilgrims to Mecca. See his book.

[3] I had then mapped Tibet, and had laid down several new districts which even to this day have not been trodden by any European but myself.

[4] _Wadi_, river or nullah.

[5] It is questionable whether or not these Christians were driven south, fought at Mombas, were repulsed, and since have crossed the Nile to where we now find them, under the name of Wahuma. People may argue against the possibility of this, as the Wahuma do not keep horses; but the only reason, I believe, why they do not, is simply because horses won't live in those rich regions.

[6] Lieutenant Cruttenden, in his geographical treatise, describes the Darud family as being divided into four tribes, and, in addition to the three of which I heard, places the fourth or Murreyhan in his map to the southward of the country of Ugahden, lying between his Wadi Nogal and the Webbe Shebeli river.

[7] The Somali, in their own country, consider the Arab's gown and trousers effeminate; so on return to Africa they throw off the Arab costume again.

[8] This proved a great mistake. By having both men of the same tribe for my entire dependence, they invariably acted in concert against me like two brothers.

[9] Akil, _plural Okal_--chief or elder.

[10] The sultan has four sons.

[11] This gazelle is slightly different from the Dorcas, and, I believe, has never been obtained before.

[12] In talking of white men or Europeans, the Somali always say English French, those two branches of the European community being all they are acquainted with.

[13] Tobe, properly _thobe_, the dress used by Somali of both s.e.xes.

It consists of a white cloth, eight cubits long, frequently adorned with gaily-coloured edges; by the men it is worn loosely round the body with the end thrown over the shoulder, very much like the Roman toga. The women gather it in folds round the waist, where it is confined by a string, and both ends are fastened in a knot across the breast.

[14] It may appear strange that these men would not accept anything from me in payment except such things as they were accustomed to; and many of the pretty baubles which I brought from Calcutta, and considered would allure them by their beauty, proved of no use here as a medium of exchange.

[15] Tug, in the Somali language, signifies a periodical river, or water-course, the same as Wadi in Arabic, and Nullah in Hindustani.

[16] _Durbar_--Eastern Court.

[17] Lions, as well as other large animals, are said to come into the Nogal during the rainy season, when water and gra.s.s are abundant.

[18] Unfortunately, when sent on this mission, I was not furnished with a chart, and had never seen any works written on the subject.

[19] For the advancement of future investigations, I would here notice the reported existence of a large reptile like the armadillo--probably a Manis--which the Somali think a very remarkable animal. It is said by them to be common in Haud, is very slow in motion, has a hard scaly exterior coating, invulnerable to their spears, and capable of supporting the weight of a man without any apparent inconvenience to the creature who bears it.

[20] From the presence of these crosses, it would appear as though in ignorance they had adopted the emblem of their Christian predecessors.