consider the ten brass wires final, I would give
them, and then go to his palace, not otherwise. He acceded to this, but
no sooner got them, than he broke his faith, and said he must either
have more pretty cloths, or five more brass wires, and then, without
doubt, he would beat the drums. A long badgering bargain ensued,
at which I made all my men be present as witnesses, and we finally
concluded the hongo with four more brass wires.

The drums then no sooner beat the satisfaction, than the Wasui
mace-bearers, in the most feeling and good-mannered possible manner,
dropped down on their knees before me, and congratulated me on the
cessation of this tormenting business. Feeling much freer, we now went
over and put up in Pong's palace, for we had to halt there a day to
collect more porters, as half my men had just bolted. This was by no
means an easy job, for all my American sheeting was out, and so was the
kiniki. Pongo then for the first time showed himself, sneaking about
with an escort, hiding his head in a cloth lest our "evil eyes" might
bewitch him. Still he did us a good turn; for on the 16th he persuaded
his men to take service with us at the enormous hire of ten necklaces of
beads per man for every day's march--nearly ten times what an Arab pays.
Fowls were as plentiful here as elsewhere, though the people only kept
them to sell to travellers, or else for cutting them open for diving
purposes, by inspection of their blood and bones.

From the frying pan we went into the fire in crossing from Ugombe into
the district of Wanga, where we beat up the chief, N'yaruwamba, and at
once went into the hongo business. He offered a cow to commence with,
which I would not accept until the tax was paid, and then I made my
offering of two wires, one kitambi, and one kisutu. Badgering then
commenced: I must add two wires, and six makete or necklaces of mzizima
beads, the latter being due to the chief for negotiating the tax. When
this addition was paid, we should be freed by beat of drum.

I complied at once, by way of offering a special mark of respect
And friendship, and on the reliance that he would keep his word. The
scoundrel, however, no sooner got the articles, than he said a man had
just come there to inform hi that I gave Pongo ten wires and ten cloths;
he, therefore, could not be satisfied until I added one more wire, when,
without fail, he would beat the drums. It was given, after many angry
words; but it was the