The Boy Travellers in the Far East, Part Fifth: Adventures of Two Youths in a Journey through AfricaKnox, Thomas Wallace
General
The Boy Travellers in the Far East, Part Fifth: Adventures of Two Youths in a Journey through Africa
Knox, Thomas Wallace
Africa -- Description and travel -- Juvenile literature; Africa, Central -- Description and travel -- Juvenile literature
Having finished our journey down the Livingstone to the shores of the
Atlantic, in company with Stanley, we will return to our young friends
in Unyamwezi.
Three days sufficed to arrange the plans for their future movements. On
the morning of the fourth day the servants packed the tents and baggage,
and the party was ready to move in the direction of Unyamyembe and
Zanzibar. Previous to starting they made a farewell visit to Mirambo, to
whom they gave additional presents. The king was not to be outdone in
generosity, and ordered his officers to see that they had all the
provisions that would be needed for the journey to Unyamyembe.
Just as they were about to make their farewells to Mirambo, Abdul came
to the Doctor's side and whispered a few words in his ear.
The quick eye of the king saw that something was wrong, and he asked
what was the matter.
Doctor Bronson replied that some twenty or more of the pagazi refused to
move unless they were paid in advance, and they demanded double wages
for the journey before starting.
Evidently the king was accustomed to this sort of thing, as he beckoned
to one of his officers and spoke briefly to him, in a low tone. The
officer left the audience-hall immediately, and Mirambo assumed an
attitude of waiting for something to turn up.
In a quarter of an hour or so there was a commotion outside, and the
officer returned to the royal presence. The whole party followed him
into the open air, and found the rebellious porters, their hands bound
together with strong cords, and a guard of spearmen standing by to see
that none of them escaped.
Mirambo's manner was decisive, and our friends had no reason to complain
of the sluggishness of African justice.
He told the pagazi they would be sold as slaves unless they went
peacefully with the strangers without any pay in advance. Of course
they promised obedience on the instant, and in less than three minutes
the whole matter was arranged. Mirambo added that they might consider
themselves very fortunate if they received any pay at all after such
rebellious conduct.
Abdul marched the men back to camp, accompanied by the guard of
Mirambo's men. At the request of the Doctor a guard was detailed to
accompany them on the road, to keep the porters from straying. More
presents were given to the king for his administration of justice, and
it was agreed that the guard should be paid in cloth and beads on their
arrival at Unyamyembe. The soldiers were delighted at the prospect of
occupation for which they would be paid, as it was not the custom of the
king to waste his property by giving them anything for their services.
One of them told Mohammed that they only received their food and
clothing. As they wore next to nothing, and helped themselves to bananas
and other fruits wherever they could find them, there was reason to
believe that the army of Mirambo was not an expensive one.
[Illustration: A DESERTER BROUGHT BACK.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account