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
Before daylight next morning the camp was roused, a hurried breakfast
was eaten, and a little past six the column was in motion. Frank
described the caravan in his journal, and it is quite possible that he
refreshed his memory by a sly glance at Burton's account of his journey
to Central Africa:
[Illustration: GRINDING MEAL FOR SUPPER.]
"The line of march is taken by the kirangozi, or guide, and any man who
attempts to precede him is liable to a fine. He carries a small flag, to
indicate that the caravan belongs to an Arab merchant, and his dress is
a strange combination of odds and ends of things. For the odds, he has a
head-dress made of a monkey's skin and a bunch of feathers; and for the
ends, he has the tail of a jackal, or some other animal, fastened by
means of a belt around his waist, and appearing as though it grew from
his own backbone. Two or three small gourds or packets, enclosing magic
powders for protection on the road, are also hung at his belt; and he
has a strip of broadcloth, which he sometimes suspends from his neck,
while at others he rolls it carefully into a bundle, to keep it from the
rain.
[Illustration: STOREHOUSE FOR GRAIN.]
"The kirangozi is followed by a favored pagazi, who carries a light
load, and beats a small kettle-drum, shaped very much like an
hour-glass. Immediately behind him are the ivory porters, with their
burdens, wrapped around with leaves and bamboos, partly for protection
of the material, but more especially for convenience in handling. Then
come the bearers of cloth and beads, and then the other porters, laden
with rhinoceros-horns, skins of animals, bags of salt, rice, and other
provisions, together with brass wire, boxes, bags, beds, tents, and
private stores of the merchant and ourselves. Then come the men of the
escort, and then the women and children that invariably accompany the
caravan, but are not allowed to march in the same group as the porters.
The men in charge of the porters are scattered along the line, and the
rear is closed by the masters of the caravan, mounted on their donkeys,
and immediately preceded by the donkeys, laden with burdens.
"The drivers of these animals have a good deal of trouble to keep their
beasts from straying, and at every halt there is a liberal display of
kicking propensities on the part of the four-footed travellers.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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