CHAPTER X. Preparations for Niam-niam campaign—Generosity of Aboo Sammat— Organisation of the caravan—Ceremonies at starting—Banner of Islam—Travelling costume—Terminalia forest—Hartebeest chase—Ahmed the Liar—Prospect from Mbala Ngeea—Bivouac on the Lehssy—Camp noises at night—Story of cannibalism— Ahmed’s fate—The Ibba—First meeting with Niam-niam—Growth of the popukky-grass—Elephant-hunting among the Niam-niam— Surprise at the white man—Visit to Nganye—A chieftain’s household—Entertainment by Nganye—Gumba—Colocasia—A Niam-niam minstrel—Beauty of the Zowa-trees—Encephalartus on the hill of Gumango—Cultivated districts on the Rye— Condition of hamlets and farms—Devastation of Bendo’s district—Contest with the soldiers—Escape from a bullet— Identity of the Sway and the Dyoor—The law of drainage— Passage of the Manzilly—First primeval forest—Frontier wildernesses—Organisation in the geography of plants— Importance of guinea-fowl to the traveller—Feeding the bearers—National diet 415 CHAPTER XI. Aboo Sammat’s territory—Jungle on the brooks—Discovery of wild pepper—Giant trees—Modesty of the Niam-niam women—Fresh danger from a bullet—A Bongo poisoned by manioc—Liberal treatment of bearers—Nduppo’s disagreement with Wando—Savage admiration of Europeans—The skin-trade—Wando’s braggings and threatenings—Formation of columns for war—Natives as soldiers—Difficulties of river-fording—Difference of level of soil on the watersheds—Mohammed’s prelude to drinking beer—Division of forces—Primeval forest on the Lindukoo—Rikkete’s jealousy—Varieties of genets—Mohammed’s _réveil_—Morning toilet of the Niam-niam—Waterfall on the Lindukoo—Magic roots—Watershed of the Nile district—Simple geological formation of Central Africa—The chimpanzee and pandanus found only beyond the watershed—Confusion in crossing the brook—Africa’s revenge on the white man—Venturesome interview of Mohammed with Wando—Value of ivory and copper—Definition of a “gallery-wood”—Duality of vegetation—Wando visits my tent—Wando’s _nonchalance_—A specimen of native cookery—Six Nubians murdered by Niam-niam—The leaf-eater and grass-man 465 CHAPTER XII.