The following day they all arrived, and Sumunter with them, riding on a pony. I felt much incensed as the Abban came cringing up to me, and proclaimed him in presence of the sultan and all my men a traitor and robber, mentioning all his villanies in detail, and begging he would leave my camp at once, for I could not travel with him. He appeared very humble, and denied flatly all the accusations I brought against him. Upon this I begged the sultan, flattering him with his great renown for administering justice, that he would do me justice as his guest. He said he was willing to do anything for me if I would direct the way in which I wished him to proceed; he did not understand the English law, and I must submit to Somali methods. This was agreed to, and we all assembled in my tent, and arranged the court as follows:--I sat at the gable end of the tent with Imam, Ahmed, and Farhan, with Sumunter facing us. The sultan mounted on the bales of cloth, and all his retainers and princes, and my camel-drivers, sat in a group on the ground at his feet. In opening the proceedings of the prosecution, I first said to Sumunter-- _P. Speke_.--"Where is the salt which you confess came with us to Goriat, and which you have told me daily you would give; but as yet, though everything, you say, is in the camp, it has not arrived?" _D. Sumunter_.--"I did not bring it because it was so heavy, and thought you would not want it." _P._--"Then why did you not land it at Goriat, and give it me there, or why did you even buy it at all at Aden if it was of no use?" _D._--"Because the Nahkoda took it to Bunder Gori." After a few more questions and answers, and the subject was exhausted, the sultan (judge), who had been sitting in silence with his head buried in his hands, now gave a grunt and motioned us to continue. _P._--"Where are the bales of cloth which by my account and Imam's are missing?" _D._--"I did not take them; somebody else must have." _P._--" They were in your charge, and you are answerable for them; besides which, Farhan here knows you gave them away." _Judge_.--"Ahem!" and the prosecution continued. _P._--"Where are the twenty rupees I gave you for hiring donkeys, and which I particularly ordered should not be expended for any other purpose?" Sumunter, putting his hand fixedly in his breast, said, "I've got them; they are all right. I will give them to you presently." _Speke_.--"No! give them to me now; I want them this instant." Sumunter, confused, and fumbling at his pocket, much to the delight of all the court, who burst with laughter, said, "No! I've left them at home in Bunder Gori, and will give them by-and-by." _Judge_.--"Ahem!" and the prosecution continued. _P._--"Why did you change my good rice for bad?" (opening and showing the contents of the nearest sack).