There is no longer any room for doubt, for, although the King has
neither said anything to us, nor sent for us, nor paid us a visit,
his subjects are in a state of great excitement—the Monbuttoos are
preparing for a long campaign. The market, through which we have just
strolled, is even more than usually bustling. Munza's lieutenants lay
violent hands on all eatables, which are placed without delay on the
shoulders of a whole army of slaves, who incontinently carry them off
to the palace. Indeed, we gave way to a momentary fear that we should
be left unprovided for, but, as soon as ever the officers saw us,
they made way for us with the utmost respect. It is quite clear that
we have risen considerably in their opinion. Strangers on whom the
King bestows his eighty favourite wives are evidently personages
worthy of all consideration, and to use a homely expression, not to
be sneezed at. We manage, therefore, to become purchasers on a large
scale, a very necessary proceeding, in case we should quarrel with
Munza on the way, or his army, as will probably be the case, should
squander its supplies. It is not prudent to rely too much on the
forethought of people who, if provisions in the ordinary style fail
them, have always a delicacy in the shape of human flesh to fall back
upon.
When we reached our encampment again, we commenced to make our
preparations as if we were destined to set out on the following day.
In Africa a war intended is a war begun; there are no such things as
consulting one's neighbours, forming alliances, issuing manifestoes,
or summoning all the diplomatists of the continent to a formal
conference; there is no flourish of trumpets to start with, or,
rather, there are any number of flourishes of any number of trumpets;
they fight, pillage, burn, kill, and eat—_voila tout_. In a few weeks
the war is over; it is true that it breaks out afresh, but that
happens in Europe also, as has been seen often enough and may be seen
again any day.
The next thing we did was to take stock of our provisions,
merchandise, and ammunition. Alas! The number of articles for
exchange was sadly diminished; the rolls of iron wire, which our
bearers had so laboriously struggled under in days gone by, were
trifles now, a source of rejoicing to them, at any rate. Our cotton
goods, once sufficient to clothe a whole tribe, would now scarcely
serve to cover Munza's ex-wives, even if they were to take it into
their heads to observe a little decency, an extravagance for which we
are not likely to give them credit. We had gold and silver, indeed,
but in a country where gold is held in small esteem, a sovereign
would not buy a fowl. As for our drafts and bank notes, I think I can
picture to myself the dismay of a negro, asked to part with a banana
for a fifty pound note. But in spite of the state of poverty to which
we are reduced, we shall manage, if we are not robbed of our last
resources, to get to the end of our journey without begging by the
road side.
Our ammunition is, thank goodness, plentiful. The Nubians have not
wasted over-much powder in saluting the various villages we have
passed through, and the shooting matches, necessary for the training
of the men, and our expeditions after elephants, antelopes, and other
game, do not appear to have made any excessive inroad on the number
of our cartridges.
After having thus taken stock of things, we turned our attention to
persons. Our escort is, as I have already said, far from being
complete, but we can thoroughly rely on the men who are left. Our
relative positions have changed, for, thanks to the King, we could,
in case of need, do without their services altogether, whilst they,
on the other hand, would never be able, without our help, to make
their way back to their own country. In dread, therefore, of being
left to themselves in the heart of the Monbuttoo country, they are
obedient to a degree.
The servants and bearers share the feelings of the soldiers, and
punishments are now unknown amongst us. If any one shows a sign of
disobedience, he is threatened with expulsion from the camp, and on
this hint he becomes amiable at once, and, in the matter of
politeness, could give points to the most polished of Europeans. All
the Monbuttoos, moreover, are fully cognizant of the fact that we are
the friends of a very powerful monarch, and that a word from us would
bring their heads off. When we left Khartoum we were simple
travellers, to be abandoned, perhaps, as others have been; now we are
looked upon as great chiefs, sultans, monarchs on leave in central
Africa.
All things considered, we have no cause for complaint, and we may,
without being accused of excessive rashness, take our flight to
regions as yet unexplored.
Whilst masters and servants were striking the balance of the caravan,
Joseph, who has his moments of inspiration, managed to discover a
last remaining bottle of Jules Mumm, hidden away under the straw in a
case thought to be empty.
We lost no time in drinking success to our future enterprise in the
sparkling beverage of our beloved France.
About two o'clock in the afternoon, the King sent to request the
attendance of de Morin, Delange, and myself, a wish we responded to
without delay.