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第86节

ismailia-第86节

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might at any time change sides and ally themselves with Rionga; thus;
could I clear the country of such doubtful allies; he would be relieved
from all cause of alarm。〃

Notwithstanding these advantages; the young king sat uneasily upon his
divan; and appeared timid and suspicious。 According to Turkish
etiquette; a handsome chibouque; trimmed with blue silk and gold; was
handed to him。 He examined the amber mouth…piece but declined to smoke;
as 〃tobacco would blacken his teeth;〃 this was a curious excuse from a
Central African dandy。

I begged him to accept the long pipe as a reminiscence of my arrival。
Coffee and sherbet were then handed to him; but he declined both; and
insisted upon two of his chiefs drinking the whole; during which
operation he watched them attentively; as though in expectation of some
poisonous effect。

This was conduct that boded no good for future relations。 My wife tried
to converse with him through the interpreter; Umbogo。 Kabba Rega then
explained that he recollected us both; as he was one of a crowd when a
boy on the day we started from M'rooli for the Albert N'yanza。

The conversation quickly turned upon Rionga; whom he declared must be
either captured or killed; before any improvement could take place in
the country。 The young king assumed that it was already arranged that I
should assist him in this laudable object。 I now changed the
conversation by ordering a large metal box to be brought in。 This had
already been filled with an assortment of presents; including a watch。 I
explained to him that the latter had been intended for his father;
Kamrasi; in the recollection of his constant demands for my watch during
my former visit。 The new toy was ticking loudly; and it was of course
handed round and held to the ear of each chief before it was replaced in
the box。

Kabba Rega replied that he knew I had been a great friend of his father;
Kamrasi; and that I had now brought many valuable presents for him; but
I must not forget; that; although the father was dead; the son (himself)
was still alive; therefore I might at once hand over to him all that I
had intended for his parent。

This was a true son of his father in the art of begging。 I replied; that
〃hens did not lay all their eggs in one day; but continued one by one;
and that I hoped; when I should know him better; he would discover the
advantage of commerce; as the various goods that had now been introduced
were intended to exhibit the manufactures of my own country。 These would
continue to arrive in Unyoro to be exchanged for ivory。〃

I then exhibited the large musical box with drums and bells。 This was
one of the best instruments of its kind; and it played a remarkably good
selection of airs; which quite charmed the audience。 Among the presents
I had given to Kabba Rega was a small musical snuff box。 This was now
wound up and exhibited; but the greedy young fellow at once asked 〃Why I
did not give him the large box?〃

I gave him a regular lecture upon the advantages of commerce that would
introduce an important change in this extraordinary country; at the same
time I recalled to his recollection; that I had promised his father to
open up a commercial route by which the productions and manufactures of
the north should arrive in Unyoro; and render that country even more
prosperous than Uganda。 I had now arrived; as the lieutenant of the
Khedive; according to my promise; and the whole of the equatorial Nile
basis would be taken under his protection。 No unnecessary wars would be
permitted; but he (Kabba Rega) would remain as the representative of the
government; and the affairs of the country would be conducted through
him alone。

I assured him that no country could prosper without industry and a good
government; that agriculture was the foundation of a country's wealth;
and that war or civil disturbance; which interfered with agricultural
employment; would ruin the kingdom。 He replied that 〃Rionga was the sole
cause of war; therefore it would be necessary to destroy him before any
improvements could be made。 If Rionga were killed and the slave…hunters
expelled from the country; there might be some hope of progress; but
that it was wasting breath to talk of commerce and agriculture until
Rionga should be destroyed。〃

This was Kamrasi's old tune once more dinned into my ears。 In my former
journey I had been deserted by my carriers and starved for three months
at Shooa Moru; simply to induce me to yield to this repeated demand:
〃Kill Rionga; or give me your men to assist me against him。〃

From what I had heard I considered that Rionga must be a very fine
fellow; and much superior to either Kamrasi or his son。

In my former journey I had accomplished a long and difficult exploration
without firing a shot at a human being; and I had studiously avoided
meddling in native politics; which is certain to involve a traveller in
difficulty。 It had always been a source of great satisfaction when I
looked back to my past adventures; and reflected that I had never pulled
a trigger at a native; thus the arrival of a white man in these
countries would be regarded without suspicion。

In my present expedition I had always endeavoured to preserve peace;
but; as this work will show; I was in every instance forced to war in
absolute self…defence。 I was therefore determined not to attack Rionga;
unless he should presume to defy the government。

In reply to Kabba Rega and his chiefs; who all had joined in the
argument; I declared that I would find means to establish peace; and
that Rionga would assuredly come to terms。 Nothing would induce me to
use force against him or any other person; unless absolutely necessary。
I suggested to Kabba Rega that he should for a moment change positions
with Rionga。 What would his feelings be should I wantonly attack him;
simply because I had been requested to do so by his enemy?

No argument was of any avail。 Kabba Rega replied; 〃You were my father's
friend and brother: your wife was the same。 You drove back the
slave…hunters under Wat…el…Mek by hoisting your flag。 Since you left us;
the slave…hunters have returned and ruined the country。 My father is
dead; but Rionga is still alive。 Now you are my father; and your wife is
my mother: will you allow your son's enemy to live?〃

It was quite useless to attempt reason with this hardened young fellow;
who had not an idea of mercy in his disposition。 As he had murdered his
own relatives by the foulest treachery; so he would of course destroy
any person who stood in his way。 I therefore changed the conversation to
Abou Saood。

Kabba Rega and his sheiks all agreed that he had arrived here some time
ago in a very miserable plight; exceedingly dirty; and riding upon a
donkey。 He was without baggage of any kind; and he introduced himself by
giving a present to Kabba Rega of an old; battered metal basin and jug;
in which he washed; together with a very old and worn…out small carpet;
upon which he was accustomed to sit。 With these magnificent presents he
declared that he was 〃the son of a sultan; who had come to visit the
king of Unyoro。〃

Kabba Rega had replied that 〃he did not believe it; as he had heard that
he was simply a trader。〃

Reports had reached Unyoro that I had arrived at Gondokoro; and that I
was on my way to visit Kamrasi; and to explore the Albert N'yanza;
therefore Kabba Rega had questioned Abou Saood concerning me。

〃Oh;〃 Abou Saood replied; 〃that man whom we call 'the traveller'? Oh
yes; he was a very good fellow indeed; but he is dead。 He died long ago。
The Pacha is a very different person; and I hope he will never be able
to reach this country。 If he does; it will be a bad time for YOU。〃

〃Indeed!〃 replied Kabba Rega。 〃I heard that the Pacha and the traveller;
the friend of my father; were the same person。〃

〃You have been deceived;〃 said Abou Saood。 〃The Pacha is not like the
traveller; or any other man。 He is a monster with three separate heads;
in each of which are six eyesthree upon each side。 Thus with
eighteen eyes he can see everything and every country at once。 He has
three enormous mouths; which are furnished with teeth like those of a
crocodile; and he devours human flesh。 He has already killed and eaten
the Bari people and destroyed their country。 Should he arrive here; he
will pull you from the throne and seize your kingdom。 You must fight
him; and by no means allow him to cross the river at Foweera。 My
soldiers will fight him on the road from Gondokoro; as will all the
natives of the country: but I don't think he will be able to leave
Gondokoro; as he has a large amount of baggage; _and I have told the
Baris not to transport it:thus he will have no carriers。〃

This was the actual report that Abou Saood had given to Kabba Rega; as
the dragoman Umbogo had been the interpreter; in the presence of
Mohammed; my old Cairo dragoman。

I laughed outright at this absurdity: at the same time it corroborated
all that I had already heard of Abou Saood's treachery。 I immediately
asked Kabba Rega if he was satisfied now that he had seen me? He
replied; 〃Abou Saood is a liar; and you are Kamrasi's friend; and my
father: therefore you w

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