[In the Heart of Africa by Samuel White Baker]@TWC D-Link book
In the Heart of Africa

CHAPTER XVII
12/23

One man, who had been badly wounded by a lance thrust through his abdomen, I had successfully treated; and the trading party, who would at one time gladly have exterminated me, now exclaimed, "What shall we do when the Sowar (traveller) leaves the country ?" Mrs.Baker had been exceedingly kind to the women and children of both the traders and natives, and together we had created so favorable an impression that we were always referred to as umpires in every dispute.

My own men, although indolent, were so completely disciplined that they would not have dared to disobey an order, and they looked back upon their former mutinous conduct with surprise at their own audacity, and declared that they feared to return to Khartoum, as they were sure that I would not forgive them.
One day, hearing a great noise of voices and blowing of horns in the direction of Katchiba's residence, I sent to inquire the cause.

The old chief himself appeared very angry and excited.

He said that his people were very bad, that they had been making a great noise and finding fault with him because he had not supplied them with a few showers, as they wanted to sow their crop of tullaboon.

There had been no rain for about a fortnight.
"Well," I replied, "you are the rain-maker; why don't you give your people rain ?" "Give my people rain!" said Katchiba.


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