He did not appear to heed my questions, but he at once requested that I would ally myself with him, and attack his enemy, Rionga.

I told him that I could not embroil myself in such quarrels, but that I had only one object, which was the lake.

I requested that he would give Ibrahim a large quantity of ivory, and that on his return from Gondokoro he would bring him most valuable articles in exchange.

He said that he was not sure whether my belly was black or white; by this he intended to express evil or good intentions; but that if it were white I should, of course, have no objection to exchange blood with him, as a proof of friendship and sincerity.

This was rather too strong a dose! I replied that it would be impossible, as in my country the shedding of blood was considered a proof of hostility; therefore he must accept Ibrahim as my substitute.