16 UGANDA AND THE EGYPTIAN SOUDAN.

and are perpetually concocting dodges with the

object of obtaining more food and drink. If any

complication arise with the natives and an attack be

feared, they are very brave and boast loudly of what

they will do as long as the enemy are at a distance, but should fighting become imminent none are so

ready as they to show the enemy a clean pair of

heels. In the capacity of personal servants they

are, as a rule, by no means satisfactory. The cook

has a deeply-rooted conviction, which it is impossible

to eradicate, that a little dirt rather improves the

flavour of food than otherwise, and he stares with

astonishment if you object to his wearing the table-

napkins as a loincloth ; he drinks your tea out of

the spout of the teapot, and uses the dinner-knives

as razors. The Wang'uana, moreover, have very

little regard for truth, and their ideas of the

difference between nieum and tuum are often hazy

in the extreme.

Still there are some noble exceptions to the picture which I have drawn of the Wang'uana, and I have

had splendid servants and brave and faithful followers

among them. As a rule also they are warm-hearted, and if properly treated become much attached to

their employer, showing their affection often in very

unexpected ways. I have known them march many miles after a long day's journey to fetch their master

a drink of water, and if he is stricken down with

fever they will nurse him as tenderly as a woman,