440 LETTERS TO DR. SCHWEINFURTH.

the scoundrels had monopolised the ford of that river and cut off our road to Monbuttu. They had been informed of the difficulties of the Government in Kharttm by their correspondents in Makraka, they were also well acquainted with the disorder and rebellion in the Bahr-el-Ghazal district, and they therefore apparently thought the time had come for them to play a little comedy for my benefit.

Shortly before my arrival in Mundu, one of them, emboldened by the possession of thirty-five guns which he had somehow or other managed to collect together, terrorised over the country, and systematically kidnapped women. He also thought fit to take prisoner an officer who was travelling from Monbuttu to Makraka, to keep him a fortnight in custody, also to rob other travellers of their arms and servants, and at the same time to declare openly that he was the lord of the land and recognised no authority higher than his own. ‘This was too much even for my patience, and in the face of the agitation which had existed for some time in Monbuttu, it was necessary to make some energetic move. I had, however, no soldiers with me, for they had all been sent from Tendia to Légo. When, therefore, a number of the small chiefs just mentioned refused to accept my invitation to meet me, thus openly disobeying, I went by night with ten men to the village of the nearest chief among them, and before the people had time to eet their guns, I took him prisoner. With the greatest ease I confiscated some twenty guns, and after I had assured the people that neither they nor their goods should come to harm, I retired to the station, and immediately sent my prisoner to the east, where, during his banishment, he will have time to consider whether or not it is advisable to play with the fire. On the same day a great meeting was held, a new chief was elected and placed in office, and then I marched as fast as possible to the south to arrest the possessor of thirty-five guns. He was, however, too quick for me, and had vanished, but I obtained the guns, and therefore rendered him harmless, even should he attempt mischief elsewhere. In a meeting of more than forty Zande chiefs, the runaway was declared deposed, and the rightful heir to the district was appointed in his place; but the Zande were most impressed by the fact of