fourth load a-day (about 15 lb.) amongst 165; the Hottentots cook
our dinners and their own, or else lie rolling on the ground
overcome with fatigue; the Beluchs are supposed to guard the
camp, but prefer gossip and brightening their arms. Some men are
told off to look after the mules, donkeys, and goats, whilst out
grazing; the rest have to pack the kit, pitch our tents, cut
boughs for huts, and for fencing in the camp--a thing rarely
done, by-the-by. After cooking, when the night has set it, the
everlasting dance begins, attended with clapping of hands and
jingling small bells strapped to the legs--the whole being
accompanied by a constant repetition of senseless words, which
stand in place of the song to the negroes; for song they have
none, being mentally incapacitated for musical composition,
though as timists they are not to be surpassed.

What remains to be told is the daily occupation of Captain Grant,
myself, and our private servants. Beginning at the foot: Rahan,
a very peppery little negro, who had served in a British man-of-
war at the taking of Rangoon, was my valet; and Baraka, who had
been trained much in the same manner, but had seen engagements at
Multan, was Captain Grant's. They both knew Hindustani; but
while Rahan's services at sea had been short, Baraka had served
nearly all his life with Englishmen--was the smartest and most
intelligent negro I ever saw--was invaluable to Colonel Rigby as
a detector of slave-traders, and enjoyed his confidence
completely--so much so, that he said, on parting with him, that
he did not know where he should be able to find another man to
fill his post. These two men had now charge of our tents and
personal kit, while Baraka was considered the general of the
Wanguana forces, and Rahan a captain of ten.