Ten years in Equatoria; . a moment the sky darkened anda violent wind arose from the south-east, rain descending intorrents amidst flashes of lightning and peals of thunder. Werose to seek a better shelter, but Mbruo smiled and detained us,saying, in an authoritative tone, I will hush the tempest, I havethe power to do so. He rose, gesticulating imperiously with hishands, as if to drive away the clouds, and blowing again and again,each time with greater force, into a magic whistle made of wood;but the tem]3est, for all reply, redoubled its violence. This timethe nakooma had failed at the proof
Ten years in Equatoria; . a moment the sky darkened anda violent wind arose from the south-east, rain descending intorrents amidst flashes of lightning and peals of thunder. Werose to seek a better shelter, but Mbruo smiled and detained us,saying, in an authoritative tone, I will hush the tempest, I havethe power to do so. He rose, gesticulating imperiously with hishands, as if to drive away the clouds, and blowing again and again,each time with greater force, into a magic whistle made of wood;but the tem]3est, for all reply, redoubled its violence. This timethe nakooma had failed at the proof. A desire to laugh seizedus, and, defying wind and rain, we set off at a run towards thenearest dwellings, leaving the impotent sorcerer to his magicstruggle with the elements. Sorcerers and dispensers of rain are very common in Africa, and,venerated by the people, they extract not a little gain from theirindustry. They exercise this prerogative with the assent of thechiefs, who are the pontiffs of the sacerdotal A BINSA SORCERER. DISPENSERS OF RAIN. 91 The usual good nature with which the blacks accept their notalways successful impostures, sometimes, however, gives place toa general indignation that finds expression in deeds of Wakkala, the chief Lugor of the Latooka, was ignominiouslydriven away after the failure of his efforts (which had alreadybeen rewarded with large gifts) to cause rain to fall upon theendangered crops. But, to strengthen superstition, a few daysafterwards a great quantity of rain fell and the wandering exilewas recalled to power. It is said that in some cases when their deception and impotenceare discovered, they also meet with the punishment of we see that the dignity of Augur is not without peril. Thereare no roses without thorns. Later on, when in 1888 I was in Unyoro, a native complainedto me of the obstinate drought. And who is it, I demanded, that regulates the fall of rainin this country ? Makama (the king), he rep
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