File:From the Niger to the Nile (1907) (14769684713).jpg

Identifier: cu31924088413269 (find matches)
Title: From the Niger to the Nile
Year: 1907 (1900s)
Authors: Alexander, Boyd, 1873-1910 Talbot, Percy Amaury, 1877-1945
Subjects: Alexander-Gosling Expedition Birds
Publisher: London, E. Arnold
Contributing Library: Cornell University Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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r, evidently suggested acompromise, for suddenly the altercation ceased and, twoattendants being despatched, the Shehu signified that it washis royal pleasure to permit me to take his portrait. Accord-ingly, accompanied by me and followed by his Court andguard of boy slaves, he moved out into the sunlight and tookup a pose, holding on to a smile with a determination thatwould have done credit to a professional beauty. Thencame a most unexpected interruption. Just as I was pressingthe button that would record the Shehus smile and Allahsfrown, my attention was arrested by a stir in the gatewayacross the courtyard on the left, and the eyes of all save theShehu, who was motionless, were directed thither. There we saw two powerful men, semi-nude, bearing in aheavy load, which, on their emerging into the sunlight ofthe yard, proved to be a fine, big sheep. Instantly thethought flashed through my mind that^here was^a royal giftfor us ; so, too, thought Talbot, who was standing justbehind me.
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THE SHBHU OF KUKAWA 295 But our hopes, and not our services as photographers By Royal Appointment, were destined to be dashed on this occasion ; for behind the fine group of the bearersand their load came a mallam with naked knife, which he drewwith dexterous sweep across the throat of the animal theinstant it was thrown to the ground. Thus the diversionwas explained and the wise courtiers policy revealed. SurelyAllah was appeased by so rich a sacrifice, and the evil-eyeof the camera averted ! r CHAPTER XV PROM KUKAWA TO KADDAI But the distraction caused by the unexpected incidentof the sacrifice did not make me forget the business inhand, and I managed to secure my picture of the Shehu.I then turned my camera on the sacrificial group, butunfortunately no record has appeared upon the plate. Atthis point an attendant came in with a message to the Shehuand this gave us a good opportunity to say our farewells. In the afternoon he sent his headman to our camp to buycloth. He had heard of

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