"You
are my father, and you will stand by your son against his enemies. This
M'tese troubles me. In my father Kamrasi's lifetime he frequently
attacked us, and carried off our herds together with our women and
children. He is too strong to resist single-handed, but now that you are
hero I shall have no fear. Don't let us talk about merchandise, that
will come in due time; never mind trade; let us talk about guns and
gunpowder. You must give me muskets and ammunition in large quantities;
I will then arm all my bonosoora (soldiers) and with your assistance I
will fight M'tese. I will then fill your large new house with ivory for
the Khedive."
"There is no time to lose; you PROMISED to fight Rionga; my troops are
all ready, your men have nothing to do. Keep a few here, and send the
main force with my army to attack him at once, before he has time to
escape to the Langgos."
I could almost have imagined that I had been speaking with Kamrasi, so
thoroughly did his son resemble him in his diplomacy.
I answered him with caution, declaring that I could not allow any
reckless acts that would plunge the country in confusion. He (Kabba
Rega) had nothing to fear; but time was required to ripen my plans. I
had promised that I would dismiss Suleiman and his people from Unyoro:
at the same time I should liberate all the slaves that had been stolen
by Abou Saood's companies, and restore them to their homes.
