From The Frying Pan We Went Into The Fire In Crossing From Ugombe
Into The District Of Wanga, Where We Beat Up The Chief,
N'yaruwamba, And At Once Went Into The Hongo Business.
He
offered a cow to commence with, which I would not accept until
the tax was paid, and then I made my offering of two wires, one
kitambi, and one kisutu.
Badgering then commenced: I must add two
wires, and six makete or necklaces of mzizima beads, the latter
being due to the chief for negotiating the tax. When this
addition was paid, we should be freed by beat of drum.
I complied at once, by way of offering a special mark of respect
And friendship, and on the reliance that he would keep his word.
The scoundrel, however, no sooner got the articles, than he said
a man had just come there to inform hi that I gave Pongo ten
wires and ten cloths; he, therefore, could not be satisfied until
I added one more wire, when, without fail, he would beat the
drums. It was given, after many angry words; but it was the old
story over again - he would have one more wire and a cloth, or
else he would not allow us to proceed on the morrow. My men,
this time really provoked, said they would fight it out; - a king
breaking his word in that way! But in the end the demand had to
be paid; and at last, at 9 P.M., the drums beat the satisfaction.
From this we went on to the north end of Wanga, in front of which
was a wilderness, separating the possessions of Rohinda from
those of Suwarora. We put up in a boma, but were not long
ensconced there when the villagers got up a pretext for a
quarrel, thinking they could plunder us of all our goods, and
began pitching into my men. We, however, proved more than a match
for them. Our show of guns frightened them all out of the place;
my men then gave chase, firing off in the air, which sent them
flying over the fields, and left us to do there as we liked until
night, when a few of the villagers came back and took up their
abode with us quietly. Next, after dark, the little village was
on the alert again. The Watuta were out marching, and it was
rumoured that they were bound for M'yaruwamba's. The porters who
were engaged at Pongo's now gave us the slip: we were
consequently detained here next day (19th), when, after engaging
a fresh set, we crossed the wilderness, and in Usui put up with
Suwarora's border officer of this post, N'yamanira.
Here we were again brought to a standstill.
Chapter VII
Usui
Taxation recommenced - A Great Doctor - Suwarora pillaging - The
Arabs - Conference with an Ambassador from Uganda - Disputes in
Camp - Rivalry of Bombay and Baraka - Departure from the
Inhospitable Districts.
We were now in Usui, and so the mace-bearers, being on their own
ground forgot their manners, and peremptorily demanded their pay
before they would allow us to move one step farther.
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