Our Talk Was
Agreeably Interrupted By Guns In The Distance Announcing Grant's
Arrival, And I Took My Leave To Welcome My Friend.
How we
enjoyed ourselves after so much anxiety and want of one another's
company, I need not describe.
For my part, I was only too
rejoiced to see Grant could limp about a bit, and was able to
laugh over the picturesque and amusing account he gave me of his
own rough travels.
28th. - The king in the morning sent Budja, his ambassador, with
Kamrasi's Kidgwiga, over to me for my men and letters, to go to
Kamrasi's again and ask for the road to Gani. I wished to speak
to the king first, but they said they had no orders to stop for
that, and walked straight away. I sent the king a present of a
double-barrelled gun and ammunition, and received in answer a
request that both Grant and myself would attend a levee, which he
was to hold in state, accompanied by his bodyguard, as when I was
first presented to him. In the afternoon we proceeded to court
accordingly, but found it scantily attended; and after the first
sitting, which was speedily over, retired to another court, and
saw the women. Of this dumb show the king soon got tired; he
therefore called for his iron chair, and entered into
conversation, at first about the ever-engrossing subject of
stimulants, till we changed it by asking him how he liked the
gun? He pronounced it a famous weapon, which he would use
intensely. We then began to talk in a general way about Suwarora
and Rumanika, as well as the road through Unyamuezi, which we
hoped would soon cease to exist, and be superseded by one through
Unyoro.
It will be kept in view that the hanging about at this court, and
all the perplexing and irritating negotiations here described,
had always one end in view - that of reaching the Nile where it
pours out of the N'yanza, as I was long certain that it did.
Without the consent and even the aid of this capricious barbarian
I was now talking to, such a project was hopeless. I naturally
seized every opportunity for putting in a word in the direction
of my great object, and here seemed to be an opportunity. We now
ventured on a plump application for boats that we might feel our
way to Gani by water, supposing the lake and river to be
navigable all the way; and begged Kitunzi might be appointed to
accompany us, in order that whatever was done might be done all
with good effect in opening up a new line of commerce, by which
articles of European manufacture might find a permanent route to
Uganda. It was "no go," however. The appeal, though listened to,
and commented on, showing that it was well understood, got no
direct reply. It was not my policy to make our object appear too
important to ourselves, so I had to appear tolerably indifferent,
and took the opportunity to ask for my paint-box, which he had
borrowed for a day and had kept in his possession for months. I
got no answer to that request either, but was immediately dunned
for the compass, which had been promised on Grant's arrival.
Now, with a promise that the compass would be sent him in the
morning, he said he would see what pombe his women could spare
us; and, bidding good evening, walked away.
29th. - I sent Bombay with the compass, much to the delight of the
king, who no sooner saw it than he jumped and woh-wohed with
intense excitement at the treasure he had gained, said it was the
greatest present Bana had ever given him, for it was the thing by
which he found out all the roads and countries - it was, in fact,
half his knowledge; and the parting with it showed plainly that
Bana entertained an everlasting friendship for him. The king
then called Maula, and said, "Maula, indeed you have spoken the
truth; there is nothing like this instrument," etc., etc.,
repeating what he had already told Bombay. In the evening, the
king, accompanied by all his brothers, with iron chair and box,
came to visit us, and inspected all Grant's recently brought
pictures of the natives, with great acclamation. We did not give
him anything this time, but, instead, dunned him for the paint-
box, and afterwards took a walk to my observatory hill, where I
acted as guide. On the summit of this hill the king instructed
his brothers on the extent of his dominions; and as I asked where
Lubari or God resides, he pointed to the skies.
30th. - The king at last sent the paint-box, with some birds of
his own shooting, which he wished painted. He also wanted
himself drawn, and all Grant's pictures copied. Then, to wind up
these mild requests, a demand was made for more powder, and that
all our guns be sent to the palace for inspection.
31st. - I drew a large white and black hornbill and a green pigeon
sent by himself; but he was not satisfied; he sent more birds,
and wanted to see my shoes. The pages who came with the second
message, however, proving impertinent, got a book flung at their
heads, and a warning to be off, as I intended to see the king
myself, and ask for food to keep my ever-complaining Wanguana
quiet. Proceeding to the palace, as I found Mtesa had gone out
shooting, I called on the Kamraviona, complained that my camp was
starving, and as I had nothing left to give the king said I
wished to leave the country. Ashamed of its being supposed that
his king would not give me any food because I had no more
presents to give him, the Kamraviona, from his own stores, gave
me a goat and pombe, and said he would speak to the king on the
subject.
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