In The Evening We Called Again At The Palace With Pictures Of The
Things The King Required From Rumanika, And
A letter informing
Rumanika what we wished done with them, in order that there might
be no mistake, requesting the
King to forward them after Mula.
Just then Kaddu's men returned to say they wanted provisions for
the way, as the Wazinza, hearing of their mission, asked them if
they knew what they were about, going to a strange country
without any means of paying their way. But the king instead of
listening to reason, impetuously said, "If you do not pack off at
once, and bring me the things I want, every man of you shall lose
his head; and as for the Wazinza, for interfering with my orders,
they shall be kept here prisoners until you return."
On the way home, one of the king's favourite women overtook us,
walking, with her hands clasped at the back of her head, to
execution, crying, "N'uawo!" in the most pitiful manner. A man
was preceding her, but did not touch her; for she loved to obey
the orders of her king voluntarily, and in consequence of
previous attachment, was permitted, as a mark of distinction, to
walk free. Wondrous world! it was not ten minutes since we parted
from the king, yet he had found time to transact this bloody
piece of business.
7th. - Early in the morning the king bade us come to him to say
farewell. Wishing to leave behind a favourable impression, I
instantly complied. On the breast of my coat I suspended the
necklace the queen had given me, as well as his knife, and my
medals. I talked with him in as friendly and flattering a manner
as I could, dwelling on his shooting, the pleasant cruising on
the lake, and our sundry picnics, as well as the grand prospect
there was now of opening the country to trade, by which his guns,
the best in the world, would be fed with powder - and other small
matters of a like nature, - to which he replied with great feeling
and good taste. We then all rose with an English bow, placing the
hand on the heart whilst saying adieu; and there was a complete
uniformity in the ceremonial, for whatever I did, Mtesa, in an
instant, mimicked with the instinct of a monkey.
We had, however, scarcely quitted the palace gate before the king
issued himself, with his attendants and his brothers leading, and
women bringing up the rear; here K'yengo and all the Wazinza
joined in the procession with ourselves, they kneeling and
clapping their hands after the fashion of their own country.
Budja just then made me feel very anxious, by pointing out the
position of Urondogani, as I thought, too far north. I called
the king's attention to it, and in a moment he said he would
speak to Budja in such a manner that would leave no doubts in my
mind, for he liked me much, and desired to please me in all
things. As the procession now drew to our camp, and Mtesa
expressed a wish to have a final look at my men, I ordered them
to turn out with their arms and n'yanzig for the many favours
they had received. Mtesa, much pleased, complimented them on
their goodly appearance, remarking that with such a force I would
have no difficulty in reaching Gani, and exhorted them to follow
me through fire and water; then exchanging adieus again he walked
ahead in gigantic strides up the hill, the pretty favourite of
his harem, Lubuga - beckoning and waving with her little hands,
and crying, "Bana! Bana!" - trotting after him conspicuous amongst
the rest, though all showed a little feeling at the severance.
We saw them no more.
Chapter XV
March Down the Northern Slopes of Africa
Kari - Tragic Incident there - Renewals of Troubles - Quarrels with
the Natives - Reach the Nile - Description of the Scene there -
Sport - Church Estate - Ascend the River to the Junction with the
Lake - Ripon Falls - General Account of the Source of the Nile -
Descend again to Urondogani - The Truculent Sakibobo.
7th to 11th. - With Budja appointed as the general director, a
lieutenant of the Sakibobo's to furnish us with sixty cows in his
division at the first halting-place, and Kasoro (Mr Cat), a
lieutenant of Jumba's, to provide the boats at Urondogani, we
started at 1 p.m., on the journey northwards. The Wanguana still
grumbled, swearing they would carry no loads, as they got no
rations, and threatening to shoot us if we pressed them,
forgetting that their food had been paid for to the king in
rifles, chronometers, and other articles, costing about 2000
dollars, and, what was more to the point, that all the ammunition
was in our hands. A judicious threat of the stick, however, put
things right, and on we marched five successive days to Kari - as
the place was afterwards named, in consequence of the tragedy
mentioned below - the whole distance accomplished being thirty
miles from the capital, through a fine hilly country, with
jungles and rich cultivation alternating. The second march,
after crossing the Katawana river with its many branches flowing
north-east into the huge rush-drain of Luajerri, carried us
beyond the influence of the higher hills, and away from the huge
grasses which characterise the southern boundary of Uganda
bordering on the lake.
Each day's march to Kari was directed much in the same manner.
After a certain number of hours' travelling, Budja appointed some
village of residence for the night, avoiding those which belonged
to the queen, lest any rows should take place in them, which
would create disagreeable consequences with the king, and
preferring those the heads of which had been lately seized by the
orders of the king. Nevertheless, wherever we went, all the
villagers forsook their homes, and left their houses, property,
and gardens an easy prey to the thieving propensities of the
escort.
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