When The Rain Ceased, Her Majesty Retired A Second Time To Her
Toilet-Hut, And Changed Her Dress For A
Puce-coloured wrapper,
when I, ashamed of having robbed her of so many sambo, asked her
if she would allow
Me to present her with a little English "wool"
to hang up instead of her mbugu curtain on cold days like this.
Of course she could not decline, and a large double scarlet
blanket was placed before her. "Oh, wonder of wonders!"
exclaimed all the spectators, holding their mouths in both hands
at a time - such a "pattern" had never been seen here before. It
stretched across the hut, was higher than the men could reach -
indeed it was a perfect marvel; and the man must be a good one
who brought such a treasure as this to Uddu. "And why not say
Uganda?" I asked. "Because all this country is called Uddu.
Uganda is personified by Mtesa; and no one can say he has seen
Uganda until he has been presented to the king."
As I had them all in a good humour now, I complained I did not
see enough of the Waganda - and as every one dressed so remarkably
well, I could not discern the big men from the small; could she
not issue some order by which they might call on me, as they did
not dare do so without instruction, and then I, in turn, would
call on them? Hearing this, she introduced me to her prime
minister, chancellor of exchequer, women-keepers, hangmen, and
cooks, as the first nobles in the land, that I might recognise
them again if I met them on the road. All n'yanzigged for this
great condescension, and said they were delighted with their
guest; then producing a strip of common joho to compare it with
my blanket, they asked if I could recognise it. Of course, said
I, it is made in my country, of the same material, only of
coarser quality, and everything of the same sort is made in
Uzungu. Then, indeed, said the whole company, in one voice, we
do like you, and your cloth too - but you most. I modestly bowed
my head, and said their friendship was my chief desire.
This speech also created great hilarity; the queen and
councillors all became uproarious. The queen began to sing, and
the councillors to join in chorus; then all sang and all drank,
and drank and sang, till, in their heated excitement, they turned
the palace into a pandemonium; still there was not noise enough,
so the band and drums were called again, and tomfool - for Uganda,
like the old European monarchies, always keeps a jester - was made
to sing in the gruff, hoarse, unnatural voice which he ever
affects to maintain his character, and furnished with pombe when
his throat was dry.
Now all of a sudden, as if a devil had taken possession of the
company, the prime minister with all the courtiers jumped upon
their legs, seized their sticks, for nobody can carry a spear
when visiting, swore the queen had lost her heart to me, and
running into the yard, returned, charging and jabbering at the
queen; retreated and returned again, as if they were going to put
an end to her for the guilt of loving me, but really to show
their devotion and true love to her.
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