On This She Produced A Number
Of Rings Similar To The One She Wore, And Taking Off Her Own,
Placed It Round My Neck.
Then, pointing to her wreath, she said,
"This is the badge of a kidnapper's office - whoever wears it,
catches
Little children." I inferred that its possession, as an
insignia of royalty, conferred on the bearer the power of
seizure, as the great seal in this country confers power on
public officers.
The queen's dinner was now announced; and, desiring me to remain
where I was for a short time, she went to it. She sent me
several dishes (plantain-leaves), with well-cooked beef and
mutton, and a variety of vegetables, from her table, as well as a
number of round moist napkins, made in the shape of wafers, from
the freshly-drawn plantain fibres, to wash the hands and face
with. There was no doubt now about her culinary accomplishments.
I told her so when she returned, and that I enjoyed her parties
all the more because they ended with a dinner. "More pombe, more
pombe," cried the queen, full of mirth and glee, helping
everybody round in turn, and shouting and laughing at their
Kiganda witticisms - making, though I knew not a word said, an
amusing scene to behold - till the sun sank; and her majesty
remarking it, turned to her court and said, "If I get up, will
Bana also rise, and not accuse me of deserting him?" With this
speech a general rising took place, and, watching the queen's
retiring, I stood with my hat in hand, whilst all the Wakungu
fell upon their knees, and then all separated.
28th. - I went to the palace, and found, as usual, a large levee
waiting the king's pleasure to appear; amongst whom were the
Kamraviona, Masimbi, and the king's sister Miengo. I fired my
gun, and admitted at once, but none of the others could follow me
save Miengo. The king, sitting on the chair with his women by
his side, ordered twelve cloths, the presents of former Arab
visitors, to be brought before him; and all of these I was
desired to turn into European garments, like my own coats,
trousers, and waistcoats. It was no use saying I had no tailors -
the thing must be done somehow; for he admired my costume
exceedingly, and wished to imitate it now he had cloth enough for
ever to dispense with the mbugu.
As I had often begged the king to induce his men, who are all
wonderfully clever artisans, to imitate the chair and other
things I gave him, I now told him if he would order some of his
sempsters, who are far cleverer with the needle than my men, to
my camp, I would cut up some old clothes, and so teach them how
to work. This was agreed to, and five cows were offered as a
reward; but as his men never came, mine had to do the job.
Maula then engaged the king's attention for fully an hour,
relating what wonderful things Bana kept in his house, if his
majesty would only deign to see them; and for this humbug got
rewarded by a present of three women.
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