Now, Without
Going Into Any Lengthy Details, And Giving Rumanika Due Credit
For Everything - For Had He Not Ordered His
Men to give me every
information that lay in their power, they would not have done so-
-I will merely
Say for the present that, whilst they conceived
the Victoria N'yanza would take a whole month for a canoe to
cross it, they thought the Little Luta Nzige might be crossed in
a week. The Mfumbiro cones in Ruanda, which I believe reach
10,000 feet, are said to be the highest of the "Mountains of the
Moon." At their base are both salt and copper mines, as well as
hot springs. There are also hot springs in Mpororo, and one in
Karague near where Rogero lived.
30th. - The important business of announcing our approach to
Uganda was completed by Rumanika appointing Kachuchu to go to
king Mtesa as quickly as possible, to say we were coming to visit
him. He was told that we were very great men, who only travelled
to see great kings and great countries; and, as such, Rumanika
trusted we should be received with courteous respect, and allowed
to roam all over the country wherever we liked, he holding
himself responsible for our actions for the time being. In the
end, however, we were to be restored to him, as he considered
himself our father, and therefore must see that no accident
befell us.
To put the royal message in proper shape, I was now requested to
send some trifle by way of a letter or visiting card; but, on
taking out a Colt's revolving rifle for the purpose, Rumanika
advised me not to send it, as Mtesa might take fright, and,
considering it a charm of evil quality, reject us as bad
magicians, and close his gates on us.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 280 of 767
Words from 76617 to 76921
of 210958
