Then, As That Could Not Be Managed, What Would
The King Devise Himself?
Bana only proposed the Usoga and Kidi
route, because he thought it would be to the advantage of Uganda.
"Oh," says the king, cunningly, "if Bana merely wishes to see
Usoga, he can do so, and I will send a suitable escort, but no
more." To this Bombay replied, "Bana never could return; he would
sooner do anything than return - even penetrate the Masai to
Zanzibar, or go through Unyoro"; to which the king, ashamed of
his impotence, hung down his head and walked away.
In the meanwhile, and whilst this was going on at the king's
palace, I went with Grant, by appointment, to see the queen. As
usual, she kept us waiting some time, then appeared sitting by an
open gate, and invited us, together with many Wakungu and
Wasumbua to approach. Very lavish with stale sour pombe, she
gave us all some, saving the Wasumbua, whom she addressed very
angrily, asking what they wanted, as they have been months in the
country. These poor creatures, in a desponding mood, defended
themselves by saying, which was quite true, that they had left
their homes in Sorombo to visit her, and to trade. They had,
since their arrival in the country, been daily in attendance at
her palace, but never had the good fortune to see her excepting
on such lucky occasions as brought the Wazungu (white men) here,
when she opened her gates to them, but otherwise kept them shut.
The queen retorted, "And what have you brought me, pray? where is
it? Until I touch it you will neither see me nor obtain
permission to trade. Uganda is no place for idle vagabonds." We
then asked for a private interview, when, a few drops of rain
falling, the queen walked away, and we had orders to wait a
little. During this time two boys were birched by the queen's
orders, and an officer was sent out to inquire why the watch he
had given her did not go. This was easily explained. It had no
key; and, never losing sight of the main object, we took
advantage of the opportunity to add, that if she did not approve
of it, we could easily exchange it for another on arrival at
Gani, provided she would send an officer with us.
The queen, squatting within her hut, now ordered both Grant and
myself to sit outside and receive a present of five eggs and one
cock each, saying coaxingly, "These are for my children." Then
taking out the presents, she learned the way of wearing her watch
with a tape guard round her neck, reposing the instrument in her
bare bosom, and of opening and shutting it, which so pleased her,
that she declared it quite satisfactory. The key was quite a
minor consideration, for she could show it to her attendants just
as well without one. The towel and handkerchiefs were also very
beautiful, but what use could they be put to?
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 294 of 403
Words from 153629 to 154135
of 210958
