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.
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