Children; but the
boys said the king was unapproachable just them, being engaged
shooting cows before his women. He then wished the boys to carry
the cloth; but they declined, saying it was contrary to orders
for anybody to handle cloth, and they could not do it.
Chapter XII
Palace, Uganda - Continued
Continued Diplomatic Difficulties - Negro Chaffing - The King in a
New Costume - Adjutant and Heron Shooting at Court - My Residence
Changed - Scenes at Court - The Kamraviona, or Commander-in-Chief-
-Quarrels - Confidential Communications with the King - Court
Executions and Executioners - Another Day with the Queen.
7th. - The farce continued, and how to manage these haughty
capricious blacks puzzled my brains considerably; but I felt that
if I did not stand up now, no one would ever be treated better
hereafter. I sent Nasib to the queen, to explain why I had not
been to see her. I desired to do so, because I admired her
wisdom; but before I went I must first see the king, to provide
against any insult being offered to me, such as befell Bombay
when I sent him with medicine. Having despatched him, I repaired
again to the palace. In the antechamber I found a number of
Wakungu, as usual, lounging about on the ground, smoking,
chatting, and drinking pombe, whilst Wasoga amused them singing
and playing on lap-harps, and little boys kept time on the
harmonicon.
