Then After This I Established A Property Tax
On All Merchandise That Entered My Country.
Fundi Kira had never
done so, but I did not think that any reason why I should not,
especially as the Arabs were the only people who lived in my
country exempt from taxation.
This measure, however, exasperated
the Arabs, and induced them to send me hostile messages, to the
effect that, if I ever meddled with them, they would dethrone me,
and place Mkisiwa, another illegitimate son, on the throne in my
stead. This," Manua Sera continued, "I could not stand; the
merchants were living on sufferance only in my country. I told
them so, and defied them to interfere with my orders, for I was
not a 'woman,' to be treated with contempt; and this got up a
quarrel. Mkisiwa, seizing at the opportunity of the prize held
out to him by the Arabs as his supporters, then commenced a
system of bribery. Words led to blows; we had a long and tough
fight; I killed many of their number, and they killed mine.
Eventually they drove me from my palace, and placed Mkisiwa there
as chief in my stead. My faithful followers however, never
deserted me; so I went to Rubuga, and put up with old Maula
there. The Arabs followed - drove me to Nguru, and tried to kill
Maula for having fostered me. He, however, escaped them; but
they destroyed his country, and then followed me down to Nguru.
There we fought for many months, until all provisions were
exhausted, when I defied them to catch me, and forced my way
through their ranks. It is needless to say I have been a
wanderer since; and though I wish to make friends, they will not
allow it, but do all they can to hunt me to death. Now, as you
were a friend of my father, I do hope you will patch up this war
for me, which you must think is unjust."
I told Manua Sera I felt very much for him, and I would do my
best if he would follow me to Kaze; but I knew that nothing could
ever be done unless he returned to the free-trade principles of
his father. He then said he had never taken a single tax from the
Arabs, and would gladly relinquish his intention to do so. The
whole affair was commenced in too great a hurry; but whatever
happened he would gladly forgive all if I would use my influence
to reinstate him, for by no other means could he ever get his
crown back again. I then assured him that I would do what I could
to restore the ruined trade of his country, observing that, as
all the ivory that went out of his country, came to ours, and all
imports were productions of our country also, this war injured us
as well as himself. Manua Sera seemed highly delighted, and said
he had a little business to transact in Ugogo at present, but he
would overtake me in a few days.
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