which, was so beautiful we instinctively pulled up to admire
it. Deep down its well-wooded side below us was
a stream, of most inviting aspect for a trout-fisher, flowing
towards the N’yanza. Just beyond it the valley was
clothed with fine trees and luxuriant vegetation of all descriptions,
amongst which was conspicuous the pretty
pandana palm, and rich gardens of plantains ; whilst
thistles of extraordinary size and wild indigo were the
more common weeds. The land beyond that again rolled
back in high undulations, over which, in the far distance,
we could see a line of cones, red and bare on their tops,
guttered down with white streaks, looking for all the
world like recent volcanoes ; and in the far background,
rising higher than all, were the rich grassy hills of Kara-
güé and Kishakka.
On resuming our march, a bird, called khongota, flew
across our path ; seeing which, old Nasib, beaming with
joy, in his superstitious belief cried out with delight,
"Ah, look at that good omen !—now our journey will be
sure to be prosperous.” After fording the stream, we sat
down to rest, and were visited by all the inhabitants, who
were more naked than any people we had yet seen. All
the maidens, even at the age of puberty, did not hesitate
to stand boldly in front of us—for evil thoughts were not
in their minds. From this we rose over a stony hill to
the settlement of Vihèmbé, which, being the last on the
Usui frontier, induced me to give our guides three wires
each, and four yards of binde'ra, which Nasib said was
their proper fee. Here Bombay’s would-be, but disappointed,
father-in-law sent after us to say that he required
a hongo ; Süwarora had never given Ids sanction to our
quitting his country ; his hongo even was not settled. He
wished, moreover, particularly to. see us; and if we did not
return in a friendly manner, am army would arrest our
march immediately.
C H A P T E R V IIL
KARAGUE.
RELIEF FROM PROTECTORS AND PILLAGERS— THE SCENERY AND
GEOLOGY — MEETING WITH THE FRIENDLY KING RÜMANIKA—
HIS HOSPITALITIES AND ATTENTION—HIS SERVICES TO THE EXPEDITION
PHILOSOPHICAL AND THEOLOGICAL INQUIRIES—THE
ROYAL FAMILY OF KARAGÜÉ— THE M-FUMBIRO MOUNTAIN—
NAVIGATION OF “ THE LITTLE WINDERMERE”— THE NEW-MOON
LEVEE RHINOCEROS AND HIPPOPOTAMUS HUNTING MEASUREMENT
OF A FATTENED QUEEN— POLITICAL POLYGAMY— CHRIST-
RUMOURS OF PETHERICK’S EXPEDITION— ARRANGEMENTS
TO MEET IT— MARCH TO UGANDA.
This was a day of relief and happiness. A load was
To v ig iir a ,m . remov®d from us in seeing the Wasüi “protectors
depart, with the truly cheering information
that we now had nothing but wild animal« to
contend with before reaching Karagüé. . This land is
“neutral,” by which is meant that it is untenanted by
human beings ; and we might now hope to bid adieu for
a time to the scourging system of taxation to which we
had been subjected.
Gradually descending from the spur which separates
the Lohügati valley from the bed of the Lüéru lo Urigi,
or Lake of Urigi, the track led us first through a meadow
of much pleasing beauty, and then through a passage
between the “ saddle-back” domes we had seen from the
heights above Lohügati, where a new geological formation