i* After this unsatisfactory interview, I repaired to the
king’s, knowing the power of my gun to obtain an interview,
whilst doubting the ability of the Wakungu to gain
an audience for me. Such was the case. These men had
been sitting all day without seeing the king, and three
shots opened his gate immediately to me. He was sitting
on the iron chair in the shade of the court, attended by
some eighty Women, tweedling the loading-rod in his
angers; but as my rod appeared a better one than his,
they were exchanged. I then gave him a tortoise-shell
comb to comb his hair straight with, as he invariably
remarked on the beautiful manner in which I dressed my
hair, making me uncap to show it to his women, and afterwards
asked my men to bring on the affair of last night.
They feared, they said, to speak on such subjects whilst
the women were present. I begged for a- private audience;
still they would not speak till encouraged and
urged beyond all patience. I said, in Kisuahili, “Kbakka”
(king), “my men are afraid to tell you what I want to
say;” when Maula, taking advantage of my having engaged
his attention, though the king did not understand
one word I said, said of himself, by way of currying favour,
“ I saw a wonderful gun in Rumanika’s hands, with six
barrels; not a short one like your fiver” (meaning the
revolving pistol) “ but a long one, as long as my arm.”
“ Indeed,” says the king, “ we must have that.” A page
was then sent for by Maula, who, giving him a bit of
stick representing the gun required, told him to fetch it
immediately.
The king then said to me, “What is powder made of?”
'I began with sulphur (kibriti), intending to explain everything
; but the word kibriti was enough for him, and a
second stick was sent for kibriti, the bearer being told to
hurry for his life, and fetch it. The king now ordered
some high officers who were in waiting to approach.
They come, almost crouching to their knees, with eyes
averted from the women; and n’yanzigged for the favour
of being called, till they streamed with perspiration. Four
young women, virgins, the daughters of these high officers,
nicely dressed, were shown in as brides, and ordered to
sit with the other women. A gamekeeper brought in
baskets small antelopes, called mpdo—-with straight horns
resembling those of the saltiana, but with coats like the
hog-deer of India—intended for the royal kitchen Elderly
gentlemen led in goats as commutation for offences, and
went through the ceremonies due for the favour of being
relieved of so much property. Ten cows were then driven
in, plundered from Unyoro, and outside, the voices of the
brave army who captured them were heard n’yanzigging
vehemently. Lastly, some beautifully-made shields were
presented, and, because extolled, n’yanzigged over; when
the king rose abruptly and walked straight away, leaving
my fools of men no better off for food, or reparation for
their broken heads, than if I had never gone there.
22d.—I called on the queen to inquire after her health,
and to know how my men were to be fed; but, without
giving me time to speak, she flew at me again about my
men plundering. The old story was repeated; I had
forty-five hungry men, who must have food, and unless
either she or the king would make some proper provision
for them, I could not help it. Again she promised to
feed them, but she objected to their bearing swords, “ for
of what use are swords ? If the Waganda don’t like the
Wangtiana, can swords prevail in our country?” And,
saying this, she walked away. I thought to myself that
she must have directed the attack upon my camp last
night, and is angry at the Wanguana swords driving her
men away. At 3 p .m . I visited the king, to have a private
chat, and state my grievances; but the three shots fired
brought him out to levee, when animals and sundry other
things were presented; and appointments of Wakungu