course I had to appear very much gratified, and as the
bowl went round, all became uproarious. I must wait
a day or two, however, that a proper selection might be
made; and when the marriage came off, I was to chain
the fair one two or three days, until she became used to
me, else, from mere fright, she might run away.
To keep up the spirits of the queen, though her frequent
potions of pombd had wellnigh done enough, I admired
her neck-ring, composed of copper wire, with a running
inlaid twist of iron, and asked her why she wore such a
wreath of vine-leaves, as I had often seen on some of the
Wakungfi. On this she produced a number of rings
similar to the one she wore, and taking off her own, placed
it round my neck. Then, pointing to her wreath, she
said, “ This is the badge of a kidnapper’s office—whoever
wears it, catches little children.” I inferred that its possession,
as an insigma of royalty, conferred on the bearer
the power of seizure, as the great seal in this country
confers power on public officers.
The queen’s dinner was now announced; and, desiring
me to remain where I was for a short time, she went to it.
She sent me several dishes (plantain-leaves), with well-
cooked beef and mutton, and a variety of vegetables, from
her table, as well as a number of round moist napkins,
made in the shape of wafers, from the freshly-drawn
plantain fibres, to wash the hands and face with. There
was no doubt now about her culinary accomplishments.
I told her so when she returned, and that I enjoyed her
parties all the more because they ended with a dinner.
“ More pombd, more pombd,” cried the queen, full of mirth
and glee, helping everybody round in turn, and shouting
and laughing at their Kiganda witticisms—making,
though I knew not a word said, an amusing scene to
behold till the sun sank; and her majesty remarking it,
turned to her court and said, “ If I get up, will Bana also
rise, and not accuse me of deserting him?” With this
speech a general rising took place, and, watching the
queen’s retiring, I stood with my hat in hand, whilst
all the Wakungfi fell upon their knees, and then all
separated.
28 th.—I went to the palace, and found, as usual, a
large levee waiting the king’s pleasure to appear; amongst
whom were the Kamraviona, Masimbi, and the king’s
sister Miengo. I fired my gun, and got admitted at once,
hut none of the others could follow me save Miengo. The
king, sitting on the chair with his women by his side,
ordered twelve cloths, the presents of former Arab visitors,
to be brought before him ; and all of these I was desired
to turn into European garments^ like my own coats,
trousers, and waistcoats. It was no use saying I had no
tailors—the thing must be done somehow; for he admired
my costume exceedingly, and wished to imitate it now he
had cloth enough for ever to dispense with the mbfigfi.
As I had often begged the king to induce his men, who
are all wonderfully clever artisans, to imitate the chair
and other things I gave him, I now told him if he would
order some of his sempsters, who are far cleverer with
the needle than my men, to my camp, I would cut up
some old clothes, and so teach them how to work. This
was agreed to, and five cows were offered as a reward;
but as his men never came, mine had to do the job.
Mafila then engaged the king’s attention for fully an
hour, relating what wonderful things Bana kept in his
house, if his majesty would only deign to see them; and,
for this humbug, got rewarded by a present of three
women. Just at this juncture an adjutant flew overhead,
and, by way of fun, I presented my gun, when the
excited king, like a boy from school, jumped up, forgetting
his company, and cried, “ Come, Bana, and shoot the
nundo; I know where he has gone—follow me.” And
away we went, first through one court, then through
another, till we found the nundo perched on a tree, look