country. These poor creatures, in a desponding mood,
defended themselves by saying, which was quite true, that
W a g a n d a Officers d rin k in g Pombe, or P lan ta in -W in e .
they had left their homes in Sorombo to visit her, and to
trade. They had, since their arrival in the country, been
daily in attendance at her palace, but never had the good
fortune to see her excepting on such lucky occasions as
brought the Wazungu (white men) here, when she opened
her gates to them, but otherwise kept them shut. The
queen retorted, “And what have you brought me, pray?
where is it ? Until I touch it you will neither see me nor
obtain permission to trade. Uganda is no place for idle vagabonds.”
We then asked for a private interview, when, a
few drops of rain falling, the queen walked away, and we
had orders to wait a little. During this time two boys
were birched by-the queen’s orders, and an officer was
sent out to inquire why the watch we had given her did
not go. This was easily explained. I t had no k ey ; and,
never losing sight of the main object, we took advantage
of the opportunity to add, that if she did not
approve of it, we could easily exchange it for another
on arrival at G-ani, provided she would send an officer
with us.
The queen, squatting within her hut, now ordered both
Grant and myself to sit outside and receive a present of
five eggs and one cock each, saying coaxingly, “ These
are for my children.” Then taking out the presents, she
learned the way of wearing her watch with a tape guard
round her neck, reposing the instrument in her bare
bosom, and of opening and shutting it, which so pleased
her, that she declared it quite satisfactory. The key was
quite a minor consideration, for she could show it to her
attendants just as well without one. The towel and
handkerchiefs were also very beautiful, but what use
could they be put to ? “ Oh, your majesty, to wipe the
mouth with after drinking pombb.” “ Of course,” is the
reply — “ excellent; I won’t use a mbtigu napkin any
more, but have one of these placed on my cup when it is
brought to drink, and wipe my mouth with it afterwards.
But what does Bana want ? ” “ The road to Gani,” says
Bombay for me. “ The king won’t see him when he goes
to the palace, so now he comes here, trusting your superior
influence and good-nature will be more practicable.”
“Oh !” says her majesty, “ Bana does not know the facts
of the case. My son has tried all the roads without
success, and now he is ashamed to meet Bana face to face.”
“Then what is to be done, your majesty?” “ Bana must
go back to Karagiffi and wait for a year, until my son is
crowned, when he will make friends with the surrounding
chiefs, and the roads will be opened.” “ But Bana says he
will not retrace one step; he would sooner lose his life.”
“ Oh, that’s nonsense! he must not be headstrong; but
before anything more can be said, I will send a message
to my son, and Bana can then go with Kaddu, K’yengo,
and Viartingi, and tell all they have to say to Mtesa tomorrow,
and the following day return to me, when everything
will be concluded.” We all now left but Kaddu