for Bana if lie succeeds in getting tlie road through. Un-
yoro; for, should he fail, I will stand in his path at Bogiffi.”
Kitunzi offered an ivory for beads, and when told we were
not merchants, and advised to try K’yengo, he said he
dared not even approach K’yengo’s camp lest people should
tell the king of it, and accuse him of seeking for magical
powers against his sovereign. Old Nasib begged for his
discharge. It was granted, and he took a $50 letter on
the coast, and a letter of emancipation for himself and
family, besides an order, written in Kistiahili, for ten fundo
of beads on Rumanika, which made him very happy.
In the evening we called again at the palace with
pictures of the things the king required from Riimanika,
and a letter informing Rumanika what we wished done
with them, in order that there might be no mistake, requesting
the king to forward them after Maiila, Just then
Kaddii’s men returned to say they wanted provisions for
the way, as the Wazinza, hearing of their mission, asked
them if they knew what they were about, going to a
strange country without any means of paying their way.
But the king, instead of listening to reason, impetuously
said, “ If you do not pack off at once, and bring me the
things I want, every man of you shall lose his head; and
as for the Wazinza, for interfering with my orders, they
shall be kept here prisoners until you return.”
On the way home, one of the king’s favourite women
overtook us, walking, with her hands clasped at the back
of her head, to execution, crying, “N’yawo!” in the most
pitiful manner. A man was preceding her, but did not
touch her; for she loved to obey the orders of her king
voluntarily, and, in consequence of previous attachment,
was permitted, as a mark of distinction, to walk free.
Wondrous world ! it was not ten minutes since we parted
from the king, yet he had found time to transact this bloody
piece of business.
7th.—Early in the morning the king bade us come to
him to say farewell. Wishing to leave behind a favourable
impression, I instantly complied. On the breast of
my coat I suspended the necklace the queen had given
me, as well as his knife, and my medals. I talked with
him in as friendly and flattering a manner as I could,
dwelling on his shooting, the pleasant cruising on the lake,
and our sundry picnics, as well as the grand prospect
there was now of opening the country to trade, by which
his guns, the best in the world, would be fed with powder
—and other small matters of a like nature,—to which he
replied with great feeling and good taste. We then all
rose with an English bow, placing the hand on the heart
whilst saying adieu; and there was a complete uniformity
in the ceremonial, for whatever I did, Mtdsa, in an
instant, mimicked with the instinct of a monkey.
We had, however, scarcely quitted the palace gate before
the king issued himself, with his attendants and his
brothers leading, and women bringing up the rear; here
K’yengo and all the Wazmza joined in the procession with
ourselves, they kneeling and clapping their hands after the
fashion of their own country. Budja just then made me
feel very anxious, by pointing out the position of Urondo-
gani, as I thought, too far north. I called the king’s
attention to it, and in a moment he said he would speak
to Budja in such a manner that would leave no doubts in
my mind, for he liked me much, and desired to please me
in all things. As the procession now drew close to our
camp, and Mt&sa expressed a wish to have a final look at
my men, I ordered them to turn out with their arms and
n’yanzig for the many favours they had received. Mtbsa,
much pleased, complimented them on their goodly appearance,
remarking that with such a force I would have no
difficulty in reaching G-ani, and exhorted them to follow
me through fire and water; then, exchanging adieus