fired a salute, which, was contrary to orders; for ammunition
was at a low ebb, and I had done everything in my
power to nurse it. Therefore, as a warning to the others,
the guns of these two were, confiscated, and a caution
given that any gun in future let off, either by design or
accident, would be taken.
To-day I felt very thankful to get across the much-vexed
■ 3 K ^ i£ boundaiy-line, and enter Unyoro, guided bv
To South Frontier •> i • • r* /v» i station, Unyoro, Kamrasi s deputation of officers, and so shake
off the apprehensions which had teased us
for so many days. This first march was a picture of all
the country to its capital: an interminable forest of sma.11
trees, bush, and tall grass, with scanty villages, low huts,
and dirty-looking people clad in skins; the plantain,
sweet potato, sesamum, and iilezi (millet) forming the
chief edibles, besides goats and fowls; whilst the cows,
which are reported to be numerous, being kept, as everywhere
else where pasture-lands are good, by the wandering,
unsociable Wahuma, are seldom seen. No hills,
except a few scattered cones, disturb the level surface of
the land, and no pretty views ever cheer the eye. Uganda
is now entirely left behind; we shall not see its like again;
for the further one leaves the equator, and the rain-attracting
influences of the Mountains of the Moon, vegetation
decreases proportionately with the distance.
Fortunately the frontier village could not feed so large
To Kidgwiga’s, a party as ours, and therefore we were com-
2itA' pelled to move farther on, to our great delight,
through the same style of forest acacia, cactus, and tall
grass, to Kidgwiga’s gardens, where we no sooner arrived
than Mtdsa’s messenger - page, with a party of fifty
Waganda, dropped in, in the most unexpected manner,
to inquire after “ his royal master’s friend, Bana.” The
king had heard of the fight upon the river, and thought
the Wangiiana must be very good shots. He still trusted
we would not forget the gun and ammunition, but, above
all, the load of stimulants, for he desired that above all
things on earth. This was the fourth message to remind
us of these important matters which we had received since
leaving his gracious presence, and each time brought by
the same page. While the purpose of the boy’s coming
with so many men was not distinctly known, the whole
village and camp were in a state of great agitation, Budja
fearing lest the king had some fault to find with his work,
and the Wanyoro deeming it a menace of war, whilst I
was afraid they might take fright and stop our progress.
But all went well in the end; Massey’s log, which I
have mentioned as a present I intended for Mtesa, was
packed up, and the page departed with it. Some of
Biimanika’s men, who came into Unyoro with Baraka,
with four of K’yengo’s, were sent to call us by Kamrasi.
Through Biimanika’s men it transpired that he had stood
security for our actions, else, with the many evil reports
of our being cannibals and suchlike, which had preceded
our coming here, we never should have gained admittance
to the country. The Wanyoro, who are as squalid-looking
as the Wanyamubzi, and almost as badly dressed, now
came about us to hawk ivory ornaments, brass and copper
twisted wristlets, tobacco, and salt, which they exchanged
for cowries, with which they purchase cows from the
Waganda. As in Uganda, all the villagers forsake their
huts as soon as they heard the Wageni (guests) were coming
; and no one paid the least attention to the traveller,
save the few head-men attached to the escort, or some
professional traders.
25th to 28th.—I had no sooner ordered the march than
Vittagiira counter-ordered it, and held a levee to ascertain,
as he said, if the Waganda were to go back; for though
Kamrasi wished to see us, he did not want the Waganda.
It was Kamrasi’s orders that Budja should tell this to his
“ child the Mkavia,” meaning Mtdsa; for when the Waganda
came the first time to see him, three of his family