old tin cartridge-box represented Mfrsa’s card, it being
an article of European manufacture, which, if found in the
possession of any Mganda, would be certain death to him.
Finally, all the houses and plantains where my men were
wounded had been confiscated.
When this message was fully delivered, Budja said we
must return without a cl ay is delay. I, on the contrary,
called up Kidgwiga. I did not like my men having been
kept prisoners in Uganda, and pronounced in public that
I would not return. It would be an insult to Kamrasi
my doing so, for I was now in his “ house” at his own
invitation. I wished Bombay would go with him (Kidgwiga)
at once to his king, to say I had hoped, when I
sent Budja with Mabriiki, in the first instance, conveying
a friendly present from Mtdsa, which was done at my.
instigation, and I found Kamrasi acknowledged it by a
return-present, that there would be no more fighting between
them. I said I had left England to visit these
countries for the purpose of opening up a trade, and I
had no orders to fight my way except with the force of
friendship. That Rumanika had accepted my views Kamrasi
must be fully aware by Baraka’s having visited him;
and that Mtdsa did the same must be also evident,'else
he would never have ordered his men to accompany me
to Gani; and I now fondly trusted that these Waganda
would be allowed to go with me, when, by the influence
of trade, all animosity would cease, and friendly relations
be restored between the two countries.
This speech was hardly pronounced when Kajunjii, a
fine athletic man, dropped suddenly in, nodded a friendly
recognition to Budja, and wished to know what the Waganda
meant by taking us back, for the king had heard
of their intention last night I and when told by Budja his
Btary, and by Kidgwiga mine, he vanished like a shadow.
Budja, now turning to me, said, “ If you won’t go back,
I shall, for the orders of Mtdsa must always be obeyed,
else lives will be lost; and I shall tell him that you, since
leaving his country, and getting your road, have quite
forgotten him.” “ If you give such a message as that,” I
said, “ you will tell a falsehood. Mtesa has no right to
order me out of another man’s house, to be an enemy with
one whose friendship I desire. I am not only in honour
bound to speak with Kamrasi, but I am also bound to
carry out the orders of my country just as much as you
are yours; moreover, I have invited Petherick to come to
Kamrasi’s by a letter from Karagiid, and it would be ill-
becoming in me to desert him in the hands of an enemy,
as he would then certainly find Kamrasi to be if I went
back now.” Budja then tried the coaxing dodge, saying,
“ There is much reason in your words, but I am sorry you
do not listen to the king, for he loves you as a brother.
Did you not go about like two brothers—walking, talking,
shooting, and even eating together ? It was ’ the
remark of all the Waganda, and the king will be so vexed
when he finds you have thrown him over. I did not tell
you before, but the king says, ‘How can I answer Ruin
a n ik a . if Kamrasi injures Bana ? Had I known Kamrasi
was such a savage, I would not have let Bana go
there; and I should now have sent a force to take him
away, only that some accident might arise from it by
Kamrasi’s taking fright; the road even to Gani shall be
got by force if necessary.’ ” Then, finding me still persistent,
Budja turned again and threatened us with the
king’s power, saying, “ If you choose to disobey, we will
see whether you ever get the road to Gani or n o t; for
K am r a si is at war on all sides with his brothers, and
Mtesa will ally himself with them at any moment that
he wishes, and where will you be then ?”
Saying this, Budja walked off, muttering that our being
here would much embarrass Mtdsa’s actions; whilst
my Wanguana, who have been attentively listening, like
timid hares, made up their minds to leave me, and tried,