have it done on any consideration. The Kamraviona and
Kidgwiga followed us home, and . told Bombay the king
did not wish us to leave till next moon, and then he
would like us to fight his brothers on the way. This
message, sent in such an underhand manner after the
meeting, Bombay refused to deliver, telling them he
should be afraid to do so.
6 th. The Kamraviona was sent to us with four loads
of fish and a request for ammunition, notwithstanding
everything asked for yesterday had been refused until we
reached the vessels. “ Confound Kamrasi!” was the reply;
“ does he think we came here to trick kings that he
doubts our words? We came to open the road; and, as
sure as we wish it, we will send him everything that has
been promised. Why should he doubt our word more
than anybody else ? We are not accustomed to be treated
in this manner, and must beg he won’t insult us any more.
Then about fighting his brothers, we have already given
answer that we never fight with black men; and should
the king persist in it, we will never take another thing
from his hands. The boys shall not go to England, neither
will any other white men come this way.” The Kamraviona
made the following answer:—“ But there are two
more things the king wishes to know about: he has asked
the question before, but forgotten the answers. Is there
any medicine for women or children which will prevent
the offspring from dying shortly after birth ?—for it is a
common infirmity in this country with some women, that
all their children die before they are able to walk, whilst
others never lose a child. The other matter of inquiry
was, What medicine will attach all subjects to their king ?
—for Kamrasi wants some of that most particularly.” I
answered, “ Knowledge of good government, attended with
wisdom and justice, is all the medicine we know of; and
this his boys can best learn in England, and instruct him
in when they return.”
'jth.—We went to meet Kamrasi at his Kafti palace
to bid good-bye. After all the huckstering and begging
with which he had tormented us, the state he chose to
assume on this occasion was very ludicrous. He sat with
an air of the most solemn dignity, upon his throne of skins,
regarding us like mere slaves, and asking what things we
intended to send to him. On being told we did not like
being repeatedly reminded of our promises, he came down
a little from his dignity, saying, “ And what answer have
you about the business on the island?” — meaning the
request to fight his brothers. That, of course, could not
be listened to, as it was against the principles of our
country. Grant's rings were then espied, and begged for,
but without success. We told him it was highly improper
to beg for everything he saw, and if he persisted in it, no
one would ever dare to come near him again.
Then, to change the subject, we begged K’yengo’s men
might be allowed to go as far as Gani with u s ; but no
reply was given, until the question was put again, with a
request that the reasons might be told us for his not
wishing it, as we saw great benefit would be derived
to Unyoro, as the Wanyamudzi, instead of trading merely
with Karagud and Zanzibar, would bring their ivory
through this country and barter it, thus converting Unyoro
into a great commercial country; when Kamrasi
said, “We don’t want any more ivory in Unyoro; for the
tusks are already as numerous as grass.” Kidgwiga was
then appointed to receive all the things we were to send
back from Gani; our departure was fixed for the 9 th ;
and the king walked away as coldly as he came, whilst
we felt as jolly as birds released from a cage.
Floating islands of grass were seen going down the
Kafu, reminding us of the stories told at Kaze by Musa
Mzuri, of the violent manner in which, at certain seasons,
the N’yanza was said to rise and rush with such velocity
that islands were uprooted and carried away. In the