tag, &c. “ Ah, but,” Kaduma would say, “ does
a man w o rk when he is hungry? Can he talk
when he is thirsty?” T he elders slily exchange
winks and nods o f approval, at which Kaduma
bursts into a hoarse chuckle— never a laugh—
for Kaduma is remarkable for possessing the
conceit o f humour. Others may laugh at his
dry sayings, but he himself never laughs: he
chuckles.
T h e great jar o f froth-topped pombe* is then
brought up b y a naked youth o f fourteen or
fifteen years, who is exceedingly careful to plant
the egg-bottomed ja r firmly in the ground lest
it should topple over. Beside it is conveniently
placed Kaduma’s favourite drinking-cup, as large
as a quart measure, and cut out o f a symmetrically
shaped gourd. Kaduma is now seated on
a favourite low s tool, and folds his greasy
Sohari cloth about him, while the elders are
seated on either side o f him on w ood chips,
or a x e handles, or rocks. T h e foaming ja r is
ready, and the dusky Ganymede attentive. K a duma
stretches out his hand languidly— it is all
affectation, for Kaduma is really thirsty— and
Ganymede, with both hands, presents the cup
kneeling. T h e pombe being broached, the valves
o f the “ shauri” ; are opened. During the hour
devoted to the consumption o f the pombe, K a duma
may be said to be rational, and even in-
* Native beer, made from fermented grain or coarse flour.
terested in business. Withal he is g a y , lighthearted,
and pleasant in conversation; grand projects
are hinted at; trading expeditions even as
far as Ujiji suggested; a trip to tTnyanyembe
and Zanzibar appears to be in serious contemplation
with him. But, alas! the pombe is ended.
Kaduma goes to sleep. A t three o ’c lo ck he
expands again into a creature o f intelligence.
Tw o -or three pots are exhausted between 3 and
6 P.M., and finally Kaduma reels to his cot like
the inebriated Sot he really is. Ala s ! for the
virtues o f a naturally intelligent nature drowned
b y such intemperance! Alas! for the fine attributes
o f manhood conquered b y vile indulgences!
Alas! for the brains muddled b y Such impurities
!
It will be apparent’, then, that, though the
Prince o f K a g eh y i is a well-meaning and Well-
disposed creature, he possessed an infirmity that
rendered him incapable o f rendering me that
service which he had himself suggested to me.
He promised that he would accompany me in
my exploration o f L a k e Victoria! It is to be
doubted, after acquiring such a knowledge o f
his character, whether his intentions could be
fulfilled. Y e t he informed me that he had visited
Ukerewe, Ururi, and Ug ey ey a, and would, for
a consideration, place himself at my disposal.
The consideration was ready, but Kaduma, unfortunately
for me, I saw, could not be re ad y
02