On the 2 1 st July we arrived at the southernmost
o f the dreaded Bumbireh group, Mahyiga
Island, which I ascertained, after careful survey,
was not inhabited.
A t a little cove on the western side we discovered
relics o f a large camp, which, b y the
shape o f the dome-like huts and bonneted doorways,
had, we were assured, been constructed
b y Waganda. Y e t what force o f Waganda could
have penetrated thus far to the south?
A s we were now in a dangerous neighbourhood,
it behoved us to form a proper camp, as
a small pa rty would be compelled to remain
upon this island until the remainder o f the E x pedition
could be brought from Refuge Island.
F o r this purpose, every hand was employed to
clear the scrub and bush for a distance o f 200
yards from the cove, and a road 12 feet wide
was cut from the south side o f Mahyiga Island
to the north end.
Ab out 5 p .m ., while we were still at work, two
large canoes approached cautiously from the direction
o f Iroba Island towards our cove. T hey
to o k great pains to ascertain the number o f our
canoes, and we could see that th ey endeavoured
to reckon up the number o f men on the island
before they spoke a word. Finally they hailed
us, and Lukanjah, o f Ukerewe, and Kijaju’s man
w e re requested to reply to them.
Our conversation, which was o f great interest
to us as we burned to know what to expect
from Bumbireh was as follows:—
“ Is this the white chief who was at Bumbireh?”
“ Yes.”
“ Oh, he was not lost on the Nianja then?”
“No, he lives, and has returned.”
“ Oh. T he white chief must not be angry with
Iroba. W e did not trouble him, therefore he
has no quarrel with us. T he people o f Bumbireh
are bad. What has the white chief come for?”
“ He is going to Uganda.”
“ How can he go to Uganda? Does he not
know that Bumbireh is in the way, and Ihangiro’s
eyes will be upon him. W ill he fly ? ”
“ No; he will proceed b y water in his canoes.
Tell Bumbireh the white chief is not afraid; his
young men are many in number. If the men o f
Bumbireh wish to make friends, let Shekk a send
the oars he stole, and the white chief will be
glad.”
“Magassa,” replied th e y , “ who camped on
that island y o u are on, received the oars from
Shekka, and he to o k them away to Uganda,
believing yo u were lost in the Nianja.”
“ T he white chief was not lost; he is here.
If it is true that the oars are gone to Uganda,
let Shekka make friends with the white chief,
and send him two or three men to g o with him
to Makongo, in Uzongora, or to Uganda, as
Lukongeh o f Ukerewe and Kijaju o f Komeh have