that the last words he had heard as the Waganda
paddled away from Bumbireh were, “ L o o k out
for mischief to-morrow,” which no doubt meant
that the war “ shauri” was nearly terminated,
and that all were b y this time worked up into
proper fighting spirit.
T h e Expedition was now ready to move towards
Uganda, but the waterway had first to
be opened; whatever p lo t was on hand must be
frustrated, and treachery punished; otherwise
impunity would inspire an audacity which might
be dangerous to our safety.
A p a r t, therefore, from a duty owing to the
wounded Waganda and the dead chief o f Kytawa,
as well as to our respect for and gratitude to
Mtesa and K y taw a— apart from the justice which,
according to all laws human and divine, savage
and civilized, demands that blood shall atone for
blood, especially when committed with malice
prepense, and the memory o f our narrow escape
from their almost fatal wiles, and the days of
agony w e had suffered— there la y the vital, absolute,
and imperative necessity o f meeting the
savages lest th e y should meet us. F o r they
were b y this time reinforced b y about 2000
auxiliaries from the mainland; they were flushed
with triumph at their success in the snare they
had set for the unsuspecting Waganda, and the
sight o f their dead victim would only inspire
them with a desire for more blood.
A s I could not see any w a y to avoid the
conflict, I resolved to meet them on their own
island, and b y one decisive stroke break this
overweening savage spirit. I should, however,
wait the result o f my last message, for it might
be that the capture o f one o f Antari’s sons
might induce them to embrace peaceful proposals.
Accordingly next morning a couple o f ammunition
b o x e s were opened, and twenty rounds
distributed to each man who bore a rifle or
musket; 230 spearmen and fifty musketeers were
detailed for a fighting party, and eighteen canoes
were prepared to convey them to Bumbireh.
I waited until noon, having gazed through a
field-glass many times in the direction o f Bumbireh,
but nothing was observed approaching
Mahyiga.
T he force was therefore mustered, and I addressed
it to this effect:—-
“My friends and Wangwana,— W e must have
the sea clear. Whatever mischief these people
have meditated must be found out b y u s , and
must be prevented. I am about to go and punish
them for the treacherous murder o f our friends,
i shall not destroy them, therefore none o f yo u
are to land unless we find their canoes, which
we must break up. W e must fight till th ey or
we give in, for it can only b y decided in this
mannet. While in the fight, yo u will do ex ac tly
as I tell you, for I shall be able to judge whether