in the afternoon without further incident of
interest.
The- next day was devoted to preparing a
camp, arranging for supplies with the neighbouring
Watongoleh o f Mtesa during my absence,
and writing letters to the D a ily Telegraph and
New York H erald , giving in< brief an account-
o f the events which are described in detail in
this chapter, a co p y o f which was left, with
Frank to send to the coast b y w a y o f Karagwe
and Unyanyembe.
A score o f small matters employed my attention
until midnight, o f a similar nature to those
arranged before setting out from K a g eh y i on
the exploration b y circumnavigation o f Lake
Victoria in March. Before retiring, messengers
arrived in camp from Magassa— the dilatory admiral
o f the canoe fleet despatched as my convoy
in A p r il entreating me to wait a couple o f days
for him before setting out for the capital of
Uganda. But as every hour was now precious,
I was not able to defer my departure.
CH A P T E R H.
We find Mtesa at war — “ Jack’s Mount” — Meeting with
Mtesa—The Waganda army in camp and on the march
The imperial harem — In sight of the enemy— The
Waganda fleet— Preliminary skirmishing — The causeway
The massacre of Mtesa’s peace party— “What do you
know of angels?” — Mtesa’s education proceeds in the
intervals of w a r— Translating the Bible— Jesus or Mohammed?—
Mtesa’s decision — The royal proselyte.
(August 14—September 14, 1875.)
A t Dumo rumour and gossip were b usy about
a war and a mighty preparation which Mtesa,
the Emperor o f Uganda, was making for an
expedition against the Wavuma. He had not
been as y e t actually engaged, it was said, though
it was expected he would be shortly. In the
hope, then, o f finding him at his capital, I
resolved to be speedy in reaching him, so that,
without much d e la y , I might be able to return
and prosecute my journey to L ak e Albert.
T he first d a y , favoured b y a gale from the
north-west, the Lady A lice left the fastest of
the Waganda canoes far behind, but, obliged
to halt for her company r put in for the night
among the mosquito-haunted papyrus o f Bwiru.