quarters, I met the great chiefs o f Uganda with
whom I had struck up an acquaintance on my
first visit, among whom I recognized tall and
handsome Chambarango, the king’s steward
Kauta, Sambuzi, and lastly the Katekiro— the
Premier— brilliant in his scarlet robe, white dress,
and fez, attended b y a retinue almost regal.
T h e y all expressed their satisfaction at seeing
me alive and safe, and were all anxious to hear
how we had escaped from Bumbireh.
The next day at the usual levee hour of
Mtesa— 8 A.M.— the drums announced the levee
as begun, and half an hour later the pages came
to conduct me to the presence o f Mtesa. The
imperial quarters covered an area o f about 200
ya rd s square, and though but temporarily put
up, few Europeans could have constructed such
commodious houses and neat courts with such
means, as the Waganda had prepared for their
sovereign.
The gates o f the outer court were thronged
with representatives o f many countries, anxious
to get a glimpse o f the great monarch in his
state; but the guards were merciless, and with
gunstock and baton rudely thrust or beat back
the intrusive nameless, and were as flint-hearted
in their office as London policemen are on a
similar occasion. F o r me the pages sufficed.
Their presence cleared a broad road to the gate,
which was drawn widely open to allow our prorAugast
24,1875-1 MEETING WITH MTESA. 81
L jmja. J
cession to go by. One court was passed, and
when the gate o f the levee court was drawn
back, a most picturesque scene was disclosed.
In the centre, rose a conical hut, at the broad
doorway o f which sat a silent figure; 00 either
side were standard-bearers and the hereditary
guards, while, forming a broad crescent in the
front rank, were the chiefs and important captains
of the Empire seated; on mats. In the background
the bodyguards o f Mtesa s tood at
‘shoulder arms’ in double ranks; in one corner
were arranged the drummers and musicians, while
scattered here and there in the open space
before the monarch stood groups o f claimants
and courtiers.
As I advanced,, Mtesa rose, and came to the
edge o f the leopard-rug, on which his feet rested
while seated, and there was even greater warmth
in this greeting than on the former occasion at
Usavara. After a short pause, Sabadu,, the
chief who had conducted me from Bumbireh,
was. called forward to relate the incidents o f
our meeting, our fight with Bumbireh, and other
events o f the journey, which he did with a most
wonderful minuteness o f detail. He then in- my
name presented the captives o f Bumbireh to the
king, with an intercession that he: would not
slay them, but keep them in durance until their
ransom was paid b y Antari. Mtesa was then
informed o f the purpose o f my coming, which
THROUGH THE DARK CONTINENT. VOL. II. G