doths were hoisted above this curious structure
which, when closed up all round, appeared to
move o f its own accord in a v e ry mysterious
manner, and to conceal within its silent and
impenetrable walls some dread thing, well calculated
to strike terror into the mind o f the
ignorant savage.
A t eight o clock on the morning o f the
13th October the army was assembled at Nakaranga
with unusual display, and it was pro-
claimed across the strait from the extremity of
he causeway that a terrible thing w as approaching
which would blow them into atoms i f they
did not make peace at once and acknowledge
the powe r o f Mtesa; and I believe that they
e c a red that all the Muzimus. and the charms
o f Uganda were within, for I heard something
said about Muzimu and Uganda. The old Mvuma
c . ie was also placed in prominent view, and
w. UCe *° Ur^e t^lem to accept the terms which
Mtesa offered, viz. pardon to all, provided they
went through the form o f submission. After this
announcement, which was made with all gravity
the awful mysterious structure appeared, while
he drums beat a tremendous sound, and the
multitude o f horns blew a deafening blast.
It was a moment o f anxiety to me, for mani-
fold reasons. The fort, perfectly defensible in.
itse lf against the most furious assaults b y men
armed with spears, steadily apj^roached the
point, then steered direct for the island of
Ingira, Until it was within fifty yards.
“ S p e a k ,” said a stentorian voice amid a
deathly silence within. “ What will yo u do?
Will yo u make peace and submit to Mtesa, or
shall we blow up the island? Be quick and
answer.”
There was a moment’s consultation among the
awe-stricken Wavuma. Immediate decision was
imperative. The structure was vast, totally unlike
anything that was ever visible on the waters
of their sea. There was no person visible, y e t
a voice spoke clear and loud. Was it a spirit,
the Wazimu o f all Uganda, more propitious to
their enemy’s prayers than those o f the Wavuma?
It might contain Some devilish, awful thing, something
similar to the evil spirits which in their
hours o f melancholy and gloom their imagination
invoked. There was an audacity and confidence
in its movements that was perfectly appalling,
“ S p e a k ,” repeated the stern voice; “ we cannot
wait longer.”
Immediately, to our relief, a man, evidently
a chief, answered, “ Enough; let Mtesa be satisfied.
W e will collect the tribute to-day, and will come
to Mtesa. Return, 'O spirit, the war is ended!”
A t which the mysterious structure solemnly began
its return back to the cove where it had been
constructed, and the quarter o f a million o f
savage human beings, spectators o f the extra-
K j