On the 27th we were encamped at Kisossi, j
in Uganda, a little east o f where Sambuzi had
joined us with his force. A t this camp we
parted; Sambuzi, or Mta-usa, the Spoiler, to his
own land close by, I to what fortune, or misfortune,
had still reserved in store for me and
mine. T h e “ Spoiler” made his cognomen good,
for on the road from the lake he despoiled me
o f 180 lbs. o f variously assorted beads, by-
failing to return three loads o f beads given him
for carriage to .Uganda,, thus adding another
reason to my dissatisfaction with him.
I halted at Kisossi three days to give the E x pedition
a little of that rest they so well deserved.
During this time I despatched Kacheche
and two others with a letter to Mtesa, wherein
I did not fail to report to him o f the failure of
Sambuzi to perform what he had promised me,
o f his theft o f three bags o f beads, and o f the
strange conduct o f Sabadu and Bugomba.
T h e effect o f my letter on Mtesa and his
court, Kacheche informed me a few days later,
when he overtook us at Charugawa, was one
o f shame, surprise, and rage. Kacheche was
called to the Burzah, and told to repeat in a
loud voice all that had happeried between Sambuzi
and myself since we had met at Laugurwe,
while Mtesa and his chiefs listened intently, the
recital broken b y violent exclamations and
ominous ejaculations from the Emperor.
r J a n . , 1876.1 “ THE SPOILER” EATEN UP. 269
f Uganda. J
When Kachéché had ended, Mtesa said, Do
you see now how I am shamed b y my people?
This is the third time I have been made to break
ffly word to white men. But, b y the grave o f
Suna” (a strong oath in Uganda), “ my father, I
will teach Sambuzi', and all o f y o u , that you
cannot mock Kabuka! Standee went to this lake
for my good as well as for his own, but yo u
see how I am thwarted b y a base slave like
Sambuzi, who undertakes to be more than I
myself before my guest. When was it I dared
to be so uncivil to my guest as this fellow has
been to Stamlee? You, Saruti,” he said suddenly
to the chief o f his bodyguard, “ tak e warriors,
and eat up Sambuzi’s country clean, and bring
him chained to me.”
Saruti prostrated himself, and swore he would
eat the “ Spoiler’s ” land clean, and become the
“ Spoiler” himself, and that Sambuzi should be
brought to him chained like a slave. Y e t let
it be noted here that Saruti and Sambuzi were
as loving at the Nakaranga Cape camp as two
sworn brothers.
“ And you, Katekiro,” said Mtesa, turning his
glowing eyes on him, “ how is it that your
brother Bugomba— a mere little b o y— plays ^ the
great man on duty? T e ll m e whence he obtained
this kb ig head’ o f his?”
“ My lo rd ” (“ Mkama ange” ), “ Bugomba is a