He wished to have a look at the presents I had brought for Mtesa.

I declined to gratify it, taking my stand on my dignity; there was no occasion for any distrust on such a trifling matter as that, for I was not a merchant who sought for gain, but had come, at great expense, to see the king of this region.

I begged, however, he would go as fast as possible to announce my arrival, explain my motive for coming here, and ask for an early interview, as I had left my brother Grant behind at Karague, and found my position, for want of a friend to talk to, almost intolerable.

It was not the custom of my country for great men to consort with servants, and until I saw him, and made friends, I should not be happy.

I had a great deal to tell him about, as he was the father of the Nile, which river drained the N'yanza down to my country to the northward.