Torches were then lit, and guns, pistols, powder, boxes, tools, beads--the whole collection, in short--were tossed together topsy-turvy, bundled into mbugus, and carried away by the pages.

Mtesa now said, "It is late, and time to break up; what provisions would you wish to have ?" I said, "A little of everything, but no one thing constantly." "And would you like to see me to-morrow ?" "Yes, every day." "Then you can't to-morrow, for I have business; but the next day come if you like.

You can now go away, and here are six pots of plantain-wine for you; my men will search for food to-morrow." 21st .-- In the morning, whilst it rained, some pages drove in twenty cows and ten goats, with a polite metaphorical message from their king, to the effect that I had pleased him much, and he hoped I would accept these few "chickens" until he could send more,--when both Maula and N'yamgundu, charmed with their success in having brought a welcome guest to Uganda, never ceased showering eulogiums on me for my fortune in having gained the countenance of their king.

The rain falling was considered at court a good omen, and everybody declared the king mad with delight.

Wishing to have a talk with him about Petherick and Grant, I at once started off the Wakungu to thank him for the present, and to beg pardon for my apparent rudeness of yesterday, at the same time requesting I might have an early interview with his majesty, as I had much of importance to communicate; but the solemn court formalities which these African kings affect as much as Oriental emperors, precluded my message from reaching the king.