I replied that, until
he fulfilled his agreement to clear the high grass from the
neighbourhood, I could not think of attending to any request, as he had
broken all his promises.
In half an hour after this answer he sent forty men, under Kittakara, to
commence the clearing, as he was in despair about his musical box.
Two native merchants from the distant country of Karagwe, who had been
sent by their king, Rumanika, to purchase ivory from Unyoro, had arrived
at Masindi. These people were brought to me on 26th May, accompanied by
Kittakara, together with Umbogo, the interpreter. I observed that
Kittakara was acting the part of spy, to overhear and to report the
substance of the conversation. Some excitement had been caused by the
report that two travellers were residing with Rumanika, and that these
people had arrived from the M'wootan N'zige. I was in hopes that one of
these travellers might be Livingstone.
The Karagwe merchants were well-dressed, and very civilized-looking
people. They stared upon arrival in the divan, and were shortly seated
upon a mat before me.
After some conversation, I questioned them concerning the travellers,
and I immediately wrote both questions and replies in my journal, which
I now give verbatim.
"Have you personally seen the travellers?"
Answer: "Yes; one is tall, with a long beard and white hair. The other
is a very black man (an African), and short."
Question: "How do they eat?"
Answer: "With a knife and fork and plate."
Question: "Have they a compass" (Compass exhibited)?
Answer: "No; but they have a small mirror like those in your
possession."
Question: "Do they purchase ivory?"
Answer: "Yes. We are now sent by Rumanika to buy ivory for them."
Question: "Have they a large quantity?"
Answer: "An immense quantity. They have a large house, which is quite
full."
Question: "How will they transport it?"
Answer: "They are building a vessel of iron on the M'wootan N'zige, upon
the borders of which they are now staying."
Question: "Do they know that I am commanding this expedition?"
Answer: "Yes; they have frequently asked `whether you had arrived;' and
they wish to go to Khartoum."
"There is no trace of poor Livingstone in their description. I imagine
that some enterprising Portuguese trader is building a ship to trade
upon M'wootan N'zige. God help him if he tries to transport his ivory by
this route.
"I shall write to Livingstone by the first opportunity. Like all other
of my informants, these native merchants told me that the M'wootan
N'zige extended to Karagwe, after a long turn to the west. It varied
much in width, and at Karagwe it was narrow."
For some days I had conversations with these intelligent people. They
brought me two elephants' tusks to sell, as they wished to show Rumanika
the quality of goods that were now introduced from the north. I made
them a few presents, after the bargain, to create a favourable
impression, and I once more cross-examined them upon geographical
questions.
Their description of the east shore of the M'wootan N'zige was as
follows:
Geographical Information:
"South of Unyoro is a country Kabboya;
" " Kabboyu " " Tambooki;
" " Tambooki " " M'Pororo;
" " M'Pororo " " Ruanda;
" " Ruanda " " Baroondi;
" " Baroondi " " Chibbogora;
" " Chibbogora " " Watuta;
" " Watuta " " Manchoonda;"
"Beyond the Machoonda they knew nothing, except that the lake extends
for an enormous and unknown distance.
"On the west shore, opposite Kabboyu and Tambooki, is situated the
cannibal country of Booamba.
"The route to Karagwe from Masindi, via the M'wootan N'zige (Albert
N'yanza), is - take boat from Chibero (a day's long march from Masindi)
to M'Pororo - at which spot you leave the boat, and proceed overland in
one day to the Karagwe frontier.
"The Kittangide river passes through M'Pororo, N'Kole, and Kishakka,
and, after a very winding course, it cuts through Karagwe, and falls
into the Victoria N'yanza.
"'Baroondi' must be Speke's 'Urundi;' as I find that many names that he
has prefixed with 'U' are here pronounced as 'B.'
"By Speke's map Urundi is in about 3 degrees south latitude. The
M'wootan N'zige is therefore known to pass through Ruanda, Baroondi, and
the Watuta - or beyond the north end of the Tanganyika Lake.
"This looks as though the Tanganyika and the M'wootan N'zige were only
one vast lake bearing different names according to the localities
through which it passes."
I have extracted this from my journal, as it was written at the moment
that the information was given. I have no theory, as I do not indulge in
the luxury of geographical theories; but I shall give my information in
the same words in which I received it from the natives. Speculative
geographers may then form their own opinions.
From the day when Kabba Rega had denied the possession of the guns and
ammunition belonging to the irregular levy, he had never appeared at his
new divan, neither had I seen him.
Upon many occasions I had sent to request his attendance, but he was
always in the sanctuary of his own private house, or rather
establishment of houses; these were a series of enormous beehive-shaped
straw and cane dwellings in a courtyard of about an acre, surrounded by
a fence, and guarded by many sentries, each of whom had a small but
built in the middle of the hedge.
Since the departure of the irregular levy, I had noticed a decided
change in the demeanour of the chiefs. Kittiakara, who had been our
greatest friend, could never look me in the face, but always cast his
eyes upon the ground when speaking or listening.
The food for the troops was obtained with the greatest difficulty, after
constant worry and endless applications. It was in vain that I insisted
upon the right of paying for a supply of corn; the chiefs replied:
