We passed several small villages, and made
twelve miles, N. lat. 1 degree 59 minutes. I gave various seeds of
European vegetables to the headman; and I myself sowed the seeds of
water-melons and sweet melons in his garden, and explained their
cultivation.
"April 17. - All the carriers have absconded. There is extensive
cultivation in this district, and the tobacco is well attended, as the
tops of the plants are carefully nipped off to prevent them from running
too much into stalk.
"The chief, Kittakara, who is a kind of prime minister to Kabba Rega,
gave me this afternoon the history of the country.
"Kabba Rega is the sixteenth king since the original conquest of Unyoro
by the Gallas. These invaders arrived from the East, beyond the country
of the Langgos.
"To this day a peculiar custom is observed. Before a new king can ascend
the throne, he is compelled to sleep during two nights on the east of
the Victoria Nile. He then marches along the path by which his
victorious ancestor invaded Unyoro, and upon reaching the river, he
takes boat and crosses to the exact landing-place where the original
conqueror first set his foot upon the frontier.
"April 18. - I purchased a quantity of excellent tobacco and divided it
among the soldiers as a reward for their having respected the native
gardens during the march.
"Kittakara is the only gentleman that I have seen in the country, and he
never asks for presents, thus forming an extraordinary exception to the
rule of Unyoro society.
"I gave him a blue blanket, a zinc mirror, a spoon, comb, and four red
and yellow handkerchiefs. To Quonga I gave a tarboosh (fez), and four
yards of turkey red cloth.
"April 19. - Fresh carriers arrived, and we started at 10.45 A.M., and
halted at 4 P.M. - twelve miles. Forest and high grass as usual
throughout the route, which would render this country highly dangerous
in case of hostilities.
"The lofty mountains on the west shore of the Albert N'yanza are now in
view about fifty miles distant. We halted at a populous district, and
occupied a village at Chorobeze.
"There is an impression of general ruin in passing through this
wonderfully fertile country. The slave-hunters and their allies have
produced this frightful result by ransacking the district for slaves.
"The civil dissensions after Kamrasi's death were favourable for the
traders' schemes. The two sons, Kabba Rega and Kabka Miro, contended for
the throne. The latter was royally born by sire and mother, but Kabba
Rega was a son by a shepherdess of the Bahoomas. The throne belonged by
inheritance to Kabka Miro, who, not wishing to cause a civil war, and
thus destroy the country, challenged his brother to single combat in the
presence of all the people. The victor was to be king.
"Kabba Rega was a coward, and refused the challenge.
