This was now
wound up and exhibited, but the greedy young fellow at once asked "Why I
did not give him the large box?"
I gave him a regular lecture upon the advantages of commerce that would
introduce an important change in this extraordinary country; at the same
time I recalled to his recollection, that I had promised his father to
open up a commercial route by which the productions and manufactures of
the north should arrive in Unyoro, and render that country even more
prosperous than Uganda. I had now arrived, as the lieutenant of the
Khedive, according to my promise, and the whole of the equatorial Nile
basis would be taken under his protection. No unnecessary wars would be
permitted, but he (Kabba Rega) would remain as the representative of the
government, and the affairs of the country would be conducted through
him alone.
I assured him that no country could prosper without industry and a good
government; that agriculture was the foundation of a country's wealth;
and that war or civil disturbance, which interfered with agricultural
employment, would ruin the kingdom. He replied that "Rionga was the sole
cause of war; therefore it would be necessary to destroy him before any
improvements could be made. If Rionga were killed and the slave-hunters
expelled from the country, there might be some hope of progress; but
that it was wasting breath to talk of commerce and agriculture until
Rionga should be destroyed."
This was Kamrasi's old tune once more dinned into my ears. In my former
journey I had been deserted by my carriers and starved for three months
at Shooa Moru, simply to induce me to yield to this repeated demand:
"Kill Rionga; or give me your men to assist me against him."
From what I had heard I considered that Rionga must be a very fine
fellow, and much superior to either Kamrasi or his son.
In my former journey I had accomplished a long and difficult exploration
without firing a shot at a human being; and I had studiously avoided
meddling in native politics, which is certain to involve a traveller in
difficulty. It had always been a source of great satisfaction when I
looked back to my past adventures, and reflected that I had never pulled
a trigger at a native; thus the arrival of a white man in these
countries would be regarded without suspicion.
In my present expedition I had always endeavoured to preserve peace,
but, as this work will show, I was in every instance forced to war in
absolute self-defence. I was therefore determined not to attack Rionga,
unless he should presume to defy the government.
In reply to Kabba Rega and his chiefs, who all had joined in the
argument, I declared that I would find means to establish peace, and
that Rionga would assuredly come to terms.
