From the general conduct of the people since the departure of my party
with the post to Fatiko, I had a strong suspicion that some foul play
was intended, and that, when the 300 native carriers should have taken
the people across the Victoria Nile, they would desert them in the
night, and return with the boats. I therefore wrote a letter addressed
to the second vakeel, Eddrees, ordering him to return at once to Masindi
with the entire party if he had any suspicion of treachery.
I concealed this note in a packet of blue cloth, together with a few
little presents for Shooli and Gimoro, at Fatiko; but I had written on
the brown paper cover of the parcel, instructions that Eddrees or
Mohammed, the dragoman, should search the contents, as a letter was
hidden within. I gave this packet to Umbogo, telling him that it was a
present for Shooli, and begging him to despatch a messenger without
delay to overtake the party before they should have crossed the Victoria
Nile. The native messenger, to whom I gave a small gratuity, immediately
started; thus I should be able to forewarn my people in the event of
trouble.
In the afternoon Kabba Rega sent for me to repair the small musical box
that I had given him, which was slightly deranged. 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.
