The knoll
was about eighty feet lower than our high position; therefore, as we had
roughly cut down the grass, we looked directly upon the village.
We lost no time in erecting the large astronomical telescope upon its
stand. This was placed upon the flat gravel approach in front of the
government divan, and through the powerful glass we could distinguish
each feature, and the expression of every individual countenance of the
crowd within the village.
During the day, messengers arrived from Kabba Rega with an official
explanation of the misunderstanding. They declared that it was entirely
the fault of Matonse, who would be soon captured; that Kabba Rega
desired them to express his deep regret; "Was he not my son? Did he not
depend upon the protection of his father?" He only begged for peace. The
natives had been killed in great numbers; therefore "if we had lost a
few soldiers, the Unyoro had lost many - so the affair was settled."
I told them that nothing could ever compensate for the loss of Monsoor,
who had been so treacherously killed; at the same time, if Kabba Rega
could prove that the guilt really lay with Matonse, the simple plan
would be to deliver him up to me.
I recalled to their recollection how I had passed ten months in Unyoro
in the reign of Kamrasi, at which time I had only an escort of thirteen
men, and no misunderstanding had ever occurred. I explained that the
fault was not on my side. An attempt had been made to poison us
collectively; we had then been surprised by a thoroughly organized
attack, at a time when the troops were supposed to have been disabled by
the poison.
Kabba Rega must clear his character. If he were innocent, I should be
only too happy.
The matongale, or sheik, who was the principal messenger, assured me
that Kabba Rega was quite in despair, and that he had given orders for
provisions and a large quantity of ivory to be collected, which would be
sent to us on the day following, in charge of Rahonka and Kittakara.
The want of provisions was sorely felt; fortunately, as our cows had
been dying daily, the troops had some sweet potatoes that had been
purchased in exchange for flesh. These would last for a few days.
A short time before the attack, I had promised to send Kabba Rega a
porcelain cache-pot. I therefore took the opportunity of reminding the
sheik of my promise, and I begged him to deliver the piece of china to
Kabba Rega as a proof of my peaceful intentions, should he really be
innocent of the treachery.
