On Nearing His Palace, We Heard War-Drums Beat In Every
Surrounding Village, And The Kirangozi Would Go No Farther Until
Permission Was Obtained From M'yonga.
This did not take long, as
the chief said he was most desirous to see a white man, never
having been to the coast, though his father-in-law had, and had
told him that the Wazungu were even greater people than the
sultan reigning there.
On our drawing near the palace, a small,
newly-constructed boma was shown for my residence; but as I did
not wish to stop there, knowing how anxious Grant would be to
have his relief, I would not enter it, but instead sent Baraka to
pay the hongo as quickly as possible, that we might move on
again; at the same time ordering him to describe the position
both Grant and myself were in, and explain that what I paid now
was to frank both of us, as the whole of the property was my own.
Should he make any remarks about the two cows that were stolen, I
said he must know that I could not wait for them, as my brother
would die of suspense if we did not finish the journey and send
back for him quickly. Off went Baraka with a party of men,
stopping hours, of course, and firing volleys of ammunition away.
He did not return again until the evening, when the palace-drums
announced that the hongo had been settled for one barsati, one
lugoi, and six yards merikani.
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