- Karambule now told us to string our beads on the
fibre of the Mwale tree, which was sold here
By the Wasui, as he
intended to live in the palace for a couple of days, arranging
with Suwarora what tax we should have to pay, after which he
would come and take it from us; but we must mind and be ready,
for whatever Suwarora said, it must be done instantly. There was
no such thing as haggling with him; you must pay and be off at
once, failing which you might be detained a whole month before
there would be an opportunity to speak on the subject again.
Beads were then served out to all my men to be strung, a certain
quantity to every kambi or mess, and our work was progressing;
but next day we heard that Karambule was sick or feigning to be
so, and therefore had never gone to the palace at all. On the
6th, provoked at last by the shameful manner in which we were
treated, I send word to him to say, if he did not go at once I
would go myself, and force my way in with my guns, for I could
not submit to being treated like a slave, stuck out here in the
jungle with nothing to do but shoot for specimens, or make
collections of rocks, etc. This brought on another row; for he
said both Virembo and Vikora had returned their hongos, and until
their tongues were quieted he could not speak to Suwarora.
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