That State Trick Failing To Frighten And Stop Us, He Tried
Another, By Saying, When We Departed, He Hoped We
Would leave two
men with guns behind, to occupy our present camp, and so delude
the people into the belief
That merely a party of their
followers, and not the white men themselves, had left his house,
for the purpose of spreading terror in the minds of the people we
might meet, who, not knowing the number of men behind, would
naturally conclude there was a large reserve force ready to
release us in case of necessity.
This foxy speech was too transparent to require one moment's
reflection. In a country where men were property, the fate of
one or two left behind was obvious; and had we doubted that his
object was to get possession of them, his next words would have
sufficiently revealed it. He said, "As you gave men to Mtesa,
why would you refuse them to me?" but was checkmated on being
told, "Should any of those men who deserted us in this country
ever reach their homes, they will all be hung for breaking their
allegiance or oath." "Well," says the king, "I have acceded to
everything you have to say; and the day after to-morrow, when I
shall have had time to collect men to go with you, and selected
the two princes you have promised to educate, we will meet again
and say good-bye; but you must give me a gun and some more
medicine, as well as the powder and ball you promised after
reaching the vessels." This was all acquiesced in, and we wished
to take his portrait, but he would not have it done on any
consideration. The Kamraviona and Kidgwiga followed us home, and
told Bombay the king did not wish us to leave till next moon, and
then he would like us to fight his brothers on the way. This
message, sent in such an underhand manner after the meeting,
Bombay failed to deliver, telling them he should be afraid to do
so.
6th. - The Kamraviona was sent to us with four loads of fish and a
request for ammunition, notwithstanding everything asked for
yesterday had been refused until we reached the vessels.
"Confound Kamrasi!" was the reply; "does he think we came here to
trick kings that he doubts our words? We came to open the road;
and, as sure as we wish it, we will send him everything that has
been promised. Why should he doubt our word more than anybody
else? We are not accustomed to be treated in this manner, and
must beg he won't insult us any more. Then about fighting his
brothers, we have already given answer that we never fight with
black men; and should the king persist in it, we will never take
another thing from his hands. The boys shall not go to England,
neither will any other white men come this way." The Kamraviona
made the following answer:
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