We Inquired For
The Boats At Once, But Were Told They Were Some Distance Off, And
We Must Wait Here For The Night.
Four pots of pombe were sent
us, and Kaeru thought we would be satisfied and conform.
We
suspected, however, that there was some trick at the bottom of
all; so, refusing the liquor, we said, with proper emphasis,
"Unless we are forwarded to the boats at once, and get them on
the following morning, we cannot think of receiving presents from
any one." This served our purpose, for a fresh set of porters was
found like magic, and traps, pombe, and all together, were
forwarded to the journey's end - a snug batch of huts imbedded in
large plantain cultivation surrounded by jungle, and obviously
near the river, as numerous huge harpoons, intended for striking
hippopotami, were suspended from the roof. Kaeru here presented
us with a goat, and promised the boats in the morning.
After fighting for the boats, we still had to wait the day for
Kidgwiga and his men, who said it was all very well our pushing
ahead, indifferent as to whether men were enlisted or not, but he
had to prepare for the future also, as he could never recross the
Kidi wilderness by himself; he must have a sufficient number of
men to form his escort, and these were now grinding corn for the
journey. Numerous visitors called on us here, and consequently
our picture-books were in great request. We gave Kaeru some
beads.
After walking two miles to the boats, we entered the district of
Chopi, subject to Unyoro, and went down the river, keeping the
Kikunguru cone in view. On arrival at camp, Viarwanjo, the
officer of the district, a very smart fellow, arrived with a
large escort of spearmen, presented pombe, ordered fowls to be
seized for us, and promised one boat in the morning, for he had
no more disposable, and even that one he felt anxious about lest
the men on ahead should seize it.
I gave Viarwanjo some beads, and dropped down the river in his
only wretched little canoe - he, with Grant and the traps, going
overland. I caught a fever, and so spent the night.
Here I halted to please Magamba, the governor, who is a relation
of the king. He called in great state, presented a cow and
pombe, was much pleased with the picture-books, and wished to
feast his eyes on all the wonders in the hut. He was very
communicative, also, as far as his limited knowledge permitted.
He said the people are only a sub-tribe of the Madi; and the
reason why the right bank of the river is preferred to the left
for travelling is, that Rionga, who lives down the river, is
always on the look-out for Kamrasi's allies, with a view to kill
them. Magamba also, on being questioned, told us about Ururi, a
province of Unyoro, under the jurisdiction of Kimerziri, a noted
governor, who covers his children with bead ornaments, and throws
them into the N'yanza, to prove their identity as his own true
offspring; for should they sink, it stands to reason some other
person must be their father; but should they float, then he
recovers them.
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