Mtesa Now Said, "It Is Late, And Time
To Break Up; What Provisions Would You Wish To Have?" I Said,
"A
little of everything, but no one thing constantly." "And would
you like to see me to-morrow?" "Yes, every
Day." "Then you
can't to-morrow, for I have business; but the next day come if
you like. You can now go away, and here are six pots of
plantain-wine for you; my men will search for food to-morrow."
21st. - In the morning, whilst it rained, some pages drove in
twenty cows and ten goats, with a polite metaphorical message
from their king, to the effect that I had pleased him much, and
he hoped I would accept these few "chickens" until he could send
more, - when both Maula and N'yamgundu, charmed with their
success in having brought a welcome guest to Uganda, never ceased
showering eulogiums on me for my fortune in having gained the
countenance of their king. The rain falling was considered at
court a good omen, and everybody declared the king mad with
delight. Wishing to have a talk with him about Petherick and
Grant, I at once started off the Wakungu to thank him for the
present, and to beg pardon for my apparent rudeness of yesterday,
at the same time requesting I might have an early interview with
his majesty, as I had much of importance to communicate; but the
solemn court formalities which these African kings affect as much
as Oriental emperors, precluded my message from reaching the
king.
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