- Which gave me an opportunity of saying I
would like to see his ships, for I heard they were very numerous-
-and also his menagerie, said to be full of wonderful animals.
He said the vessels were far off, but he would send for them; and
although he once kept a large number of animals, he killed them
all in practising with his guns. The Whitworth rifle was then
brought in for me to take to pieces and teach him the use of; and
then the chronometer. He then inquired if I would like to go
shooting? I said, "Yes, if he would accompany me - not
otherwise." "Hippopotami?" "Yes; there is great fun in that,
for they knock the boats over when they charge from below." "Can
you swim?" "Yes." "So can I. And would you like to shoot
buffalo?" "Yes, if you will go." "At night, then, I will send
my keepers to look out for them. Here is a leopard-car, with
white behind its ears, and a Ndezi porcupine of the short-quilled
kind, which my people eat with great relish; and if you are fond
of animals, I will give you any number of specimens, for my
keepers net and bring in live animals of every kind daily; for
the present, you can take this basket of porcupines home for your
dinner." My men n'yanzigged - the king walked away, giving orders
for another officer to follow up the first who went to Ukori, and
bring Petherick quickly - and I went home.
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