I Did Not Return To A Quiet Dinner, As I Had Hoped,
But To Meet The Summons Of The King.
Thinking it policy to obey,
I found him waiting my coming in the palace.
He made apologies
for not answering my gun, and tasted some spirits resembling
toddy, which I had succeeded in distilling. He imbibed it with
great surprise; it was wonderful tipple; he must have some more;
and, for the purpose of brewing better, would send the barrel of
an old Brown Bess musket, as well as more pombe and wood in the
morning.
13th. - As nothing was done all day, I took the usual promenade in
the Seraglio Park, and was accosted by a very pretty little
woman, Kariana, wife of Dumba, who, very neatly dressed, was
returning from a visit. At first she came trotting after me,
then timidly paused, then advanced, and, as I approached, stood
spellbound at my remarkable appearance. At last recovering
herself, she woh-wohed with all the coquetry of a Mganda woman,
and a flirtation followed; she must see my hair, my watch, the
contents of my pockets - everything; but that was not enough. I
waved adieu, but still she followed. I offered my arm, showing
her how to take it in European fashion, and we walked along to
the surprise of everybody, as if we had been in Hyde Park rather
than in Central Africa, flirting and coquetting all the way. I
was surprised that no one came to prevent her forwardness; but
not till I almost reached home did any one appear; and then, with
great scolding, she was ordered to return - not, however, without
her begging I would call in and see her on some future occasion,
when she would like to give me some pombe.
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