Everybody in a hurry falls into his place the
best way he can - Wakungu leading, and women behind.
They rattle
along, through plantains and shrubs, under large trees, seven,
eight, and nine feet in diameter, till the beautiful waters are
reached - a picture of the Rio scenery, barring that of the higher
mountains in the background of that lovely place, which are here
represented by the most beautiful little hills. A band of
fifteen drums of all sizes, called the Mazaguzo, playing with the
regularity of a lot of factory engines at work, announced the
king's arrival, and brought all the boats to the shore - but not
as in England, where Jack, with all the consequence of a lord at
home, invites the ladies to be seated, and enjoys the sight of so
many pretty faces. Here every poor fellow, with his apprehensions
written in his face, leaps over the gunwale into the water -
ducking his head for fear of being accused of gazing on the fair
sex, which is death - and bides patiently his time. They were
dressed in plantain leaves, looking like grotesque Neptunes. The
king, in his red coat and wideawake, conducted the arrangements,
ordering all to their proper places - the women, in certain
boats, the Wakungu and Wanguana in others, whilst I sat in the
same boat with him at his feet, three women holding mbugus of
pombe behind. The king's Kisuahali now came into play, and he
was prompt in carrying out the directions he got from myself to
approach the hippopotami.
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