Within The Square Of Men, Immediately Fronting The King, The War-Arms Of Uganda Were Arranged In Three Ranks; The

Great war-drum, covered with a leopard-skin, and standing on a large carpeting of them, was placed in advance;

Behind this, propped or hung on a rack of iron, were a variety of the implements of war in common use, offensive and defensive, as spears - of which two were of copper, the rest iron - and shields of wood and leather; whilst in the last row or lot were arranged systematically, with great taste and powerful effect, the supernatural arms, the god of Uganda, consisting of charms of various descriptions and in great numbers. Outside the square again, in a line with the king, were the household arms, a very handsome copper kettledrum, of French manufacture, surmounted on the outer edge with pretty little brass bells depending from swan-neck-shaped copper wire, two new spears, a painted leather shield, and magic wands of various devices, deposited on a carpet of leopard-skins - the whole scene giving the effect of true barbarous royalty in its uttermost magnificence.

Approaching, as usual, to take my seat beside the king, some slight sensation was perceptible, and I was directed to sit beyond the women. The whole ceremonies of this grand assemblage were now obvious. Each regimental commandant in turn narrated the whole services of his party, distinguishing those subs who executed his orders well and successfully from those who either deserted before the enemy or feared to follow up their success.

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