A Spy Of Kamrasi Dropped The Report That The
Wanguana Were Returning From Mtesa's, And Hurried On To Tell The
King.
31st. - Some Waganda hurrying in, confirmed the report of last
night, and said the Wanguana, footsore, had been left
At the
Uganda frontier, expecting us to return, as Mtesa, at the same
time that he approved highly of my having sent men back to inform
him of Kamrasi's conduct, begged we would instantly return, even
if found within one march of Kamrasi's, for he had much of
importance to tell his friend Bana. The message continued to
this effect: I need be under no apprehensions about the road to
the coast, for he would give me as many men as I liked; and,
fearing I might be short of powder, he had sent some with the
Wanguana. Both Wanguana were by the king given women for their
services, and an old tin cartridge-box represented Mtesa's card,
it being an article of European manufacture, which, if found in
the possession of any Mganda, would be certain death to him.
Finally, all the houses and plantains where my men were wounded
had been confiscated.
When this message was fully delivered, Budja said we must return
without a day's delay. I, on the contrary, called up Kidgwiga. I
did not like my men having been kept prisoners in Uganda, and
pronounced in public that I would not return. It would be an
insult to Kamrasi my doing so, for I was now in his "house" at
his own invitation.
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