Finally, wading through one pretty pure
streamlet, whose soft murmurs we took for a gentle welcome, we
passed the boundary of wicked Uhha, and had entered Ukaranga! -
an event that was hailed with extravagant shouts of joy.
Presently we found the smooth road, and we trod gaily with
elastic steps, with limbs quickened for the march which we all
knew to be drawing near its end. What cared we now for the
difficulties we had encountered - for the rough and cruel forests,
for the thorny thickets and hurtful grass, for the jangle of all
savagedom, of which we had been the joyless audience! To-morrow!
Ay, the great day draws nigh, and we may well laugh and sing while
in this triumphant mood. We have been sorely tried; we have been
angry with each other when vexed by troubles, but we forget all
these now, and there is no face but is radiant with the happiness
we have all deserved.
We made a short halt at noon, for rest and refreshment. I was
shown the hills from which the Tanganika could be seen, which
bounded the valley of the Liuche on the east. I could not contain
myself at the sight of them. Even with this short halt I was
restless and unsatisfied. We resumed the march again. I spurred
my men forward with the promise that to-morrow should see their reward.
We were in sight of the villages of the Wakaranga; the people
caught sight of us, and manifested considerable excitement. I sent
men ahead to reassure them, and they came forward to greet us. This
was so new and welcome to us, so different from the turbulent Wavinza
and the black-mailers of Uhha, that we were melted. But we had
no time to loiter by the way to indulge our joy. I was impelled onward
by my almost uncontrollable feelings. I wished to resolve my doubts
and fears. Was HE still there? Had HE heard of my coming? Would HE
fly?
How beautiful Ukaranga appears! The green hills are crowned by
clusters of straw-thatched cones. The hills rise and fall; here
denuded and cultivated, there in pasturage, here timbered, yonder
swarming with huts. The country has somewhat the aspect of Maryland.
We cross the Mkuti, a glorious little river! We ascend the opposite
bank, and stride through the forest like men who have done a deed
of which they may be proud. We have already travelled nine hours,
and the sun is sinking rapidly towards the west; yet, apparently,
we are not fatigued.
We reach the outskirts of Niamtaga, and we hear drums beat. The
people are flying into the woods; they desert their villages, for
they take us to be Ruga-Ruga - the forest thieves of Mirambo, who,
after conquering the Arabs of Unyanyembe, are coming to fight the
Arabs of Ujiji.
