Soldiering and Sport in Uganda 



gingerbread biscuits, two boxes of matches, and 

 20 cents (3d.). He was simply overwhelmed. He, 

 however, caused some dissatisfaction by announcing 

 that we would have to travel two camps, amounting 

 to twenty-five miles, the next day, to reach water. 

 I allayed this partially by a promise of 2 cents 

 (^d.) to each porter. He then introduced his two 

 small children, to whom I gave gingerbread and 

 cents. I also presented the little girl with an empty 

 sparklet, which I showed her how to use as a top. 

 She thanked me in the native manner — viz., hold- 

 ing it out in her hands and shaking it several times 

 up and down. The old man then went off wonder- 

 fully pleased, not before he had made a very long 

 speech. He told me there were some kongoni buck 

 in the neighbourhood, but a long way off. 



Several natives came into camp, and I amused 

 myself watching my Luganda porters telling them 

 news. The Luganda language is quite entertain- 

 ing and pleasing to listen to. They gesticulate 

 tremendously, as is customary with most natives, 

 so you can generally gather the train of their 

 conversation. They also modulate the tones of 

 their voices in a most fascinating and amusing 

 manner. For instance, when pointing out a place 

 that is close, they tell you in a very low voice; but 

 if far away, they raise their voices to a falsetto 

 pitch, pouting their lips in the direction and talk- 

 ing rapidly. 



Again, when explaining the presence of much 

 game in the place, they put their fingers to their 



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