Soldiering and Sport in Uganda 



beheld this fairy land of colour, and shouting to the 

 boys, orderlies, and porters, soon animated them to 

 stir and bustle. 



In order not to lose time I sent them on 

 ahead while I finished my dressing. This was a 

 fortunate move on my part, for when I started 

 to overtake them on my bicycle, I discovered 

 that notwithstanding my most careful instructions, 

 they had missed the path which led to Kabula and 

 were well on the way down the big main road 

 leading to Masaka, which I had taken the night 

 before. What I had then regarded as a misfortune 

 was really a blessing in disguise, as I was able to 

 rectify the mistake and to save them a day's march 

 in the wrong direction. No doubt with them it was 

 more than half a case of the wish being father to 

 the deed, as they much preferred the big broad road 

 to a rough native path covered with thorns, which 

 entered their feet, and lined with sharp rocks against 

 which they knocked their toes and "barked" their 

 shins. 



Eventually I arrived at the residence of Lu- 

 mama, the big chief of the district, whom I had 

 met before. He displayed great joy at seeing me 

 again, but was unfortunately very ill. He, however, 

 placed his son at my disposal. This boy had fine 

 manners, and spoke English in a very methodical 

 manner, which was more attractive than otherwise. 

 He had been schooled at Kampala, and was 

 accordingly well versed in European ways. He 

 saved me no end of time and trouble. As soon as 



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