Lake Victoria 13 



power that was revealed to us from the river banks, and it was 

 increased in value by the entirely unconcealed appreciation 

 accorded by the English officers and all the crew of the Sybil, 

 to whom such a scene was entirely new. The march past lasted 

 for an hour and a half, and was completed by the arrival of 

 the 7th Company, stationed at Bukoba, and the troops obtained 

 by Lieutenant von Wiese for the expedition, flying the German 

 flag and that of my own country, Mecklenburg. 



Some seven thousand people awaited us on the banks as I 

 landed, escorted by Captain von Stuemer (the others had pre- 

 ceded us), for the welcome at ten o'clock. The soldiers and the 

 military police, together with the sultans' troops, came to the 

 salute. All the bands struck up, and in the midst of their strains, 

 which reverberated far away across the lake, there suddenly pene- 

 trated the customary ear-deafening clamour, shouting and hand- 

 clapping from the squatting crowd, whilst above this wild 

 din the melodious greeting of the Wahaia rang clearly out : 

 Kamerere, rugawa, Kamerere, rugdwa. 



After a hearty exchange of salutations with the sultans, by 

 shaking of hands and a few words in Suaheli, which is the 

 language generally used here, I was at last able to direct my 

 attention to the newly enlisted carriers for the expedition, 

 amongst whom I found many who were familiar to me from 

 the 1905 journey. These fine fellows seemed genuinely pleased 

 to see me, and came up and stretched out their hands in a loyal 

 fashion. 



At the house of the Resident, whither we were escorted by the 

 whole crowd, I greeted the missionaries of the White Fathers 

 stationed at Marienberg, at whose head stood Bishop Hirth. We 

 then sat down to a repast, in the middle of which Professor 

 Koch, who had returned from a tour of inspection, appeared 

 quite unexpectedly. I was also given an opportunity of 

 admiring the musical skill of the mission school band. 



The days we spent there passed quickly with native festivals, 

 at which dancing and the beating of the goma went on day and 

 night, and with visits in Marienberg and to the residence of 



