54 In the Heart of Africa 



The whole style and manner of their address and speech 

 was very striking. One received the impression of being in the 

 presence of an entirely different class of men who had nothing 

 further in common with the " niggers " than their dark com- 

 plexion. The demeanour of our carriers, who appeared equally 

 impressed, confirmed our view. Having received a goodly 

 number of presents in exchange, the two emissaries placed them- 

 selves as leaders at the head of our column. 



By the afternoon we reached the Niawarongo, a tributary 

 of the Kagera, and finished our march for the day, for the cross- 

 ing of the small cattle caravans, which had now increased to 

 the size of several hundred animals, and the transport of the 

 numerous loads lasted until the darkness fell. As the water 

 scarcely rose above a metre, the work was simplified by forming 

 a chain of men across the river. In this way all the loads and 

 animals were safely passed from hand to hand, and so to the 

 opposite bank. We carried commissariat stores in abundance, 

 and it was with a certain degree of anxiety that we observed 

 day by day the increase in the number of live stock. The 

 approach of a fresh commissariat caravan shortly after our 

 arrival with another reinforcement of about thirty goats, which 

 had to be assimilated with the main body, increased our anxiety. 

 But it w^ould be difficult to describe our irritation when we saw 

 yet a third caravan coming down the hill-slope with another string 

 of thirty goats, which, of course, made a further inroad on our 

 stock of barter goods. All protests against our acceptance of 

 the gifts were quickly met with " Amri ya Msinga " (" By order 

 of Msinga "). 



The nearer we approached the Sultan's residence the larger 

 grew the number of Watussi marching at the head of the expe- 

 dition. We soon became aware that the Sultan was preparing 

 a grand reception. In all the villages we passed the Watziales 

 were absent, and to our inquiries as to their whereabouts we 

 were answered by "Niansa." From all sides of the country com- 

 missariat caravans and herds of small cattle, led by Watussi, 

 were heading in the same direction. It seemed as though the 



