Through Ruanda to Lake Kiwu 55 



Sultan had summoned all the leading men of the kingdom to 

 his residence. Many approached us and fell in at our van. 

 When acquaintances met, they greeted one another by putting 

 their arms lightly round each other's waist or seizing each other's 

 elbows. They remained in this position for a few moments. 

 " Amasho," one would then say ("I wish you cattle"). " Amasko 

 ngiirre, replied the other (" I wish you women "). It can, there- 

 fore, easily be understood that expectation became more eager 

 daily in our caravan ; everyone looked forward to some remark- 

 able and memorable incidents and was impatient for the moment 

 when he should be able to see the man whose name was a 

 household word in Ruanda, whose word was law, and by whose 

 sovereign will everyone in the whole wide realm of Ruanda 

 existed. 



At length we reached the high-lying residence. Hundreds of 

 Watussi advanced in front, increasing the already imposing 

 dimensions of our caravan. A few high-born subjects were 

 escorted by a number of carriers, bearing on their heads large 

 baskets containing apparel and necessaries of life for the 

 " Master." Others even led a cow along with them, in order that 

 a supply of fresh milk should be forthcoming. 



Shortly before our entry into the residence we had the 

 pleasure of meeting and greeting Captain von Grawert, who had 

 not shirked the long journey from Usumbura, and had already 

 been camping with the Sultan for some days. Our arrival was 

 watched from a distance, from the hill summits and elevated 

 spots, by thousands of people, quiet in demeanour. No loud noise 

 and clamour, no crushing throngs, as had been usual elsewhere, 

 signalled our entrance. The behaviour of the people compared 

 most favourably with that of their kindred on the coast. 



The intense eagerness with which the inhabitants of Niansa 

 watched us, however, had also a special reason. The imagina- 

 tion of the people had been strongly stirred by the display of 

 power which had been made, and which must particularly have 

 been associated with my own personality. The immense supplies 

 of provisions, the vast herds of cattle, which formed the presents 



