56 In the Heart of Africa 



from the Sultan, and the presence of Resident von Grawert, who 

 came to meet us in full uniform, all this had made a tremendous 

 impression on the minds of the people. 



"The great ox arrives with his calves," flew the message from 

 summit to summit. " He has four arms and six legs," which was 

 meant less as a description of my personal appearance than the 

 impression upon the pastoral mind of my power and might. 



Thanks to Captain von Grawert's good offices, my camp was 

 now most carefully and excellently laid out in a broad space 

 not far from the Sultan's huts. For we were awaiting a visit 

 from the "Mami." 



Before " the mighty one " appeared, however, we were wit- 

 nesses of a highly diverting scene. Great crowds of Wahutu 

 had gathered round the camp. Their curiosity being aroused, 

 they had flocked around and stared hard at the new arrivals. 

 It was evident, however, that Msinga considered these masses 

 of people would spoil the effect of his approach, for suddenly 

 two forms clothed in red togas appeared upon the scene, staring 

 fiercely at the crowd, and swinging long staffs round their heads 

 with very unmistakable intent, and they whirled them recklessly, 

 with their full strength, into the midst of the people. But the 

 latter were apparently familiar with this manoeuvre, for at the 

 same moment that the staff-bearers began to swing their weapons 

 over their heads the whole mass was off in wild flight, and only a 

 few laggards were struck. The square was empty in a trice. 

 A few of the most curious who ventured to return had stones 

 flung at them to drive them away. 



A moment later the rolling of drums was heard from the 

 palace, and then we were spectators of a unique drama such 

 as could only be enacted far from the beaten path of the 

 ordinary traveller. 



The splendid figures of the Ruanda princes, with their sons, 

 marching in pairs, headed the procession. Msinga's palanquin, 

 which then left the gate of the residence, followed slowly. 

 Everyone wore festive apparel, similar to that in which Nanturu 

 and Bussissi had appeared. Their bodies were naked, but their 

 hips were wound round by a narrow loin-cloth of tanned cow- 



