Through Ruanda to Lake Kiwu 57 



hide in two transverse folds, from which a number of strings of 

 otterskin or cowhide fell down to the ankles, which in their turn 

 were adorned with various metal rings. On their heads were 

 hair-combs reaching from ear to ear, in which a thin pearl chain 

 lay gleaming. Long yellow strings of banana hemp hung down 

 in a copious mass from their necks to their breasts, on which 

 pearl ornaments of varying sizes, called mitako, were fastened. 

 Their wrists were encircled with bracelets of copper wire and 

 glass beads of various colour. Thus the train approached my 

 tent with measured steps and quiet, dignified demeanour. Our 

 guard of honour for the Sultan — a Schaiisch * and two men — 

 presented arms. The Sultan's litter, a long simple basket, 

 the bamboo rods of which rested on the shoulders of Batwa 

 people, was carefully lowered, and with the German words, 

 " Guten morgen, Eiier Hoheit," Msinga stretched out his hand 

 to me. 



The Sultan's figure, a little rounded in contour in consequence 

 of his easy manner of life, exceeds two metres in height. One 

 searches vainly at first for an expression of his vaunted intelli- 

 gence, and an eye defect, coupled w^ith strongly protruding upper 

 teeth, emphasises the unfavourable impression. Yet the questions 

 which he addressed to me, and to those standing round, whilst 

 reclining near me in a long chair, touched on the most various 

 spheres of interest and bore witness to his keen, logical power 

 of thought. 



After a lengthy conversation, which was carried on in the 

 Suaheli tongue and which touched on many topics, Msinga 

 begged to be allowed to deliver his presents to me. This was a 

 moment of great political importance and keen suspense to 

 Msinga and his friends, as well as to his enemies, as the refusal 

 of any portion of such presents would be a sign on my part that 

 I was desirous of assisting the pretender to the crown, a relative 

 of Msinga's, and that I wished to overthrow the reigning 

 " Mami." 



A tremendous gathering of people had therefore assembled 

 * Schausch, non-commissioned officer. 



