XXX.] 



I STAND UPON MY DIGNITY. 



397 



I have no doubt that many of Mshiri's men liave visited hoth 

 coasts, and that a message might be sent by means of these peo- 

 ple from Benguela to Zanzibar. 



Mshiri has issued an edict compelling all his subjects to adopt 

 the tribal marks of the Wanyamwezi, and many natives of Bilic 

 visiting Katanga have also complied with this order to curry 

 favor with him. 



About nine o'clock the next morning, a messenger informed 

 me that Kagnombe was ready to receive me. Making myself 

 as tidy and presentable as the scantiness of my kit would allow 

 and taking with me half a dozen of my men, I went to one of the 

 gullies on the side of which Kagnombe's private compound was 

 situated. 



The gate was guarded by men wearing red waistcoats, and 

 carrying spears and knives ; and, on entry, I found a double row 

 of small stools placed for the accommodation of the audience, 

 while at the far end was the large arm-chair of the great man 

 himself, standing on my leopard -skin. 



Seeing no particular place assigned to me, and not feeling 

 disposed to occupy a stool on a level with my men, I sent for 

 my chair. This proceeding was at first most warmly resisted 

 by the othcials, on the ground that no person was ever allowed 

 to sit on a chair in the presence of Kagnombe : I therefore 

 should not be permitted to introduce such a fashion. In reply 

 I assured them that it did not matter, for I should simply with- 

 draw from the levee, and not wait to see Kagnombe, upon which 

 my chair was admitted, and I took my seat. 



