86 rfHE WORLD'S WONDERS. 



and as these were generally given to the men for food Speke hud 

 no compunctions of conscience in complying. Only occasionally, 

 however, would the king use the gun himself, appearing to have 

 suspicions that in some way it was under the control of a wicked 

 spirit. Once he loaded the weapon, putting in a double charge 

 of powder, and fired at a cow ; the bullet not only passed through 

 the animal, but also through a fence, and then through the center 

 of a woman who chanced to be passing along on the outside. 

 This shot greatly pleased the king, leading him to believe that 

 one bullet, well directed, might slay an entire line of soldiers, and 

 that he might be able to shoot down an army by ranks. 



DROLL DELIGHTS OF A BOY KING. 



ON the following day the king sent for Speke, to join him on 

 a neighboring hill, and to bring the shot-guns with him. He 

 cheerfully complied, and on reaching the appointed place, 

 he found Mtesa hat in hand and his face wreathed in smiles 

 of welcome. After examining the gun, the king led off toward 

 a large tree in which were many adjutant birds and vultures 

 nesting. He requested his companion to shoot some of the birds 

 for his amusement, but Speke passed the gun back to him and 

 asked him to display his own skill. Mtesa, howevet, was still 

 fearful lest there might be dangerous magic in the gun. To 

 please him, therefore, Speke killed an adjutant as it sat in a nest, 

 and as a vulture flew out he brought that down with the other 

 barrel. This created immense excitement, and the natives were 

 spell-bound with astonishment, while the king jumped about, 

 clapping his hands and shouting, " Woh ! woh ! woh ! what 

 wonders! Oh, Bana, Bana, what miracles he performs!" in 

 which exultation he was joined by his servants and under-officers. 

 " Now load, Bana load, and let us see you do the same again," 

 cried the king, but before the loading was half completed he 

 said, " Come along, and let us see the birds." Then directing 

 the officers which way to go for, by the etiquette of the palace 

 every one must precede the king he sent them through a court 

 whera his women, afraid of the guns, were concealed. Here 

 some fences iuterfered with the impetuous rush, but the king 



