THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 



89 



control his mirth, but laughed out, whereupon the king and all 

 others present also began laughing, in imitation, like a crowd of 

 apes. A sedate old dame then arose, and turning the maidens 

 right about, sent them marching out of the tent with their backs 

 completely exposed. In describing this levee with the king, 

 Speke adds the following : 



"I have now been for some time within the court precincts, 

 and have consequently had an opportunity of witnessing court 

 customs. Among these, nearly every day since I have changed 

 my residence, incredible as it may appear to be, I have seen one, 



LEADING A WIFE TO EXECUTION. 



two, or three of the wretched palace women led away to execu- 

 tion, tied by the hand, and dragged along by one of the body- 

 guard, crying out, as she went to premature death, * Hai 

 minange!' (Oh my lord!) Kbakka ! ' (My king!) 'Hai 

 n'yawo ! ' (My mother !) at the top of her voice, in the utmost 

 despair and lamentation ; and yet there was not a soul who dared 

 lift hand to save any of them, though many might be heard 

 privately commenting on their beauty." 



A MONSTROUSLY FAT QUEEN. 



MTESA, who was not more than twenty years of age at the 

 time Speke visited him, was ruler of Uganda, but not absolute^ 



