104 THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 



with Kidgwiga, the king's embassador, who proved himself not 

 an uninteresting conversationalist. Among many other things, 

 he said that Kamrasi and Mtesa in fact, all the Wahuma 

 came originally from a stock of the same tribe dwelling beyond 

 Kidi. All bury their dead in the same way, under ground: 

 but the kings are toasted first for months till they are like 

 sun-dried meat, when the lower jaw is cut out and preserved, 

 covered with beads. The royal tombs are put under the charge 

 of special officers, who occupy huts erected over them. The 

 umbilical cords are preserved from birth, and, at death, those 

 of men are placed within the door-frame, while those of 

 women are buried without this last act corresponding, accord- 

 ing to Bombay, the interpreter, with the custom of the 

 Wahiyow. On the death of any of the great officers of state, 

 the finger-bones and hair are also preserved ; or, if they have 

 died shaven, as sometimes occurs, a bit of their mbugu dress 

 is preserved in place of the hair. Their families guard their 

 tombs. 



Kidgwiga also confirmed a story which Speke first heard at 

 Karague, that there were dogs in Unyoro that had horns, and to 

 carry his assurance further, declared that he had seen one in the 

 possession of an official person, but it died. The horns of these 

 fabled dogs are filled with magic powder and placed on a war- 

 track for the marching army to step over, to secure them a vic- 

 tory. Sometimes a child is roasted with a cock to subserve a 

 like purpose. Kidgwiga also stated that all the bachelors of hi? 

 tribe have their habitations in trees, where they invariably sleep, 

 while married people dwell in houses. 



FEASTING ON MOUNTAINS, LAKES, AND HUMAN FLESH. 



IT was several days before Kamrasi would consent to receive, 

 personally, Speke or Grant, giving all manner of excuses, ap- 

 pointing meetings, but never appearing at them, though he sent 

 pombe, plantains and .flour, with his regards. Bombay was 

 dispatched to the king sometimes twice a day, requesting an 

 audience for his masters, but could only get promises, until 1 

 varried a rifle with him, and, at the king's request, shot a co 



