254 THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 



father, Kamrasi, but it must not be forgotten that though his 

 father was dead the son was still living ; therefore all the presents 

 intended for Kamrasi might be handed over to himself. 



A large musical box, with drums and bells, was then exhibited. 

 This was one of the best instruments of its kind, and it played 

 a remarkably good selection of airs, which quite charmed the 

 audience. Among the presents given to Kahba Regu was a small 

 musical snuff-box. This was now wound up and exhibited, but 

 the greedy young fellow at once asked, "Why don't you give 

 me the large box?" 



Baker gave the royal beggar many presents, and then tried to 

 explain the importance to him of opening up the country to 

 legitimate commerce, but to all his arguments Kabba Rega replied : 

 " You were my father's friend and brother: your wife was the 

 same. You drove back the slave-hunters under Mohamed by 

 hoisting your flag. Since you left us, the slave-hunters have 

 returned and ruined the country. My father is dead, but Rionga 

 is still alive. Now you are my father, and your wife is my 

 mother: will you allow your son's enemy to live?" 



It was quite useless to argue with this hardened young bar- 

 barian, who had not an idea of mercy in his disposition. As he 

 had murdered his own relatives by the foulest treachery, so he 

 would of course destroy any person who stood in his way. 



AN EXHIBITION OF BUFFOONS. 



ONCE more it was necessary to change the conversation. A 

 number of buffoons that were kept about the court for the amuse- 

 ment of the young king now came forward. The crowd was 

 driven back, and an open space having been thus cleared, they 

 performed a curious theatrical scene, followed by a general fight 

 with clubs, until one man, having knocked down all the party, 

 remained the victor. The scene terminated with an act of dis- 

 gusting indecency, which created roars of laughter from the 

 immense crowd, who evidently considered this was the great joke 

 of the piece. 



Kabba Rega now took leave, and retired as he had come, with 

 drums, whistles, horns, and flageolets, making a horrid din. 



