474 THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 



Mtesa,and had been obedient enough to remain with him. They 

 now felt more disposed than ever to desert, but on the following 

 day their fears were dissipated by a friendly message from 

 Mirambo. His ambassadors, three fine-looking young men, 

 were handsomely dressed in fine red and blue cloth coats, and 

 snowy white shirts, with ample turbans around their heads. 

 They were confidential captains of Mirambo's body-guard. 



"Mirambo sends his salaams to the white man," said the 

 principal of them. " He hopes the white man is friendly to him, 

 and that he does not share the prejudices of the Arabs, and 

 believe Mirambo a bad man. If it is agreeable to the white man, 

 he will send words of peace to Mirambo !" 



"Tell Mirambo," replied Stanley, " that I am eager to see 

 him, and would be glad to shake hands with so great a man, and 

 as I have made strong friendship with Mtesa and Rumanika, I 

 shall be rejoiced to do likewise with Mirambo. Tell him I hope 

 he will come and see me as soon as he can." 



The next day Mirambo, having dispatched a Ruga-Ruga (one 

 of his captains) to announce his coming, appeared with about 

 twenty of his principal men. 



Stanley shook hands with him with fervor, which drew a smile 

 from the chief, as he said, * The white man shakes hands like a 

 strong friend." 



His person quite captivated Stanley, for he was a thorough 

 African gentleman in appearance, very different from any con- 

 ception of the terrible bandit who had struck his telling blows at 

 native chiefs and Arabs with all the rapidity of a Frederick the 

 Great environed by foes. 



The interview was of the most friendly character, and they 

 parted each with a high regard for the other. On the following 

 day Stanley returned the visit, and the ceremony of blood- 

 brotherhood was performed. 



On leaving Serombo, Mirambo accompanied Stanley a con- 

 siderable distance outside the village, gave him several presents, 

 and otherwise showed the kind and friendly feeling which he 

 really felt for the white man. 



