42 MRULI TO RUBAGA IN UGANDA. 



and children, three or four men, and several goats, as booty. 

 I was at once given clearly to understand that we must now 

 remain here two days, in order that it might not appear as if 

 we were robbers running away with our spoil. I naturally 

 remonstrated very strongly against this interpretation, and 

 requested the gentlemen to set free their prisoners and the 

 goats, for then none could accuse us of robbery. This they 

 at first refused to do, but after the night had passed in perfect 

 quiet, just as I had expected, they at last consented to listen to 

 my protestations ; and after we had given our wounded into the 

 care of some neighbouring friendly chiefs, we continued our 

 march, taking with us, however, our prisoners, who were to be 

 delivered up to Mtesa. 



The ground rose sensibly yesterday, and as soon as we had 

 left the banana grove to-day we commenced to climb over 

 ridges of hills, in the valleys between which were muddy 

 watercourses. The hills ran directly across our route, which 

 gradually rose until the heights between the mountains of 

 Duhuli and Naduima being passed, we arrived at a number 

 of granite blocks thrown together in groups at the edge of 

 the first-named mountain, and interspersed among bananas. 

 From here there opened out an extensive view across the 

 country. This place seemed made for taking a triangulation 

 of the numerous mountain peaks which range themselves on 

 all sides in the distance. Banana groves, with groups of huts, 

 green fields, blue mountains, shady valleys, and a smiling 

 heaven, composed an enchanting picture before our eyes, and 

 merrily we continued our way over firm red clay, right through 

 the banana groves. A road about twenty feet broad, clean 

 and well kept, led to our night-quarters at Kyikasa. Upon 

 the road we traversed to-day the Carina indica grows abun- 

 dantly, in full red bloom, the same as that which I noticed so 

 often last year at Fauvera. The black round seeds are made 

 into necklaces. Notwithstanding that the plant is so common 

 here, it does not appear to have been noticed by any traveller. 

 A brilliant moonlight night followed an equally beautiful 

 day. It is a unique pleasure to sit in the deep darkness of 

 a banana grove, and to watch the play of the ever-changing 

 shadows which the bluish moonlight throws through the 



