62 MRULI TO THE CAPITAL OF UNYOEO. 



that be sometimes spat on the ground before him, one of his 

 chiefs immediately wiping np the saliva with his hand from 

 the grass mat. Might not a like official find employment at 

 European courts ? Kabrega is cheerful, laughs readily and 

 much, talks a great deal, and does not appear to care to be 

 bound by ceremony — the exact opposite to Mtesa, the conceited 

 ruler of Uganda. 



The next day I was again called to the king, whom I found 

 surrounded by ten or twelve persons. Any one who has seen 

 the strict etiquette in Uganda could not help being greatly 

 surprised at the nonchalance and informality of the Wanyoro, 

 who lie about the floor chewing coffee in the king's presence 

 in a perfectly unceremonious manner. We had a very long 

 interview, concerning which I would specially note the willing- 

 ness with which His Majesty acceded to my requests, and also 

 his account of what took place here during Baker's residence. 

 Kabrega very readily consented to my proposition that some 

 of his people should go with me, or rather be sent, to Khar- 

 tum, to pay a visit to the Governor-General, Gordon Pasha. 

 My watch caused much astonishment, and I was requested 

 to send him a loud-ticking watch after my return home. I 

 certainly cannot charge Kabrega with begging ; on the contrary, 

 he sent me daily, in the most hospitable manner, stores of corn, 

 meal, mwenge, &c, which, although they were only intended to 

 supply the wants of one day, could easily have been made to 

 last us for a fortnight. 



During my repeated visits Kabrega gave me the impression 

 of being a thoroughly hospitable and intelligent man. Quite 

 apart from the rich gifts of food, mwe'ngre, bark cloths, &c. — a 

 return for which it was impossible for me to make — he proved 

 this in a very noteworthy manner in connexion with an in- 

 cident which might have brought me into a very awkward 

 position. Notwithstanding my strict orders that no hostile 

 action should be taken against Kabrega by the Egyptians 

 during my visit to Unyoro, the soldiers in our nearest station, 

 led by stupid, jealous officers, made a raid upon the country, 

 and killed several of Kabrega's people. Katagrua was sent 

 by the king to give me this information, and to assure me 

 at the same time that, although this occurrence was highly 



