MEETING OF STANLEY AND DE BELLEFONDS. 733 



him. It was a corridor twelve metres in length, and four metres broad, the 

 floor of which sloped from the entrance, the roof being supported by a series 

 of columns of palm-wood in a central row dividing it into three aisles. The 

 central part was occupied by the king's throne. The two side aisles were 

 filled by the great dignitaries and the chief officers. Against each column 

 leaned one of the king's guards, wearing a great red cloak and white turban 

 adorned with monkey skin, white breeches, and black blouse with red bands, 

 and all alike carrying muskets. Mtesa took his place upon the throne, which 

 was made of wood, in the form of an office sofa. His feet rested upon a stool, 

 which again stood upon a leopard's skin, underneath which was spread a 

 Smyrna carpet. In front of the king an elephant's tusk, brilliantly polished, 

 served as a royal sign, while at his feet were deposited two boxes containing 

 fetiches. On each side of the throne was placed a lance, one made of copper 

 and one of iron. These are the attributes of Uganda; the dog, of which 

 Speke makes mention, appears to have been suppressed. The Grand Vizier 

 and two scribes squatted at the feet of the king. 



" Mtesa possesses much dignity, and was not without a real personal dis- 

 tinction. His costume was elegant. He wore a white caftan fringed with 

 red ; lie had stockings, slippers, a vest of black cloth embroidered with gold, 

 and a tarboosh with a silver plate on its top. He carried a sabre with an 

 ivory handle encrusted with silver — a Zanzibar-made weapon — and a wand. 

 I proceeded to exhibit my presents, which Mtesa pretended scarcely to glance 

 at, his dignity not permitting him to appear inquisitive. I addressed myself 

 then to the strange European who was sitting in front of me at the left of the 

 king: — 'Have I the honour to speak to Mr. Cameron?' 'No, sir; I am 

 Stanley.' ' Permit me to introduce myself as M. Linant de Bellefonds, a 

 member of Colonel Gordon's Expedition.' We saluted each other with a low 

 bow, as if we had met in a salon and not in the heart of Africa. This meet- 

 ing with Mr. Stanley profoundly surprised me. He was far from my thoughts. 

 Indeed, I was completely unacquainted with the plan of his journey. 



" I took farewell of the king, who had been amusing himself with putting 

 my soldiers through their exercise and hearing my bugles blow. I shook 

 hands warmly with Mr. Stanley, and begged him to do me the honour of 

 sharing my dinner. A few moments after reaching my house, Mr. Stanley 

 arrived there. After having mutually expressed the pleasure caused us by 

 this rencontre, Mr. Stanley informed me that Cameron had written from Ujiji 

 that he had quitted that place for the Congo. Mr. Cameron, he said, had 

 been very much troubled by the question of supplies, having exceeded the 

 credit allowed him by the Royal Geographical Society. At Ujiji he must 

 have left behind all his companions, and have been quite alone. Mr. Stanley 

 spoke in the highest possible terms of Lieutenant Cameron, and earnestly 

 hoped to see him succeed in his undertaking. 



