72 



FROM THE COAST TO KILIMANJARO 



previous visitors. Sembodja was dressed in Arab style, and 

 resembled an Arab the more as his complexion, like that of all 

 the Wambugu, was light brown. He talked principally about 

 the Germans, who, he said, were anxious to settle in his country ; 

 and, as far as he was concerned, they were welcome to do so, 

 and probably would if they could get the consent of His High- 

 ness the Sultan of Zanzibar ; at which he pointed to the red 

 flag, floating over his house. Then he congratulated me on the 

 victory at Kwa Mgumi, and offered to punish the natives further 

 if I were not satisfied with the vengeance already taken on them. 

 And so the audience went on until I rose to take my leave. 



4 The next afternoon Sembodja sent a message to say I 

 might visit him again. As I had not yet made him a present, 

 I collected the things I meant for him, and made my way 

 again to the council-hall, where he was awaiting me. The 

 bales were then opened in his presence, the valuable contents 

 of which were four djora merikani, two djora kaniki, several 

 lessos, two coarse brown caftans, two cases of gin, 15 lb. of 

 fine gunpowder, a pocket watch, a bottle of Eno's Fruit Salt, a 

 few picture-books, and an empty metal flask. Sembodja, who 

 watched everything eagerly as the contents of bale after bale 

 were laid before him, seemed anything but satisfied, and after 

 fidgeting about for some time on his kitanda, he suddenly 

 jumped up, called to Qualla to accompany him, and left the 

 hut. Outside he said to Qualla, in a most unabashed manner : 

 " Tell your master that I am a great Sultan, and I want money, 

 lots of money, hunting weapons, and medicine, and not all 

 that rubbish." Qualla, who held all negroes, whether high or 

 low, in much the same contempt, did not hesitate to answer 

 the Usambara chief briefly and drily, to the effect that his 

 master was a very much greater Sultan than he, and that he 

 had already received a great deal more than enough. Then 

 Sembodja returned, with some little loss of assurance, squatted 



