CHANCES OF EXPLORATION. 



195 



one hundred fun do of coral, and other porcelain beads. 

 The return was an offering of two ivories and a pair of 

 serviles ; every day, moreover, flesh and grain, fruit and 

 milk were supplied without charge ; whenever the wish 

 was expressed, a string of slave-girls presently appeared 

 bending under loads of the article in question ; and it 

 was intimated to the " king's stranger " that he might 

 lay hands upon whatever he pleased, animate or inani- 

 mate. Snay, however, was too wise to avail himself of 

 this truly African privilege. During the four inter- 

 views which followed, Sun a proved himself a man of 

 intelligence: he inquired about the Wazungu or Eu- 

 ropeans, and professed to be anxious for a closer alliance 

 with the Sultan of Zanzibar. When Snay took leave he 

 received the usual present of provisions for the road, 

 and 200 guards prepared to escort him, an honour 

 which he respectfully declined : Suna offered to send 

 with him several loads of elephants' tusks as presents to 

 H. H. the Sayyid ; but the merchant declined to face 

 with them the difficulties and dangers of Usui. Like 

 all African chiefs, the despot considered these visits as 

 personal honours paid to himself ; his pride therefore 

 peremptorily forbade strangers to pass northwards of his 

 capital, lest the lesser and hostile chiefs might boast a 

 similar brave. According to Snay, an European would 

 be received with distinction, if travelling with supplies 

 to support his dignity. He would depend, however, 

 upon his ingenuity and good fortune upon further pro- 

 gress ; and perhaps the most feasible plan to explore the 

 water-shed north of the Nyanza Lake would be to buy 

 or to build, with the permission of the reigning monarch, 

 boats upon the nearest western shore. Suna himself, 

 had, according to Snay, constructed a flotilla of matumbi 

 or undecked vessels similar in shape to the Mtope or 



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