To Mocke. 
371 
" Ku hossa/' had to be performed, but I objected to 
take any part in the ceremony. My message was con- 
veyed to the chief. After some delay the mganga 
(sorcerer, in this case it was a sorceress) made her 
appearance again. She asked, since the Mzungu ob- 
jected to the first ceremony, if he would submit to take 
the "Uvumba," a potion she had prepared from various 
herbs } I replied, I was God's messenger. I could 
not submit to any such customs, so far as taking any 
part in them was concerned. As a mere stranger I 
could not dictate to them, but if they would listen to 
me they themselves would not deal in such nonsense. 
If they would not hear me in such a matter, they 
were to do as they pleased ; only that I refused to 
take any part in it, or allow myself to be operated 
on by uganga in any way. The witch frowned, and 
abused the Wasuahili for having, as she supposed, 
instigated the stranger to set up his back in so un- 
usual a way, I was appealed to again ; but I stood my 
ground, and threatened to leave the country unless 
I was exempted from all concern with uganga. 
* There was another delay, during which we received 
a message from the ''Mange" (chief), to the following 
effect : " I am told that a great sultan has come to 
see me. What ! and not a single salute fired ! Where 
are your guns ? Give us a volley, and let us know 
that we are to be visited by a king!" It was clear 
that some one had been doing me great honours, 
though they were as unwished-for as they were falla- 
cious. However, without feeling the least flattered, 
or wishing, to favour high anticipations, our men 
received permission to fire a few rounds. . 
After a while I was asked to stand aside, as all 
