128 
THE SULTAN OF USUI. 
The most powerful chief on our route through 
Uzinza was Suwarora of Usui — a Wahuma by caste, 
but a superstitious creature, addicted to drink, and 
not caring to see us, but exacting through his subor- 
dinates the most enormous tax we had yet paid. His 
chief officer or " sirhidge " was a Watusi ; and when 
he called upon us dressed in the most ridiculous 
costume — a woman's crimson cotton gown, a red- 
check turban, and " saharee " thrown round his shoul- 
ders — he was treated with every respect, and got a 
chair. We had time to make his acquaintance. He 
was middle-aged, with a dissipated, reckless look, full 
of animated conversation, very black, with flat nose 
and prominent teeth. His legs were masses of iron 
wire, fitting as tight as a stocking. He had many 
favours to ask ; he would like so much to have a pair 
of our shoes, &c. He had sent two men, bearing the 
royal rod of his " M'kama " or sultan, to convey us 
with safety into the country. He hoped they had 
done their duty, for no Arab had ever such an honour 
paid him. There were ridiculous stories going about 
regarding us — as that we were possessed of super- 
natural powers, that we killed all the inhabitants of 
the country we passed through, and that we took 
possession of all countries ; but, on his consulting the 
M'ganga, these reports were proved to be false, and we 
were admitted into the country. He paid us a second 
visit, dressed in a much less gaudy suit ; and while 
he sat, eating coffee from a little basket he carried, we 
suggested that the tax had better be settled soon ; but 
he treated the matter with great indifference, saying, 
" Oh, don't press it ; let it take its time ! My brother 
will arrange it the day after to-morrow, because I have 
