222 
M'TESSA, THE KING OF UGANDA. 
opened and shut by men, who watched every move- 
ment of the king, for fear they should be discovered 
off the alert, and punished according to his caprice. 
A short time afterwards, a third scene was prepared 
for us. On entering the courtyard, M'tessa leant in 
a studied, affected attitude against the portico ; about 
two hundred women sat on the ground on one side, 
and we were told to bring our chairs to within twenty 
yards of him, facing the women. No men except our 
Seedee interpreters were present. The remarks of the 
great potentate, who regarded us with a kindly sur- 
prised air, were confined to his favourite women, and 
seemed to be concerning our appearance. After a 
time, the thought seemed to strike him that we all 
ought to remove to some more shaded place. This 
was the only sensible thing he had done. Making us 
draw our stools close to the iron chair on which he 
sat, the conversation turned upon sport, our expedi- 
tion, &c. A woman ran to fetch the gun he had that 
day been presented with ; two others held spears 
beautifully polished. He signalled that I was to 
show my head uncovered to the ladies ; a titter fol- 
lowed, and all of us laughed heartily. Another signal, 
and I was told to place my hat on ; this made us all 
feel less restraint ; and the women were not afraid to 
return our smiles at the ridiculous formality of the 
scene. As the sun was approaching the horizon, this 
" drawing-room " was ended by M'tessa walking away, 
leaving us to reflect on the strange events of the day. 
He was a tall, well-built young fellow, sprightly in 
manner, very vain, his woolly hair dressed with the 
greatest care ; small head, remarkably prominent 
clever -looking clear eyes, good teeth, and long 
