SEND IN SEARCH OF SPEKE. 263 
now our prisoner, would never be given up. What 
a mode of coercion ! But ever since Budja has had 
charge of affairs he has shown very great tact, doing 
his duty most conscientiously. His defences, in com- 
parison with the slovenly ones put up here by the 
Seedees, really seem erected with the eye of a general. 
He is very proud of his position, will not associate 
with his own or my men, neither will he eat meat 
that has been killed by Mohammedans. All his cattle, 
I may remark, are killed by a blow on the back of 
the head. 
12th. — Halt. Sent eight Seedees and eight Wag- 
anda to inform Speke of my compulsory retreat. 
They did not know where he was, but had orders not 
to return without having seen him. They all re- 
turned at sunset, giving us a surprise. An officer 
had told them their errand was useless, for Speke had 
gone to Kidi, far, far away. Budja was infuriated 
with his men for being such poltroons as to return ; 
besides, what would his king say if Speke had pro- 
ceeded to Kidi, where he had no permission to go ? 
He (Budja) had been imprisoned three times by 
M'tessa, and thought if a fourth offence were com- 
mitted he certainly would not escape. 
After sunset, cries came from Budja's camp, about 
200 yards distant. I found that the cries were those 
of one of his good-looking wives, beaten on mere 
suspicion for having been outside the house after 
the sun had set. Such severity to guard the honour 
of the wives is not unlikely to have a quite opposite 
effect ; and, so far as my observation went, the hus- 
bands had no great cause to complain. Adultery is 
severely punished • mutilation is not uncommon ; and 
