UGANDA AND WEST SIDE OF VICTORIA NYANZA. 219 
was far more profound and stately than mine. I was 
perplexed, confused, embarrassed, and I believe I blushed 
inwardly at this regal reception, though I hope I did not 
betray my embarrassment. 
A dozen well-dressed people now came forward, and 
grasping my hand declared in the Swahili language that 
I was welcome to Uganda. The Katekiro motioned with 
his head, and amid a perfect concourse of beaten drums, 
which drowned all conversation, we walked side by side, 
and followed by curious thousands, to a courtyard, and 
a circle of grass-thatched huts surrounding a larger 
house, which I was told were my quarters. 
The Katekiro and several of the chiefs accompanied 
me to my new hut, and a very sociable conversation 
took place. There was present a native of Zanzibar, 
named Tori, whom I shortly discovered to be chief 
drummer, engineer, and general jack-of-all-trades for the 
Kabaka. From this clever, ingenious man I obtained the 
information that the Katekiro was the prime minister, 
or the Kabaka s deputy, and that the titles of the other 
chiefs were Chambarango, Kangau, Mkwenda, Seke- 
bobo, Kitunzi, Sabaganzi, Kauta, Saruti. There were 
several more present, but I must defer mention of them 
to other chapters. 
Waganda, as I found subsequently, are not in the 
habit of remaining incurious before a stranger. Hosts 
of questions were fired off at me about my health, my 
journey, and its aim, Zanzibar, Europe and its people, 
the seas and the heavens, sun, moon, and stars, angels 
and devils, doctors, priests, and craftsmen in general ; 
in fact, as the representative of nations who “ know 
everything,” I was subjected to a most searching exam- 
ination, and in one hour and ten minutes it was declared 
unanimously that I had “ passed.” Forthwith after the 
acclamation, the stately bearing became merged into a 
more friendly one, and long, thin, nervous black hands 
were pushed into mine enthusiastically, from which I 
gathered that they applauded me as though I had won 
the honours of a senior wrangler. Some proceeded 
direct to the Kabaka and informed him that the white 
