252 
AFRICA AND ITS EXPLORATION. 
“ What clo you mean by drawing your canoes on our 
beach % ” I was told he asked. 
“ Tell him we drew them up lest the surf should 
batter them to pieces during the night. The winds are 
rough sometimes, and waves rise high. Our canoes are 
our homes, and we are far from our friends who are 
waiting for us. Were our canoes injured 01 broken, how 
should we return to our friends ? ” 
He next demanded, “ Know you this is our country ? ” 
“ Yes, but are we doing wrong ? Is the beach so soft 
mtesa’s flotilla crossing lake victoria. 
that it can be hurt by our canoes ? Have we cut down 
your bananas, or entered into your houses ? Have we 
molested any of your people ? Do you not see our fires 
by which we slept exposed to the cold night ? ” 
“Well, you must leave this place at once. We do 
not want you here. Go ! ” 
“ That is easily done,” I answered ; “ and had you 
told us last night that our presence was not welcome to 
you, we should have camped on yonder island.” 
“ What did you come here for ? ” 
“ We came to rest for the night, and to buy food, and 
