LIFE AND MANNERS IN UGANDA. 
283 
special service. How the young heart palpitates, and 
the nerves tingle with delight ! He spurns the ground, 
and his head aspires to the stars ! If a young British 
officer feels so joyful at a constitutional sovereign’s 
choice, what must the elect of a despotic autocrat like 
the Emperor of Uganda feel ? 
No sooner has he left the imperial presence with the 
proud command ringing in his ears than his head seems 
to swell, and almost burst from delirious vertigo. His 
back, hitherto bent through long servile dread, has 
suddenly become rigid and straight as the staff of his 
spear, and an unusual sternness of face has somehow 
replaced the bland smiles which hitherto decked it. For 
is he not “ Kabaka ” while on the Emperor’s errand ? 
Do not his soldiers respond to him when summoned 
with awful alacrity, saying, “ Kabaka ' (Emperor), “ be- 
hold us ” ? 
Woe to the party from whom offence came if young 
Magassa was sent with his warriors to them ! And woe 
to the warrior who committed any breach of discipline 
when under Magassa’s command, or even to him who 
crossed his humour when on the march on special ser- 
vice ! Magassa’s spear was sharp and swift, and his 
hands were at all times quick to gather spoil, and soon 
it was observed that the poor Magassa was getting rich 
in slaves, waxing great in name, and becoming exceed- 
ingly influential at court. 
Promotions awarded his adroitness and quick execu- 
tion of commands, lands of his own and bounties of 
slaves and cattle were bestowed upon him, until Magassa 
became a Mkungu, or chief, of the second order. 
Such a spirit as Magassa possessed, however, could not 
long remain satisfied with this, while many above him 
could not boast of a tithe of his deftness and ability, 
and were blind to observe and forestall the humours of 
the despotic monarch ; and a day came when a Mkungu 
of the first order, named Pokino, offended Mtesa. 
Casting his eyes about for a fit man to succeed him, 
Mtesa’s eyes lighted on the sparkling, bright face of 
Magassa, and his decision was at once made. 
