292 
AFRICA AND ITS EXPLORATION. 
despisfe any of them. Surely if such a despotic monarch 
can condescend to be so affable and kind to females, 
there must be some good in him. 
But the Emperor on this morning has caught a cold, 
and the watchful chiefs have been observing the little 
uneasiness, and forthwith half-a-dozen rush forward 
prone on their knees, and offer their liead-cloths, into 
which the imperial nose may relieve itself. 
The Emperor playfully draws back in his chair, and 
says, “ Oh, I don’t want all these.” 
“ Well, take mine,” says one. 
“ No, take mine, Kabaka ; mine is white, and of fine 
soft cloth ; ” and Mtesa, prevailed upon by the white- 
ness and softness of the texture, takes it, and relieves 
his afflicted nose, and then hands the cloth back to its 
owner, who rubs it together hard, as though he wished 
to punish well the cause of the affliction. 
Suddenly from some place in the hall is heard a 
hawking sound, as from some one likewise afflicted with 
a cold in the throat, and the eyes of the Emperor are 
quickly fixed on the person ; but the chiefs cry out 
indignantly, “ Out, out with you, quick ; ” and, peremp- 
torily and sternly, half-a-dozen “ lords of the cord ” 
seize upon the unfortunate -and eject him in no gentle 
manner. 
After this interruption the tones of the native harp 
are heard, and the Emperor calls to the minstrel and 
bids him play on his instrument, which the accomplished 
musician is nothing loth to do. But while we listen to 
the monotonous music, all are startled at the loud report 
of a guii ! 
A dozen ejaculations are uttered, and as many chiefs 
rush out to enquire the cause ; but they have been fore- 
stalled by the adroit and eager lords of the cord, who 
have thrown their nooses round the man’s neck and, 
half strangling him, drag him into the Presence, whose 
imperial nerves have been somewhat disturbed by the 
sudden discharge of gunpowder. The lords of the cord, 
kneeling, say that the man let his gun fall while on 
guard, and their eyes seem to ask, “ What shall we do 
