From Entebbe to Fort Portal. 
At the present time many villages around Entebbe and 
Kampala are entirely Christian. The blacks may be seen any 
day squatting on the ground around the catechist. Throughout 
the country numbers of natives may be met going or coming 
from their labour in the fields, praying or reciting the rosary 
on their way. They are all clad in the long white tunic with 
wide sleeves, which has almost universally replaced the older 
garment made out of strips of the bark of a special variety of 
fig-tree, beaten until they become soft and flexible, and stitched 
together with great art. On Sunday, in the spacious churches 
of Mengo, which afford room for several thousands of persons, 
men, women and childen may be seen worshipping with 
exemplary fervour and decorum. 
On the other hand, it cannot be denied that Islamism 
exercised an important and beneficial influence in rescuing the 
country from its barbarous condition. In many districts the 
Mohammedans are still in the majority. 
The Italian expedition remained at Entebbe from the 7 th to 
the 15th May to prepare in detail the organization of the 
caravan. During this time Commander Cagni unfortunately 
fell a victim to the unhealthy climate, taking the malarial 
fever on the 8th of May. This persisted, in spite of quinine 
injections, and was complicated by intestinal inflammation. It 
soon became necessary to remove him to the hospital, which 
was situated in a healthier position, and afforded better 
accommodation. 
Owing to this calamity, the Duke lost invaluable assistance 
at the very moment when the work began to be difficult and 
complicated. 
The luggage of the expedition had been carried by porters 
to the courtyard of the Equatorial Hotel, followed by a crowd 
65 
F 
