54 
In the Heart of Africa 
The whole style and manner of their address and speech 
was very striking. One received the impression of being in the 
presence of an entirely different class of men who had nothing 
further in common with the “ niggers ” than their dark com¬ 
plexion. The demeanour of our carriers, who appeared equally 
impressed, confirmed our view. Having received a goodly 
number of presents in exchange, the two emissaries placed them¬ 
selves as leaders at the head of our column. 
By the afternoon we reached the Niawarongo, a tributary 
of the Kagera, and finished our march for the day, for the cross¬ 
ing of the small cattle caravans, which had now increased to 
the size of several hundred animals, and the transport of the 
numerous loads lasted until the darkness fell. As the water 
scarcely rose above a metre, the work was simplified by forming 
a chain of men across the river. In this way all the loads and 
animals were safely passed from hand to hand, and so to the 
opposite bank. We carried commissariat stores in abundance, 
and it was with a certain degree of anxiety that we observed 
day by day the increase in the number of live stock. The 
approach of a fresh commissariat caravan shortly after our 
arrival with another reinforcement of about thirty goats, which 
had to be assimilated with the main body, increased our anxiety. 
But it would be difficult to describe our irritation when we saw 
yet a third caravan coming down the hill-slope with another string 
of thirty goats, which, of course, made a further inroad on our 
stock of barter goods. All protests against our acceptance of 
the gifts were quickly met with '' Aim i ya Msinga'' (“By order 
of Msinga ”). 
The nearer we approached the Sultan’s residence the larger 
grew the number of Watussi marching at the head of the expe¬ 
dition. We soon became aware that the Sultan was preparing 
a grand reception. In all the villages we passed the Watuales 
were absent, and to our inquiries as to their whereabouts we 
were answered by “Niansa.” From all sides of the country com¬ 
missariat caravans and herds of small cattle, led by Watussi, 
were heading in the same direction. It seemed as though the 
