56 
In the Heart of Africa 
from the Sultan, and the presence of Resident von Grawert, who 
came to meet us in full uniform, all this had made a tremendous 
impression on the minds of the people. 
“ The great ox arrives with his calves,” flew the message from 
summit to summit. “ He has four arms and six legs,” which was 
meant less as a description of my personal appearance than the 
impression upon the pastoral mind of my power and might. 
Thanks to Captain von Grawert’s good offices, my camp was 
now most carefully and excellently laid out in a broad space 
not far from the Sultan’s huts. For we were awaiting a visit 
from the “ Mami.” 
Before “the mighty one” appeared, however, we were wit¬ 
nesses of a highly diverting scene. Great crowds of Wahutu 
had gathered round the camp. Their curiosity being aroused, 
they had flocked around and stared hard at the new arrivals. 
It was evident, however, that Msinga considered these masses 
of people would spoil the effect of his approach, for suddenly 
two forms clothed in red togas appeared upon the scene, staring 
fiercely at the crowd, and swinging long staffs round their heads 
with very unmistakable intent, and they whirled them recklessly,' 
with their full strength, into the midst of the people. But the 
latter were apparently familiar with this manoeuvre, for at the 
same moment that the staff-bearers began to swing their weapons 
over their heads the whole mass was off in wild flight, and only a 
few laggards were struck. The square was empty in a trice. 
A few of the most curious who ventured to return had stones 
flung at them to drive them away. 
A moment later the rolling of drums was heard from the 
palace, and then we were spectators of a unique drama such 
as could only be enacted far from the beaten path of the 
ordinary traveller. 
The splendid figures of the Ruanda princes, with their sons, 
marching in pairs, headed the procession. Msinga’s palanquin, 
which then left the gate of the residence, followed slowly. 
Everyone wore festive apparel, similar to that in which Nanturu 
and Bussissi had appeared. Their bodies were naked, but their 
hips were wound round by a narrow loin-cloth of tanned cow- 
