Through Ruanda to Lake Kiwu 57 
hide in two transverse folds, from which a number of strings of 
otterskin or cowhide fell down to the ankles, which in their turn 
were adorned with various metal rings. On their heads were 
hair-combs reaching from ear to ear, in which a thin pearl chain 
lay gleaming. Long yellow strings of banana hemp hung down 
in a copious mass from their necks to their breasts, on which 
pearl ornaments of varying sizes, called mitakoj were fastened. 
Their wrists were encircled with bracelets of copper wire and 
glass beads of various colour. Thus the train approached my 
tent with measured steps and quiet, dignified demeanour. Our 
guard of honour for the Sultan—a Schausch ^ and two men— 
presented arms. The Sultans litter, a long simple basket, 
the bamboo rods of which rested on the shoulders of Batwa 
people, was carefully lowered, and with the German words, 
''Guten morgen, Euer HoheitG Msinga stretched out his hand 
to me. 
The Sultan’s figure, a little rounded in contour in consequence 
of his easy manner of life, exceeds two metres in height. One 
searches vainly at first for an expression of his vaunted intelli¬ 
gence, and an eye defect, coupled with strongly protruding upper 
teeth, emphasises the unfavourable impression. Yet the questions 
which he addressed to me, and to those standing round, whilst 
reclining near me in a long chair, touched on the most various 
spheres of interest and bore witness to his keen, logical power 
of thought. 
After a lengthy conversation, which was carried on in the 
Suaheli tongue and which touched on many topics, Msinga 
begged to be allowed to deliver his presents to me. This was a 
moment of great political importance and keen suspense to 
Msinga and his friends, as well as to his enemies, as the refusal 
of any portion of such presents would be a sign on my part that 
I was desirous of assisting the pretender to the crown, a relative 
of Msinga’s, and that I wished to overthrow the reierninp" 
“ Mami.” 
A tremendous gathering of people had therefore assembled 
* Schausch, non-commissioned officer. 
I 
