A THICK OF MTESA'S. 11

be made to understand that our cures are matters

of time, and not of magic. Nevertheless, when I

left Uganda, Mtesa was nearly well. He had been

suffering from a complication of complaints, which

had prevented his walking for fifteen months. I

had the good fortune to leave him cured of all

except one, which required a small operation. Both

the king and his wives wished me to perform this,

but the chiefs absolutely refused their consent

;

so I thought it better not to run any risk. How-

ever, he was able to walk about again, although he

was very weak after so long and severe an illness. On one occasion Mtesa played me a very pretty

trick. I had given him two bottles, one of which

contained a lotion, and had particularly told him

that it was for outward application only. Soon

after I left with one of my companions, but we had

only gone a little way when we were overtaken by

a page, who had run after us with a jar of banana

wine, with the king's salaam, asking me to taste

it, and say if he might have a little every day.

This I did, but not being quite sure as to whether

it was the strong kind, I gave some to my friend

and asked his opinion ; he said that it was not,

and drank up the remainder. I gave the required

permission to the page, and we pursued our way ; but in a little time my friend inquired, " Do you

feel all right ? " " Not quite," said I ; in fact, I felt

rather sick. " I hope that wine wasn't drugged,"