A BIG KING. 19

phants, anxious to gain his favour by constantly-

exalting his power and importance. The various

foreigners, too, who from time to time have visited

him, have had a share in increasing his self-com-

placency ; as they have flattered his vanity by telling

him what a great man he is, and what a grand court

he has. African travellers would do well to remember

that it is possible that others may follow them to

those places whither they have penetrated, and there-

fore should be careful what they say and do. The

Africans have memories of remarkable tenacity, and

it would surprise many to hear the accurate accounts

they give of the sayings and doings of the Europeans

they have heard of or seen.

In comparison with most African chiefs Mtesa is

a " Big King." In Uganda, and more especially in

Eubaga, the people have advanced much farther on

the road to civilisation than their neighbours ; and

the victories of Mtesa's father, and his own in the

earlier part of his reign, have made his name feared

by all the surrounding tribes. The superior organ-

isation of his army, and the courage and endurance

of his soldiers have made him the greatest military

chief of that region. He is his own secretary for

war, and I was much struck by his methodical

arrangements, and his intimate knowledge of the number of his warriors and of their movements when he was not with them on an expedition. The

Arabs who are in Eubaga must share some of the

c 2