NG'URU TO KAGEI AND UKE11EWE. 97 was rather deep in the water. At length, about half-past two, we reached Bukindo, and pitched our tent on a sandy strip of ground on the borders of the jungle, and near the place where the dhow was being built. The next few days were occupied in making a camp, while Lieutenant Smith returned to Kagei for another cargo of stores. At last, on June 22nd, news came from Uganda. I had been away in the forest all day with the carpenters, cutting timber for the dhow, and as I was returning in the evening O'Neill met me with the good news that canoes had arrived from Uganda, bringing letters of invitation from Mtesa. So, after reading the letters and talking over the matter, it was finally settled that Smith and I should go on in a few days to Uganda and see how the land lay, and whether Mtesa was really anxious for us to settle in his country ; and if this were so, that I should remain in Uganda, and that Smith should return to Ukerewe to O'Neill, who, meantime, was to stay on the island and complete the dhow. Next day some more canoes arrived from Uganda, bringing another letter from Mtesa, begging us to come at once ; so it was arranged that Smith and I should leave on the 25th, and all hands were set to work preparing the Daisy for the voyage, and collecting provisions, for we expected to be several days at sea. Songoro, who had been to Uganda several times, prophesied that we should be a fortnight on the way.

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