LIFE IN UGANDA. 105 country were here seated along the walls on wooden stools ; they were dressed in Arab chogas of various colours, and presented a brilliant spectacle. All rose as we entered, and we made our way up to the farther end, where stood Mtesa, dressed in Turkish costume and wearing a handsome sword ; he shook hands with us and motioned us to two seats, and we had time, while the drums were beating, to survey the scene and make mental observations on the king and his court. Mtesa at that time was a very fine-looking man, tall and slender, with a Coptic type of features, delicate hands, and large expressive eyes. Silence having been ordered, our guide was called, and narrated his adventures, his finding us at Ukerewe and the return journey to Uganda ; then our letters of introduction were read and our presents produced. Smith apologised for the small number of the latter, some having been stolen on the road, and Mtesa remarked " Great rivers swallow up small ones, and now that I have seen your faces I do not think of anything else." Soon after our interview terminated, and we returned to our house favourably impressed with all that we had seen.

In the afternoon we had another interview with Mtesa, and explained fully to him the object of our coming to his country ; we also asked him to give us land to build on, permission to hold services in his palace on Sundays, and to teach his people. He gave us land at once, and promised to send men to