138 UGANDA AND THE EGYPTIAN SOUDAN.

coming to meet us, decked out in their war costume. A party of natives from this district had attached themselves to my caravan, and I thought this demonstration must be to welcome them home ; but, as we advanced, I saw armed men rushing towards us from every direction, and noticed some cattle being driven off in hot haste towards the villages : this and the total absence of women (always a bad sign) showed me that a fight was imminent. Still I marched on steadily, telling the Wang'uana to keep together and be quiet. I tried to get into conversation with one or two niamparas, but they only answered my " Wanga ruka?" (How are you?) and " Shiza" (Good morning) with surly grunts. Matters grew worse, the crowd around us thickened every moment, and at last a great burly fellow knocked the kilangozi down and snatched the flag from him ; one of the Wang'uana flew upon him and recovered the flag. I thought a fight must ensue then, for, though the Kagei men behaved admirably, and were as cool as possible, the Wang'uana were beside themselves with fear, and it was all I could do to restrain them, for I was determined, if there must be a battle, /would not begin it. I had, however, no doubt that we should have overpowered them, as, though far outnumbered by the crowd, we were much better armed, and I had with me several Waganda who were on their way from Zanzibar with 80 Ibs. of gunpowder for Mtesa. Just at this moment an old niampara