68 MRULI TO THE CAPITAL OF UNYORO.

me out at once, and informed me that Mtésa had sent people to Mruli to fetch me from that place. Letters which I received on the following day from Mrili confirmed the arrival of one hundred and fifty Waganda, but as I was not there they returned to Uganda. At the same time I received English and Arabic letters from Mtésa inviting me to come, but “to bring no soldiers with me.” I was told, too, that some of my things, which I intended to present to Kabréga, had been forwarded, but they had been taken from the porters at Khor Kyai by Kabréga’s people. I, of course, claimed them back at once, upon which Kabréga sent me word that I need not trouble about them, for he himself was the aggrieved party, and would immediately take steps for their recovery.

Two days after, the messengers whom Kabréga had sent to find them, returned and laid the unopened bundle at my feet. According to their account, all the inhabitants of the village had fled and deposited the goods in the house of a neighbouring chief, who had delivered them up to them. I sent at once to Kabréga to thank him, and at the same time to request an audience, when I intended to ask for permission to depart. At this audience, which took place on the 15th, my official business was brought to an end to our mutual satisfaction, and I cannot refrain from again recording the friendly treatment extended to me by Kabréga, which was never disturbed by a single unfriendly word, even up to the last moment, so that I shall always remember with pleasure the daysI spent here. His embassy to Gordon Pasha, composed of Kasabe, Baker’s former guide, who had already been in Gondokoro, and the interpreter, Msige, were either to accompany or to follow me. Asa parting cift, I presented Kabréga with a richly gilded sabre, which very much delighted him. I could therefore anticipate being able to start upon my return journey in a week, if no unforeseen delays occurred. Kabréga gave me his “dead” watch for me to get repaired in Khartum. He also requested me to send him an Arab clerk.

To judge by the sounds of the Uganda drums, the Waganda were really received at court on the 19th of October, after waiting nine days. ‘This seemed to be the day for paying tribute ; at least the quantity of packets and bales lying before