MTESA'S PALACE.

had given orders for them to dress in red tunics and white trousers; sorae, mistaking the order, had made white tunics and red trousers. However, variety has its charm.

The crowd, which had accompanied us as far as the palace gates, remained outside. We were very much struck with the great order and quiet which was preserved within the precincts of the palace.

The two chiefs and the guide who had escorted us from Mruli met us outside the throne-room, and conducted us into a side room on the left, where Mtesa was reclining, as he was not suJfficiently well to sit on his throne.

At the entrance of the large hall sat the king's executioners, a body of stalwart men, each wearing a coil of rope—the sign of their office—as a turban, with a fringe of cord hanging before their faces as a mask, a decoration which did not enhance their personal appearance. The chiefs of second rank were sitting on wooden stools, ranged along either side of the hall, while at each pillar stood one of the king's body-guard, presenting arms as we passed. After going through the hall we entered, amid profound silence, the small room where Mtesa lay, surrounded by the greatest chiefs of his realm, who were seated, Arab fashion, on mats. Stools had been placed for us near the king's couch, and, after bowing to his majesty, we took our seats. For five or six minutes all pre-B 2