THE WANYORO AGAIN. 37

three hours from Mruli. At this time of the year,

the whole distance from this river, as far as Mruli,

is one vast swamp. Fortunate for us it was that

such is the case, for on the other side of the river

was a large camp containing some 800 huts, occu-

pied by Kabrega's men. As soon as they saw us

they began to beat the war-drum, and exhibited un-

mistakable signs of an intense desire to come to

closer quarters with us. In this wish, however, we

were not at one with them ; conjecturing that a

nearer acquaintance with them would not be likely

to add to our pleasures, but might be a cause of

some discomfort. Wherefore we quickened our pace

as much as possible, though of course the cattle

were " impedimenta," and the ground was difficult.

Kabrega's men had only very few canoes, so they

could not get at us, and finding it a case of sour

grapes, they began to pour on us a shower of abuse

from the other side. But hard words break no

bones, and we pursued our way philosophically in-

different to the strong language indulged in by the

disappointed warriors, whom we soon left far behind.

As we were approaching Mruli I sent on a boy

runner to announce to the Mudir that I was near at

hand ; but he lost his percussion-caps on the road, and

so could not give the salute ; and, being afraid to go

up to the fort without this signal, he waited for us. My men had tied my Union Jack to the top of a

tall spear, but it was not seen at Mruli until we