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Whilst all this vexations business had been going on in court evidently dictated by extreme jealousy because I showed, as they all thought, a preference for the queen Maula, more than tipsy, brought a Mkungu of some standing at court before me, contrary to all law for as yet no Mganda, save the king's pages, had ever dared enter even the precincts of my camp.
On returning home I found Nasib and Maula waiting for me, with all the articles that had been returned to the queen very neatly tied together.
Long arguments ensued, and I at length turned the tables by asking who was the greatest myself or my children; when he said, "As I see you are the greatest, I will do as you wish; and after fetching the cows from Kisuere, we will march to-morrow at sunrise." The sun rose, but N'yamgundu did not appear. I was greatly annoyed lest Maula should come and try to drive him away.
I shot a montana antelope, and sent its head and skin back to Grant, accompanied with my daily report to Rumanika. Maula having joined me, we marched down to near the end of the fork overlooking the plain of Kitangule the Waganada drums beating, and whistles playing all the way we went along.
It was a small, newly-built hut, just large enough for my bed, with a corner for one servant; so I turned all my men away, save one ate my dinner, and hoped to have a quiet cool night of it, when suddenly Maula flounced in with all his boys, lighting a fire, and they spread their mbugus for the night.
After the first formalities were over, the complaint about the officers at Sangua was preferred for decision, on which Pokino at once gave it against the villagers, as they had no right, by the laws of the land, to lay hands on a king's guest. Just then Maula arrived, and began to abuse N'yamgundu.
"Oh yes, he is a most wonderful sportsman shoots elephants and buffaloes, and birds on the wing. He would like to go out on a shooting excursion and teach you the way." Then turning the subject, in the highest good-humour the king made centurions of N'yamgundu and Maula, my two Wakungu, for their good service, he said, in bringing him such a valuable guest.
In the morning, whilst it rained, some pages drove in twenty cows and ten goats, with a polite metaphorical message from their king, to the effect that I had pleased him much, and he hoped I would accept these few "chickens" until he could send more, when both Maula and N'yamgundu, charmed with their success in having brought a welcome guest to Uganda, never ceased showering eulogiums on me for my fortune in having gained the countenance of their king.
Maula was now appointed to go with Rozaro to Karague for the powder and other things promised yesterday, whilst Viarungi and all his party, though exceedingly anxious to get away, had orders to remain here prisoners as a surety for the things arriving.
I will stay and send a straight report to the Dipty Sahib, and we will catch certain that ye know of, villagers, so that all may be ready against the Dipty Sahib's arrival. Thus Maula Baksh rode and I ran hanging on the stirrup, and together we came in an evil plight before The Tiger of Gokral-Seetarun in the Rohestri tehsil.
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