y despatches, as sixty men were ready to start for Karague.

28th.--I sent one of my men with despatches to Kamrasi, who detained
him half the day, and then ordered him to call to-morrow. This being the
fifteenth or twentieth time Kamrasi had disappointed me, after
promising an interview, that we might have a proper understanding
about everything, and when no begging on his party was to interrupt our
conversation, I sent him a threatening message, to see what effect that
would have. The purport of it was, that I was afraid to send men to
Karague, now I had seen his disposition to make prisoners of all who
visit him. Here had I been kept six weeks waiting for Bombay's return
from Gani, where I only permitted him to go because I was told the
journey to and fro would only occupy from eight to ten days at most.
Then Rumanika's men, who came here with Baraka, though daily crying to
get away, were still imprisoned here, without any hope before them. If
I sent Msalima, he would be kept ten years on the road. If I went to the
lake Luta Nzige, God only knows when he would let me come back; and now,
for once and for all, I wished to sacrifice my property, and leave the
countries of black kings; for what Kamrasi had done, Mtesa had done
likewise, detaining the two men I detached on a friendly mission, which
made me fear to send any more and inquire after my guns, lest he should
seize them likewise. I would stay no longer among such people.

Kamrasi, in answer, begged I would not be afraid; there was no occasion
for alarm; Bombay would be here shortly. I had promised to wait
patiently for his return, and as soon as he did return, I would be sent
off without one day's delay, for I was not his slave, that he should use
violence upon me. Rumanika's men, too, would be allowed to go, only that
the road was unsafe, and he feared Rumanika would abuse him if any harm
befell them.

29th.--To-day I met Kamrasi at his new reception-palace on this side the
Kafu--taking a Bible to explain all I fancied I knew about the origin
and present condition of the Wahuma branch of the Ethiopians, beginning
with Adam, to show how it was the king had heard by tradition that at
one time the people of his race were half white and half black. Then,
proceeding with the Flood, I pointed out that the Europeans remained
white, retaining Japhet's blood; whilst the Arabs are tawny, after Shem;
and the African's black, after Ham. And, finally, to show the greatness