as
a supplement to the message, of the usual kind, that he would like a
present of a pencil. The pencil was sent in the first place, because we
did not like talking about trifles when we visited great kings.

The interview followed. It was opened on our side by our saying we had
enjoyed his hospitality a great number of days, and wished to go to our
homes; should he have any message to send to the great Queen of England,
we should be happy to convey it. A long yarn then emanated from the
throne. He defended his over-cautiousness when admitting us into Unyoro.
It was caused at first by wicked men who did not wish us to visit him;
he subsequently saw through their representations, and now was very
pleased with us as he found us. Of course he could not tie us down to
stopping here against our wish, but, for safety's sake, he would like
us to stop a little longer, until he could send messengers ahead,
requesting the wild men in Kidi not to molest us. That state trick
failing to frighten and stop us, he tried another, by saying, when we
departed, he hoped we would leave two men with guns behind, to occupy
our present camp, and so delude the people into the belief that merely a
party of their followers, and not the white men themselves, had left his
house, for the purpose of spreading terror in the minds of the people we
might meet, who, not knowing the number of men behind, would naturally
conclude there was a large reserve force ready to release us in case of
necessity.

This foxy speech was too transparent to require one moment's reflection.
In a country where men were property, the fate of one or two left behind
was obvious; and had we doubted that his object was to get possession of
them, his next words would have sufficiently revealed it. He said,
"As you gave men to Mtesa, why would you refuse them to me?" but was
checkmated on being told, "Should any of those men who deserted us in
this country ever reach their homes, they will all be hung for breaking
their allegiance or oath." "Well," says the king, "I have acceded to
everything you have to say; and the day after to-morrow, when I shall
have had time to collect men to go with you, and selected the two
princes you have promised to educate, we will meet again and say
good-bye; but you must give me a gun and some more medicine, as well as
the powder and ball you promised after reaching the vessels." This was
all acquiesced in, and we wished to take his portrait, but h