but as they were both of the common negro breed,
with nothing attractive about them, and such as no one could love but
their mothers, we rejected them, fearing lest no English boys would care
to play with them, and told Kamrasi that his offspring only could play
with our children, and unless I got some princes of that interesting
breed, no one would ever undertake to teach children brought from this
country. The king was very much disappointed at this announcement; said
they were his adopted children, and the only ones he could part with,
for his own boys were mere balls of fat, and too small to leave home.

Chapter XIX. The March to Madi

Sail down the Kafu--The Navigable Nile--Fishing and Sporting
Population--The Scenery on the River--An Inhospitable Governor--Karuma
Falls--Native Superstitions--Thieveries--Hospitable Reception at Koki by
Chongi.

After giving Kamrasi a sketching-stool, we dropped down the Kafu two
miles in a canoe, in order that the common people might not see us; for
the exclusive king would not allow any eyes but his won to be indulged
with the extraordinary sight of white men in Unyoro! The palace side
of the river, however, as we paddled away, was thronged with anxious
spectators amongst whom the most conspicuous was the king's favourite
nurse. Dr K'yengo's men were very anxious to accompany us, even telling
the king, if he would allow the road to be opened to their countrymen,
all would hongo, or pay customs-duty to him; but the close,
narrow-minded king could not be persuaded. Bombay here told us Kamrasi
at the last moment wished to give me some women and ivory; and when told
we never accepted anything of that sort, wished to give them to my head
servants; but this being contrary to standing orders also, he said he
would smuggle them down to the boats for Bombay in such a manner that I
should not find out.

We were not expected to march again, but being anxious myself to see
more of the river, before starting, I obtained leave to go by boat as
far as the river was navigable, sending our cattle by land. To this
concession was accompanied a request for a few more gun-caps, and
liberty was given us to seize any pombe which might be found coming
on the river in boats, for the supplies to the palace all come in this
manner. We then took boat again, an immense canoe, and, after going a
short distance, emerged from the Kafu, and found ourselves on what at
first appeared a long lake, averagi