lower lips, as well as in the lobes of both of their ears, in
which they wear small brass rings. They live near the N'yanza--where it
is connected by a strait with a salt lake, and drained by a river to the
northward--in comfortable houses, built like the tembes of Unyamuezi.
When killing a cow, they kneel down in an attitude of prayer, with both
hands together, held palm upwards, and utter Zu, a word the meaning of
which he did not know. I questioned him to try if the word had any trace
of a Christian meaning--for instance, a corruption of Jesu--but without
success. Circumcision is not known amongst them, neither have they any
knowledge of God or a soul. A tribe called Wakuavi, who are white, and
described as not unlike myself, often came over the water and made raids
on their cattle, using the double-edged sime as their chief weapon of
war. These attacks were as often resented, and sometimes led the Wamara
in pursuit a long way into their enemy's country, where, at a place
called Kisiguisi, they found men robed in red cloths. Beads were
imported, he thought, both from the east and from Ukidi. Associated with
the countries Masau or Masai, and Usamburu, which he knew, there was a
large mountain, the exact position of which he could not describe.

I took down many words of his language, and found they corresponded with
the North African dialects, as spoken by the people of Kidi, Gani,
and Madi. The southerners, speaking of these, would call them Wakidi,
Wagani, and Wamadi, but among themselves the syllable was is not
prefixed, as in the southern dialects, to signify people. Rumanika, who
appeared immensely delighted as he assisted me in putting the questions
I wanted, and saw me note them down in my book, was more confirmed than
ever in the truth of my stories that I came from the north, and thought
as the beads came to Amara, so should I be able to open the road and
bring him more visitors. This he knew was his only chance of ever seeing
me more, for I swore I would never go back through Usui, so greatly did
I feel the indignities imposed on me by Suwarora.

18th.--To keep the king in good-humour, I now took a table-knife, spoon,
and fork to the palace, which, after their several uses were explained,
were consigned to his curiosity-box. Still Rumanika could not understand
how it was I spent so much and travelled so far, or how it happened such
a great country as ours could be ruled by a woman. He asked the Queen's
name,