he palace
to bid adieu to Rumanika, who appointed Rozaro, one of his officers,
to accompany me wherever I went in Uganda, and to bring me back safely
again. At Rumanika's request I then gave Mtesa's pages some ammunition
to hurry on with to the great king of Uganda, as his majesty had ordered
them to bring him, as quickly as possible, some strengthening powder,
and also some powder for his gun. Then, finally, to Maula, also under
Rumanika's instructions, I gave two copper wires and five bundles of
beads; and, when all was completed, set out on the march, perfectly sure
in my mind that before very long I should settle the great Nile problem
for ever; and, with this consciousness, only hoping that Grant would be
able to join me before I should have to return again, for it was never
supposed for a moment that it was possible I ever could go north from
Uganda. Rumanika was the most resolute in this belief, as the kings
of Uganda, ever since that country was detached from Unyoro, had been
making constant raids, seizing cattle and slaves from the surrounding
communities.

Chapter IX. History of the Wahuma

The Abyssinians and Gallas--Theory of Conquest of Inferior by Superior
Races--The Wahuma and the Kingdom of Kittara--Legendary History of the
Kingdom of Uganda--Its Constitution, and the Ceremonials of the Court.

The reader has now had my experience of several of the minor states, and
has presently to be introduced to Uganda, the most powerful state in the
ancient but now divided great kingdom of Kittara. I shall have to record
a residence of considerable duration at the court there; and, before
entering on it, I propose to state my theory of the ethnology of
that part of Africa inhabited by the people collectively styled
Wahuma--otherwise Gallas or Abyssinians. My theory is founded on the
traditions of the several nations, as checked by my own observations of
what I saw when passing through them. It appears impossible to believe,
judging from the physical appearance of the Wahuma, that they can be of
any other race than the semi-Shem-Hamitic of Ethiopia. The traditions
of the imperial government of Abyssinia go as far back as the scriptural
age of King David, from whom the late reigning king of Abyssinia, Sahela
Selassie, traced his descent.

Most people appear to regard the Abyssinians as a different race
from the Gallas, but, I believe, without foundation. Both alike are
Christians of the greatest antiquity. I