Grieved that Naku should suffer, Kimyera
woke the queen from her sorrowful condition with tones that soon started
her to her feet, and lo, all at once, those who were present joined in
the lively dance, and nothing but gay laughter was heard from them. Oh,
it was wonderful what quick changes came over people as they heard the
flute of Kimyera. When he ceased people began to look at one another in
a foolish and confused way, as though something very strange had
happened to them.

But Naku quickly recovered, and went to Kimyera, smiling and saying:

"It is for thee to command, O Kimyera. To resist thy flute would be
impossible. Again welcome to Ganda, and we shall see if we cannot keep
thee and thy flute amongst us."

She conducted Kimyera and his foster-father Mugema to their house. She
examined carefully the arrangements made by the slaves, and when she
found anything amiss she corrected it with her own hands. Before she
parted from them she called Mugema aside, and questioned him further
respecting the youth, by which means she obtained many interesting
particulars concerning him.

On arriving at her own house she called all the pages of the court to
her, and gave orders that if Sebwana told them to convey such and such
things to the strangers next day, that none of them should do so, but
carry them to the rear court where only women were admitted.

In consequence of this command Mugema and Kimyera found themselves
deserted next day, and not one person went near them. Mugema therefore
sought an interview the day after with Queen Naku and said:

"The custom of this country seems strange to us, O Queen. On the first
day we came thy favours showered abundance on us, but on the next not a
single person showed his face to us. Had we been in a wilderness we
could not have been more alone. It is possible that we may have
offended thee unknown to ourselves. Pray acquaint us with our offence,
or permit us to depart at once from Ganda."

"Nay, Mugema, I must ask thee to be patient. Food ye shall have in
abundance, through my women, and much more is in store for ye. But
come, I will visit the young stranger, and thou shalt lead me to him."

Kimyera had been deep in thought ever since he had parted from Naku, and
he had not observed what Mugema had complained of; but on seeing Naku
enter his house, he hasted and laid matting on the floor, and, covering
it with leopard-skins, begged Naku to be seated on them.