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view； but rendered the station damp and dreary。
I explained to the chiefs the folly of Kabba Rega in thus neglecting
such magnificent soil； which； with a little labour； would produce all
that we could require； and would save both him and his people the
trouble of feeding us。 At the same time I set all hands of my own people
to clear a large space and to make gardens。
Unyoro had always been a country of cowardice and suspicion； and I could
plainly see that we were narrowly watched。 Kabba Rega usually sat in his
public divan from about two p。m。 till 4 daily； to transact public
business。 This large circular building was extremely neat； and the
ground was carefully strewed with the long fringes of the papyrus rush；
after the fashion of our ancestors in England； who； before the
introduction of carpets； strewed the floor with rushes。
The young king informed me that； as he wished to be in constant
communication with me personally； he should build a new divan within a
few yards of my residence； so that we could converse upon all occasions
without being watched by his people。
This was merely an excuse for erecting a building within fifty yards of
my house； from which his guards could watch all that happened； and
report everything to their master。
The new building was constructed with wonderful quickness； and prettily
walled with canes inside to resemble basket…work。
Kabba Rega came to his new divan； attended by a number of his guards； or
bonosoora； armed with guns。 To give him confidence； I went to see him
unattended； except by Lieutenant Baker and my ever…faithful attendant；
Monsoor； who did not at all approve of my going unarmed。
The conversation quickly turned upon guns。 Kabba Rega was delighted with
the mechanism of Monsoor's snider rifle； which he at once understood and
explained to his body…guard。 He appeared to have quite lost his shyness；
and he begged me to consider him simply in the light of my own son； and
to give him all the merchandise AT ONCE that I had brought with me to
establish a new trade。
I told him that fathers did not give their sons all their property at
once； but that if I saw that he performed his duty to the Khedive； he
need not fear。 I had both the power and the good…will to reward him。
He continued the conversation precisely according to his late father
Kamrasi's style： 〃I have no one but yourself to regard。 Does not a
father consider the interests of his son？ You were my father's friend；
and I have always looked for your return。 I knew that Abou Saood was a
liar when he spoke against you； I knew that he was an impostor when he
announced himself as the son of a sultan。 Would the son of a sultan only
give me a present of an old carpet and a dirty washing…basin？ I always
said； 'Wait till the Pacha comes'； Mallegge； （Mallegge； or the Man with
the Beard； was my nickname in Unyoro during my former journey。） my
father's friend。 He is truly a great man； who does not travel
empty…handed； and he will bring me presents worth my acceptancethings
that the impostor； Abou Saood； does not understand the use of。' By the
by； there was a magic instrument with which you could find your way
without a guide in strange countries； that you PROMISED to send to my
father； you have； of course； brought it for me？〃
This demand amused me much； as I well remembered how Kamrasi had
bothered me for my compass。 I pretended that he meant a watch； which I
had already given him。
At length I was obliged to promise that if he would clear away the grass
and cultivate the neighbouring ground； I would give him a compass。
I now explained the advantages of free trade； and I begged him to order
his men to complete the government house without delay； as I could not
unpack my numerous boxes until I had some place where I could exhibit
the contents。 I described the difficulties of the route from Khartoum；
and the expense of transport from Gondokoro； owing to the unwillingness
of the Baris to carry loads； and I explained my intention of erecting
steamers on the Nile which would bring all kinds of merchandise to
Unyoro via the Albert N'yanza in exchange for ivory； thus the Zanzibar
trade would turn towards the north and the elephants' tusks that were
now purchased by M'tese； would remain in Unyoro； until delivered to the
Khedive's government in barter for manufactured goods。
The name of M'tese seemed to make him uncomfortable。 He replied： 〃You
are my father； and you will stand by your son against his enemies。 This
M'tese troubles me。 In my father Kamrasi's lifetime he frequently
attacked us； and carried off our herds together with our women and
children。 He is too strong to resist single…handed； but now that you are
hero I shall have no fear。 Don't let us talk about merchandise； that
will come in due time； never mind trade； let us talk about guns and
gunpowder。 You must give me muskets and ammunition in large quantities；
I will then arm all my bonosoora （soldiers） and with your assistance I
will fight M'tese。 I will then fill your large new house with ivory for
the Khedive。〃
〃There is no time to lose； you PROMISED to fight Rionga； my troops are
all ready； your men have nothing to do。 Keep a few here； and send the
main force with my army to attack him at once； before he has time to
escape to the Langgos。〃
I could almost have imagined that I had been speaking with Kamrasi； so
thoroughly did his son resemble him in his diplomacy。
I answered him with caution； declaring that I could not allow any
reckless acts that would plunge the country in confusion。 He （Kabba
Rega） had nothing to fear； but time was required to ripen my plans。 I
had promised that I would dismiss Suleiman and his people from Unyoro：
at the same time I should liberate all the slaves that had been stolen
by Abou Saood's companies； and restore them to their homes。 This was my
first duty； that would assure the natives of my sincerity； and establish
general confidence in the government。
Fatiko was 160 miles distant。 I should therefore send Suleiman and his
people under an escort direct to Major Abdullah； the commandant； with
orders to recover from Abou Saood all the slaves that had been captured
from Unyoro。
Major Abdullah would then break up his camp at Fatiko； and march in
charge of the slaves； with his detachment of 100 men； together with all
effects； and join me at Unyoro。 He would； upon arrival at the Victoria
Nile； occupy the now deserted station of Suleiman at Foweera； thus he
would be within a march of Rionga。
The old enemy of the family （Rionga） would then have an opportunity；
either of declaring his allegiance and remaining at peace； or； should he
become turbulent； a government force would be at hand to control him。
I therefore arranged that Kabba Rega should supply me with 300 carriers；
who would accompany my escort to Fatiko and transport all stores；
ammunition； &c。； &c。； so as to concentrate my force in Unyoro。
This plan seemed to delight Kabba Rega； he declared that the first step
necessary was the banishment of Suleiman and his people from the
country。 The next move would be the attack upon Rionga。 I explained to
him that it would be qu