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My station had not been arranged for defence； as I considered that
hostilities in this country could not be possible。 Although black human
nature is the darkest shade of character； I never could have believed
that even Kabba Rega could have harboured treacherous designs against
us； after the benefits that both he and his people had received from me。
The country had been relieved from the slave…hunters； and my people were
actually on the road to Fatiko to liberate and restore to their families
about 1；000 women and children of Unyoro。 I was about to establish a
school。 No thefts had taken place on the part of the troops。 The rights
of every native had been respected。 The chiefs had received valuable
presents； and the people had already felt the advantage of legitimate
trade。
At the same time that hostility appeared impossible； I could not blind
myself to the fact of the late demonstration； it would therefore be
absolutely necessary to construct a small fort； for the security of the
ammunition and effects； which could no longer be exposed in simple straw
huts； without protection。
I explained this necessity to my officers and men； all of whom were
keenly alive to the evil spirit of Kabba Rega； from whom they expected
future mischief。
This miserable young fellow was nearly always drunk； his time was passed
in sucking plantain cider through a reed； until he became thoroughly
intoxicated。 We were； therefore； subject to any sudden order that he
might give in a fit of drunkenness。
His people obeyed him implicitly； with that fanatical belief that is
held in Unyoro respecting the person who occupies the magic throne
（Bamba）。
There could be no doubt that he was offended and insulted： therefore；
according to the principle in vino veritas； he might pluck up courage to
surprise us when least expected。
I determined to build a fort immediately。
I drew a plan of a circular stockade； surrounded by a ditch and earthen
parapet。 The ditch ten feet wide by seven deep。 The diameter from scarp
to scarp； sixty feet； diameter of inner circular court； thirty…six feet。
With the assistance of Lieutenant Baker I drew the plan on the ground；
and my troops set to work with that vigour which always distinguished
them。
There were numerous large trees of the fig tribe in the immediate
neighbourhood。 This wood was exactly adapted for the purpose； as it was
easy to cut； and at the same time it was undying when once planted in
the ground。 Any log of the bark…cloth tree will take root if watered。
The axes with which the men were provided now came into play； and the
clicking of so many tools at work at once surprised the natives。
Rahonka； Kittakara； and other chiefs came to inquire concerning our
intention。
I explained the necessity of storing the gunpowder in a fireproof
building。 Only a few days ago several native huts had been burnt； such
an accident might endanger our station； therefore I should construct an
earthen roof over a building of strong palisades。 I explained that
should the whole of the ammunition explode； it might ignite and destroy
Masindi。
My men thoroughly understood their work。 Immense logs； nine feet in
length； and many upwards of two feet in diameter； were planted； close
together； in holes two feet deep。 Any interstices were filled up with
smaller posts sunk firmly in the ground。 The entrance to the little fort
was a projecting passage； about twelve feet long； and only three feet
wide； formed of two rows of enormous palisades； sunk two feet six inches
in the earth； which was pounded closely down with heavy rammers。 This
passage was an important feature in the power of defence； as it added to
the flanking fire。 A reference to the plan will show that the
arrangement of this small fort gave us three fireproof rooms for the
protection of stores and ammunition； and for the accommodation of the
necessary guard。 Each of these rooms was formed of the strongest
palisades； upon which I arranged a flat roof of thick posts； laid
parallel； which were covered with tempered earth and chopped straw for
the thickness of a foot。
The earth from the ditch would lie against the outside face of the
stockade； at an angle of about 40 degrees from the edge of the ditch to
within eighteen inches of the projecting roof： thus the defenders could
fire from the strong rooms through the interstices of the upright
timbers。
We commenced this fort on the morning of 2nd June； and every palisade
was in its place and firmly rammed down by the evening of the 5th； thus；
in four days' hard work we had an impregnable protection in a position
nearly half…way between the entrance of the main approach and the
government divan。
The digging of the ditch was commenced； but this was a longer operation；
as we were provided with the light Unyoro hoes； which were not
sufficiently powerful to cut through the hard gravel subsoil。
The interpreter； Umbogo； returned on 3rd June。 He could not in the least
explain the hostile demonstration of 31st May。 This added to my
suspicion； as Umbogo must have known more than he chose to tell。
On the 4th June envoys arrived direct from M'tese； the king of Uganda；
with a letter of welcome； written in Arabic； addressed to myself。
The principal messenger was one of M'tese's headmen； named Waysooa。 The
commander…in…chief； Congow； had also sent a representative； named
Bonneggesah； these people were accompanied by an interpreter named
Bokamba。
The envoys were remarkably well…dressed； in Indian clothes； and they
appeared quite civilized； as though native merchants of Bombay。
They now delivered their credentials from King M'tese： these were
objects that had been given to him many years ago by Speke and Grant。 A
printed book （Kaffre laws）； several water…colour drawings； including a
picture of a guinea…fowl and a yellow…breasted pigeon； also a little
folding…book with sketches of British soldiers of various regiments。
These I carefully examined and returned to the envoys； who wrapped them
neatly in a piece of calico as great treasures。 （I must acknowledge
the important assistance rendered by the King M'tese； which was the
result of the good reputation left by my precursors； Speke and Grant。）
The general； Congow； had sent a tusk to SELL！ I declined the offer； but
I sent him a scarlet blanket as a present。 I also packed up an
assortment of handsome articles for M'tese； including many yards of
orange…coloured gold brocade； sufficient for a large flowing robe。
I gave presents to the envoys； and they appeared delighted； bowing
frequently to the ground while upon their knees； with their hands
clasped together； and repeating the word； 〃N'yanzig；〃 〃N'yanzig；〃
〃N'yanzig。〃
In reply to my inquiries； nothing had been heard of Livingstone。 I sent
M'tese a letter in Arabic； begging him to use every exertion in a search
for the great traveller； and to forward him to me； should he be so
fortunate as to discover him。 At the same time I wrote two letters；
which I addressed to Livingstone； in these I gave him the necessary
information。 I consigned them to the care of M'tese； to be forwarded to
any travellers who might be heard of； far o