The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-07-24

yachting on Murchison Creek for several
days, and he frequently went shooting
with the Princes of the court, who, when
he had shot anything, would rush up to
shake him heartily by the hand-a custom
little known in that part of Africa. Be-
fore leaving they heard from the King
Karasi, that body of white men had been
seen to the north, who had killed num-
bers of the natives with wonderful gun.
This made Captain Spoke most anxious to
push on, as he supposed the party of white
men to be that of Mr. Petherick, who had
appointed to meet him. He then started
Ior Uganda with a numerous retinue.
Before leaving King Rumanika's palace at
haragWe he had noticed on several occa-
slons three or four lofty mountain peaks,
more than ten thousand feet high The
King OF Uganda sent an armed body of
men to meet him, who conducted him
through the kingdom. Everywhere thew
went the people left their huts. leaving
their provisions behind them. The fertil1
ity Of this part is very great. and the
scenery on the shores of the lake most
beautiful.
On arriving at the King of Uganda's
capital Captain Spoke found it necessary
to wrap his presents in chintz before send
ing them to the King, as nothing bare or
naked could be looked at by his Majesty.
He found the palace to consist of hundreds
of conical tents, spread over the spur of a
hill. Thousands Of courtiers and attend
ants were to be seen engaged in every
conceivable occupation, from playing on
musical instruments to feeding the royal
chickens. On sending word to the King
that he wished for an interview, that
monarch sent back a sharp message that
he was to sit on the ground and wait I'M
til he was at liberty. Captain Spoke,
however, sent back word that he was
prince, and not accustomed either to sit
on the ground Or to wait. A courtier fol-
lowed him, prophesying all kinds of evil
from his presumption.
Captain Spoke, however, terrified the
whole court, King and all, into submission
by merely opening his umbrella, which
they took to be a deadly weapon, killing
by magic. A chair was consequently al
lowed to Captain Spoke, who was received
by the King, surrounded by his court, and
having by his side the women crowned
with dead lizards, to ward off the effects
Of the evil eye. The King stared at him
tor abou. an hour, at the end of which time
his Majesty said, Have you seen me?''
and retired to another tent, where the
same process OF staring was followed by
similar inquiry. The King went into
third tent, and Captain Spoke followed
This time however, the monarch deigned
to examine Captain Speke's Whitworth
rifle. Captain Spoke told him that it was
the custom of the inhabitants of the coun-
try of which he was a prince, to make
presents of everything that they possessed
to any king into whose country they en-
tered. He accordingly left him several
rifles and watches, and quantity of gun
powder. He endeavored to engage his
Majesty in conversation about Petherick's
party, and the possibility of opening trade
through the north. 1t was long time,
however, before he gained his confidence.
On leaving the King presented him with
numerous very valuable presents.
At Gondokoro Captain Spoke met Mr..
Baker, but the latter hearing from Captain
Spoke that he had not been able to ex-
plore the Lake Luta Nzgi, Mr. Baker i'm
mediately set off on an expedition in that
direction, and Captain Spoke has no doubt
that by next year we shall know all about
this supposed tributary of the Nile
Captain Grant was present at this meet
ing, but made no speech