American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-12-18
VOL. XIV,

began to lay hands on everything; but W,
found their purpose out, and warned the
canoes away with my gun. They jeerec
at this, and Immediately seized theil
spears and shields, while one canOt
fastened away with some beads they haG
stolen, and which a man insolently hello
up to my view, and invited us to catch
him. At sight of this 1 fired, and the
man fell dead in his canoe. The othe.s
prepared to launch their spears, but the
repeating rifle was too much for the
crowd of warriors, who had hastened like
pirates to rob us. Three were shot dead
and, as they retreated, my elephant rife
smashed their canoes, the result of which
we saw in the confusion attending each
shot. After few shots from the big gun
we continued on our way, still hugging
the shore of Uvuma, for twas unnecessary
to fly after such an exhibition of inglori-
GUS conduct on the part of thirteen canoes,
containing In the aggregate 100 men.
Shortly after this attack the boat was
anchored for the night, and next morning
Mr. Stanley and his crew rowed toward
Ripon Falls and the Napoleon Channel,
whence the great Niyanza discharges the
waters which become known to the world
as the perfect Nile which annually re
suscitates parched Egypt.
From Ripon Falls they proceeded along
irregular shore of Uganda At Kriva the
travellers secured guides, who offered to
conduct them to Mtesa's capital. Hating
at the Island of Kibibi a short time, they
proceeded to Ukafu, from whence they
dispatched messengers to Mtesa to an
nounce the arrival of white visitor in
Uganda, who had been most Hospitality
received, with fair words, but with empty
hands, along the coast of Uganda. Arriv-
ing at Beya they were welcomed by a fleet
of canoes, sent by Mtesa to conduct them
to his quarters.
On the 4th of April, says Mr. Stanley,
landed, amid a concourse of 2, 900 people,
who saluted me with deafening volley
of musketry and waving of flags. Kata-
kiro, the chief Mukungu, or officer, in
Uganda, then conducted me to comforta-
BILE quarters, Ito which shortly afterward
were brought sixteen goats, ten oxen, an
immense quantity of bananas, plantains,
sweetpotatoes, beside eggs, chickens,
milk, rice, ghee and butter After such a
royal and bountiful gift felt more curl
osity than ever to see the generous mon
arch.
In the afternoon Mtesa, having pre-
pared beforehand for my reception, sent to
say that he was ready to receive me Is
suing out of my quarters 1 found myself
in broad street eighty feet wide and half
mile long, which was lined by his per-
sonal guards and attendants, his captains
and their respective retinues, to the num-
Der of about 5000. At the extreme end of
this street and fronting it was the Kings
audience house, in whose shadow 1 saw
dimly the figure OF the King sitting in
char.
As advanced toward him the soldiers
continued to Me their guns. The drums
beat fearful tempest of sound, and the
flags waved, until 1 became conscious
that all this display was far beyond my
merits, and consequently felt greatly en-
barrassed by SO fattering a reception
Arrived before the audience-h house the
King arose-a tall and slender figure,
dressed in Arab costume-approached me
a few PAGES, and held outhis hand mutely
Mtesa is about thirty -four years old. tall
and slender in build, as / have already
stated, but with very broad shoulders.
His face is very agreeable and pleasant,
and indicates Intelligence and mildness.
AS soon as he began 10 speak became
captivated by his manner, for there was
much of the polish of a true gentleman
about tit was at once amiable. graceful
and friendly. 1t assured me that in Mtesa
[ had found friend, a generous King
and an intelligent ruler.
If you will recollect that Mtesa is a
native of Central Africa, and that he had
seen but three white men until came,
you will, perhaps, be as much astonished
as was. And ifycu will but think of the
enormous extent of country he rules, ex-
tending from east longitude "a to east
longitude 81, and from north latitude to
south latitude 80, you will perceive the
immense influence he could WELD toward
the civilization of Africa. Indeed, could
not regard this King or look at him in any
other light than the Augustus by whose
means the light of the Gospel will be
brought to benighted Middle Africa.
Undoubtedly the Mtesa of to-day is
vastly superior to the vain youth whom
Spoke and Grant saw. There 10 no
butcherv of men or women; seldom one
suffers the extreme punishment. Spoke
and Grant left him raw, vain youth and
q heather. He is now a gentleman, and,
protesting Islamism, submits to other
laws than his own cratic will, which, we
are told, led TO severe and fatal conse.
quences.
Behind his throne the royal shield
bearers, lance bearers and gun bearers
stand erect and staid. On either side of
him are his grand chiefs and courtiers,
SONS of Governors of his provinces, chiefs
of districts, etc.
Mtesa asked number of questions
about various things, thereby showing
vast amount of curiosity and great intelli-
gence.
The King had arrived at this camp
Usavara-fourteen days before my arrival,
with this immense army of followers for
the purpose of shooting birds. He now
proposed to return after two or three days
rest to his capital at Ulagalla or Uragara.
Each day of my stay at Usavara was
scene of gayety and rejoicing On the
Off O hoh n16
naval review-eighty- four canoes, each
by from thirty to forty men, con-
tanning in the aggregate about $500 men.
We had excellent races and witnessed
various maneuvers by water. Each Ad-
miral We'd with the other in extOlling
aloud the glory of their monarch or in ex-
citing admiration from the hundreds of
spectators on shore. The Kings 300
wives were present en- grande tenue and
were not the least important of those on
shore.
The second day the King led his fleet in
person to show me his prowess in shoot
ing birds. We rOwed or rather padded up
p" Murchison Creek" visiting en- route
dhow he is building for the navigation of
the lake, his place of residence and his
former capital, Banda, where Spoke and
Grant found him.
The third dav the troops of Mtesa exer-
cised at target practice, and on the fourth
day we all marched for the grand capital,
the Kibuga OF Uganda, Ulagalla or IRA
CARA. He is monarch who would de-
light the soul of any intelligent European,
as he would see in MESA the hope of Cen,
trail Africa. He is King of Karagwe,
Uganda, Unyora, Usoga and Usui. Each
day saw something which increased my
esteem and respect for him. He is fond
of initiating Europeans and great Kings,
which trait with a little tuition would