I RECEIVED a noiseless ovation as I walked side by side with the governor, Sayd bin Salim, towards his tembe in Kwikuru, or the capital. The Wanyamwezi pagazis were out by hundreds, the warriors of Mkasiwa, the sultan, hovered around their chief, the children-naked dusky cherubs-were seen between the legs of their parents, even infants, a few months old, slung over their mothers' backs, all paid the tribute due to my color, with one grand concentrated stare. The only persons who talked with me were the Arabs, and aged Mkasiwa, ruler of Unyanyembe. Sayd bin Salim's house was at the north-western corner of the inclosure, a stockaded boma of Kwikuru. We had tea made in a silver tea-pot, and a bountiful supply of "dampers were smoking under a silver cover; and to this repast I was invited. When a man has walked eight miles or so without any breakfast, and a hot tropical sun has been shining on him for three or four hours, he is apt to do justice to a meal, especially if his appetite is healthy. I think I astonished the governor by the dexterous way in which I managed to consume eleven cups of his aromatic concoction of an Assam herb, and the easy effortless style with which I demolished his high tower of "slap-jacks," that but a minute or so smoked hotly under their silver cover. For the meal, I thanked the Sheikh, as only an earnest and sincerely hungry man, now satisfied, could thank him. Even if I had not spoken, my gratified looks had well informed him, under what obligations I had been laid to him. Out came my pipe and tobacco-pouch. "My friendly Sheikh, wilt thou smoke?" "No, thanks! Arabs never smoke." "Oh, if you don't, perhaps you would not object to me smoking, in order to assist digestion?" "Ngema-good-go on, master." Then began the questions, the gossipy, curious, serious, light questions: "How came the master ?" By the Mpwapwa road." "It is good. Was the Makata bad ?" "Very bad." "What news from Zanzibar?" "Good; Syed Toorkee has possession of Muscat, and Azim bin Ghis was slain in the streets." "Is this true, Wallahi ?" (by God.) "It is true." 66 Heh-heh-h! This is news;"-stroking his beard. |