Page:Two kings of Uganda.djvu/79

embroidered with gold, all native work, and with bright pink trousers of the same material. This is Mukwenda, Earl of Singo; he is followed by a motley crowd of vassals a wee slave boy bearing his pipe and shoes, other slaves carrying his gracefully decanter-shaped bottle gourd with its exquisitely worked "luseke," a long bent tube, on the outside of which is plaited beautiful fine-coloured grass. Mukwenda stalks along with the air of an emperor. But his peers do not forget that though he is an earl to-day, he is a mere mushroom nobleman, a parvenu, a peasant. Only a few years ago he was but a miserable "mugoma" or drummer—a harlequin on whom the royal favour had lighted. He carries in his hand a long curiously-shaped white staff, which has been polished with Nature's own glass-paper, the rough leaves of a certain tree which are called "luwawo." On his head he wears a red fez. He, like us, has come to "kika," that is to present himself at Mutesa's grand "lukiko," or levee. All this time I was mounted on the donkey, and we pushed our way onward through the throng of hurrying courtiers, till we approached a second gateway. Through this I caught a glimpse of the scarlet coats of several stately chiefs. But just as we were about to enter, a sliding gate of reeds was rudely drawn across our path, and immediately fastened with the thin leather thong used for the purpose. My companion, Mr. O'Flaherty, however, was quite equal to the occasion, and whipping out his pocket-knife he cut the thong and forced open