Page:Two kings of Uganda.djvu/88

when we were all suddenly dismissed by a quick motion of the king's hand. Out we streamed as we had come in; and thus came to an end the great duty of the day, and every one was now free to follow his own devices until the next "baraza," levee, of the Kabaka was announced.

A few days after this, I went again with Mr. O'Flaherty to see the king, and on this occasion we had a private interview. A great number of the king's wives and other members of his harem were present. His Majesty was most affable and agreeable, and again repeated his verdict of the former occasion, that I was "Mulungi," and even said that I was worthy of one of his own daughters. He had thoughtfully, a day or two before, sent down to offer me a wife. I was ill at the time, and so Mackay kindly or unkindly, according to the view taken, refused her for me.

When Mutesa remarked that I ought to have a Mumbeja or princess, there was a shrill chorus from the ladies of "Wewawo,"-"Yes, indeed."

Mr. O'Flaherty remarked, in making polite excuses for me, that white people like to marry white people, as black people like to marry those of the same colour as themselves. Again the shrill chorus of female voices- "Oh no, but we like white men very much." After a little more badinage the interview was concluded. Mutesa never in the presence of any women indulged his perverted taste for vile conversation, which at any rate was one of many indications that there existed in