Page:Two kings of Uganda.djvu/90

honour, to the shame that awaited them-a fate which was speedily meted out to them.

The first party got safely across the frontier; but the Bakede meanwhile had gathered in force, and intercepted the second division; and the Baganda, in spite of their guns, were utterly annihilated by the spears of their warlike assailants.

I may here give an account of my last interview with Mutesa. We had heard that there was to be a grand "Kiwendo," or human sacrifice, at the next feast of the Lubare, or Demiurge of Buganda, who, unlike the sublime “Katonda” (“Creator”), interests himself in the affairs of men, and to whom sacrifices and offerings are constantly made. We thought it our duty to remonstrate with the king, and to attempt to dissuade him from so great a crime. We accordingly wrote him a letter, which I was deputed to deliver. As a rule Mutesa liked receiving letters, though this time he utterly refused it. We had sent a letter to him on a former occasion to ask him not to take revenge on the Bakede for having annihilated his army; no revenge expedition as a matter of fact was sent, but whether from fear of God or fear of the Bakede I should not like to hazard an opinion.

As I made my way to the king's enclosure, a little incident occurred which aptly illustrates one of the customs of the country. When I turned into the main road leading to Nabulagala, I overtook a large party of women, the harem of some great chief, preceded by a