Page:Two kings of Uganda.djvu/95

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A PEACE OFFERING REFUSED.
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could be between the king's Koran and myself. I suddenly remembered, however, that the king had sent the book down to the Mission to be mended, and Mackay had turned the covers the wrong way about to facilitate the operation. The Arab had pointed this out to the king, and sat with a meekly satisfied air, enjoying my discomfiture, although he was a particular friend of mine, and used to visit me constantly.

I took out a new linen pocket-handkerchief, and told Kyambalango that this was for the king. The chief received it, but said that the king was angry, and would not accept my peace-offering. It did not, however, occur to Kyambalango to return it. Pocket-handkerchiefs are quite an institution in Buganda, but it is not etiquette to use one in public. So,unless you wish to be thought an ignorant boor or foreigner, you retire for a minute or two to blow your nose, the handkerchief being a small square of bark-cloth. I have seen a chief make use of the garment of one of his attendants. Colds are very common, and as it is considered impolite to speak of certain ailments, they are euphemistically described as "colds," ("senyiga") in which condition a large majority of the adult population constantly remain.

But to return. The king refused both my letter and my pocket-handkerchief, and I was not sorry to see him raise his hand and wave a signal that the reception had come to an end. Rather sadly I left; and this was

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