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John Hanning Speke - The Discovery of the Source of the Nile
the king at the N'yanza, because they thought they would not be justified in calling on him so quickly
after their arrival. Maula's house, in consequence of this, was full of beef and pombe; whilst, in his
courtyard, men, women, and children, with feet in stocks, very like the old parish stocks in England,
waited his pleasure, to see what demands he would make upon them as the price of their release. After
anxiously watching, I found out that Meri was angry with me for not allowing Ilmas's woman to live in
my house; and, to conquer my resolution against it - although I ordered it with a view to please Ilmas, for
he was desperately in love with her - she made herself sick by putting her finger down her throat. I
scolded her for her obstinacy. She said she was ill - it was not feigned; and if I would give her a goat to
sacrifice she would be well at once; for she had looked into the magic horn already, and discovered that
if I have her a goat for that purpose it would prove that I loved her, and her health would be restored to
her at once. Hallo! Here was a transformation from the paternal position into that of a henpecked
husband! Somebody, I smelt at once, had been tampering with my household whilst I was away. I
commenced investigations, and after a while found out that Rozaro's sister had brought a magician
belonging to her family into the hut during my absence, who had put Meri up to this trick of extorting a
goat from me, in order that he might benefit by it himself, for the magician eats the sacrifice, and keeps
the skin.
I immediately ordered him to be seized and bound to the flag- staff, whilst Maula, Uledi, Rozaro, and
Bombay were summoned to witness the process of investigation. Rozaro flew into a passion, and tried to
release the magician as soon as he saw him, affecting intense indignation that I should take the law into
my own hands when one of Rumanika's subjects was accused; but only lost his dignity still more on
being told he had acknowledged his inability to control his men so often when they had misbehaved, that
I scorned to ask his assistance any longer. He took huff at this, and, as he could not help himself, walked
away, leaving us to do as we liked. The charge was fully proved. The impudent magician, without leave,
and contrary to all the usages of the country, had entered and set my house against itself during my
absence, and had schemed to rob me of a goat. I therefore sentenced him to fifty lashes - twenty-five for
the injury he had inflicted on my by working up a rebellion in my house, and the remaining twenty-five
for attempting larceny - saying, as he had wanted my goat and its skin, so now in return I wanted his
skin. These words were no sooner pronounced than the wretched Meri cried out against it, saying all the
fault was hers: "Let the stick skin my back, but spare my doctor; it would kill me to see him touched."
This appeal let me see that there was something in the whole matter too deep and intricate to be remedied
by my skill. I therefore dismissed her on the spot, and gave her, as a sister and free woman, to Uledi and
his pretty Mhmula wife, giving Bombay orders to carry the sentences into execution. After walking about
till after dark, on returning to the empty house, I had some misgivings as to the apparent cruelty of
abandoning one so helpless to the uncertainties of this wicked world. Ilmas's woman also ran away,
doubtless at the instigation of Rozaro's sister, for she had been denied any further access to the house as
being at the bottom of all this mischief.
3d. - I was haunted all night by my fancied cruelty, and in the morning sent its victim, after Uganda
fashion, some symbolical presents, including a goat, in token of esteem; a black blanket, as a sign of
mourning; a bundle of gundu anklets; and a packet of tobacco, in proof of my forgiveness.
Chapter XIV. Palace, Uganda - Continued
Reception of a Victorious Army at Court - Royal Sport - A Review of the Troops - Negotiations for the
Opening of the Road along the Nile - Grant's Return - Pillagings - Court Marriages - The King's Brothers
- Divinations and Sacrifices - The Road granted at last - The Preparations for continuing the Expedition -
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