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John Hanning Speke - The Discovery of the Source of the Nile
haste under the guidance of an escort of officers, who were in reality appointed to watch us as dangerous
wizards and objects of terror. It was all the same to us, as we now only thought of the prospect of relief
before us, and laughed at what we had gone through.
Rising out of the Uthungu valley, we walked over rolling ground, drained in the dips by miry rush
rivulets. The population was thinly scattered in small groups of grass huts, where the scrub jungle had
been cleared away. On the road we passed cairns, to which every passer-by contributed a stone. Of the
origin of the cairns I could not gain any information, though it struck me as curious I should find them in
the first country we had entered governed by the Wahuma, as I formerly saw the same thing in the
Somali country, which doubtless, in earlier days, was governed by a branch of the Abyssinians. Arrived
at our camping, we were immediately pounced upon by a deputation of officers, who said they had been
sent by Semamba, the officer of this district. He lived ten miles from the road; but hearing of our
approach, he had sent these men to take his dues. At first I objected to pay, lest he should afterwards treat
me as Virembo had done; but I gave way in the end, and paid nine wires, two chintz and two bindera
cloths, as the guides said they would stand my security against any further molestation.
Rattling on again as merry as larks, over the same red sandstone formation, we entered a fine forest, and
trended on through it as a stiff pace until we arrived at the head of a deep valley called Lohuati, which
was so beautiful we instinctively pulled up to admire it. Deep down its well-wooded side below us was a
stream, of most inviting aspect for a trout-fisher, flowing towards the N'yanza. Just beyond it the valley
was clothed with fine trees and luxuriant vegetation of all descriptions, amongst which was conspicuous
the pretty pandana palm, and rich gardens of plantains; whilst thistles of extraordinary size and wild
indigo were the more common weeds. The land beyond that again rolled back in high undulations, over
which, in the far distance, we could see a line of cones, red and bare on their tops, guttered down with
white streaks, looking for all the world like recent volcanoes; and in the far background, rising higher
than all, were the rich grassy hills of Karague and Kishakka.
On resuming our march, a bird, called khongota, flew across our path; seeing which, old Nasib, beaming
with joy, in his superstitious belief cried out with delight, "Ah, look at that good omen! - now our
journey will be sure to be prosperous." After fording the stream, we sat down to rest, and were visited by
all the inhabitants, who were more naked than any people we had yet seen. All the maidens, even at the
age of puberty, did not hesitate to stand boldly in front of us - for evil thoughts were not in their minds.
From this we rose over a stony hill to the settlement of Vihembe, which, being the last on the Usui
frontier, induced me to give our guides three wires each, and four yards of bindera, which Nasib said was
their proper fee. Here Bombay's would-be, but disappointed, father-in-law sent after us to say that he
required a hongo; Suwarora had never given his sanction to our quitting his country; his hongo even was
not settled. He wished, moreover, particularly to see us; and if we did not return in a friendly manner, an
army would arrest our march immediately.
Chapter VIII. Karague
Relief from Protectors and Pillagers - The Scenery and Geology - Meeting with the Friendly King
Rumanika - His Hospitalities and Attention - His Services to the Expedition - Philosophical and
Theological Inquiries - The Royal Family of Karague - The M-Fumbiro Mountain - Navigation of "The
Little Windermere" - The New-Moon Levee - Rhinoceros and Hippopotamus Hunting - Measurement of
a Fattened Queen - Political Polygamy - Christmas - Rumours of Petherick's Expedition - Arrangements
to meet it - March to Uganda.
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