The report of this invasion by armed Europeans of course reached Kabrega and aroused all his suspicions. Had he not already conjectured that Emin would construct those stations on the lake because he had designs upon his country? All his promises to withdraw from the stations some day and leave him with great riches were nothing but empty deceit! Now help was coming from the south, a strong army with European guns, that would attack his country on two sides, capture Unjoro and settle down there as white men had often treated other negro races. But this treacherous messenger who had deceived him all the time and kept him to suspense should pay the penalty. Casati knew his danger, but he faced it bravely. On the ninth of January, 1888, the Vizier Guakamatera invited him to come and see him. Casati went with Biri, who was there at the time, and his faithful companions, to the house of the great dignitary. What was their astonishment as they came in sight of it to find it surrounded by a large armed force! Biri whispered, “Let us go back.” “It is useless. We must go forward and hasten our steps,” said Casati. At the foot of an ancient tree, which was majestic in the abundance of its foliage as well as in its height, sat the high priest with the minor magicians around him. He wore a splendid turban of red stuff, decorated with glass pearls and shells, and from his temples projected two ox horns upon which hung little wooden talismans. In his left hand he held a great horn filled with a magic powder and in his right the conjuring staff. He wore a white cloak of oxhide fastened to his left shoulder and sat upon a small stool in a serious manner befitting his high dignity. The palace door opened, trumpets sounded, and the vizier appeared, surrounded by soldiers. The troops scattered about the place, savage, naked figures with rattling iron rings fastened to their feet and hands, and arranged themselves in a close circle a little distance away. They were armed with guns, spears, shields, bows and arrows, fully a thousand strong. A mysterious frigid silence, which denoted an extraordinary event, pervaded the assemblage. All eyes were fixed upon Guakamatera, whose colossal figure towered above those around him. “This is treachery,” whispered Casati in Biri’s ear. “May God help us! All hope is useless. We must show courage.” Perhaps ten minutes passed after the coming of the vizier. Suddenly he raised his right arm. The signal was given. The air was filled with savage cries. The savages rushed upon their victims, seized them and bound them to trees hand and foot, so tightly that they could not move. Guakamatera approached Casati. “I am going by command of my king to your lodging. I know that you have an armed force there, which has come secretly and gradually from Wadelai, and with which you have intended to get possession of the country. Woe to them if they make the least resistance. They shall be killed at once.”