The Baganda are a very warlike people, who have constantly increased their territory at the expense of neighbours, with whom they have at all times been ready to quarrel. At times the king would lead his army in person, or again the task might be given to generals, who were always elaborately dressed in skins of animals. No mercy was shown to a defeated people, who were, of course, despoiled of everything worth possessing, and a great deal of the booty was claimed by the king of the victorious people. Mr. Roscoe says: “After the spoil had been divided, the general gave the order to the chiefs to disband their men and let them go home. The important chiefs accompanied the general to the capital to report to the king before they were allowed to visit their homes; but if there had been a reverse, they, too, went to their country residences for some ten days before visiting the king. People lined the roads to welcome the army; women ran to meet their husbands with gourds of water, took from them their weapons, and were proud to carry these as they marched along the crowded roads. Warriors dashed at imaginary foes, drums were beaten, fifes were played, and songs of victory were sung.” In times of peace the Baganda amuse themselves by relating interesting stories, a few of which are given in the following pages. CHAPTER VIII STORIES TOLD BY THE BAGANDA At one time cats were servants of fowls, to whom they had to pay tribute in the form of flying ants, done up in small packets. This duty became very irksome, and on several occasions the cats were very much inclined to rebel, but were afraid to do so when the fowls threatened to burn them with their red combs. At one time, when the cats’ fire had gone out a mother cat sent her young one to make fire by placing some dry grass near to the red comb of an old rooster who was very drunk and fast asleep. Presently the kitten returned with the report that he could not get a light from the red comb of the sleeping cock. This aroused the curiosity of the mother cat, and at once she went and convinced herself that the cock’s comb, though red, was quite cold. She then wakened the rooster, and along with other cats declared that never again would she serve the fowls. The fowls saw that their deception was no longer of any use, so they came to the nearest village and asked man for his protection against the cats.