“What is the news, Sabadu?” I asked eagerly as he stepped on the shore near our camp with gloomy looks. “Anything wrong?” “Ah,” he sighed; “the people of Bumbireh are bad, wicked people. We went on shore at Kajurri, saw some twenty people there, and Kytawa’s chief talked with them. They said we might go and cut as many bananas as we wanted, and they would talk afterwards about the price we should have to pay. The Waganda left their spears, and, taking only their _mundu_—bill-hooks—proceeded to cut the fruit while I remained in the canoe. Suddenly I heard a shout and a rustling in the banana grove, and the Waganda came running back, and pushing the canoes into the water, plunged in, and got on board. Kytawa’s chief had his left arm chopped clean off, and then they cut him on the head, which killed him. Eight of the Waganda[18] have been badly hurt. They will be carried on shore presently, and you shall see them. Bumbireh! ah, ah! Bumbireh is bad!” he said emphatically. The wounded men were brought on shore with ghastly wounds from spears, and one or two from arrows, at the sight of which a grand rush was made upon the captives by two or three hundred excited Waganda and Wazongora, but with the aid of the Wangwana and Frank we saved them. “Gently, gently, friends,” we cried; “these men are not they who are guilty of this deed. Do not ill-use them; they are innocent.” M’kwanga, the chief of the search expedition of Waganda, was furious. He seized his shield and three spears, and called his men together, telling them to arm, as he would lead them through and through Bumbireh, and then would proceed to Antari and slay him in his house, would cut down every banana, burn down every hut, and scorch Ihangiro to a cinder, &c. But M’kwanga was persuaded to be patient, and not foolishly throw more lives away. We should, I told him, consult together, and if I found, after consideration, that my duty was to avenge this deed, I should do it. Said he: “If you do not assist me to punish this treachery, you need never expect to see Mtesa’s face or Uganda again. The Waganda came to do you service; they came to seek you while Mtesa believed you were lost. The Waganda, with myself and Sabadu, promised to stand by you when we heard you were in danger. The Waganda left your camp with your consent to go and get food for you as well as for us. Kytawa’s chief is dead, and here are eight wounded men. What will you do?” “Only what I think is right, and after proper consideration. If I do not assist you, it will not prevent you from going to fight them to-morrow.” “But,” said M’kwanga, “if I go to fight to-morrow by myself, I shall never return to Mahyiga.” He stalked away sullenly, and the Waganda became cold and distant towards us, as though we were to blame for the sad event. The Wazongora bewailed their chief aloud, and the strangely mournful tones of their lamentations produced a powerful impression on all who heard them.