Through the Dark Continent, Vol. 1 (of 2) : $b or, The sources of the Nile around the Great Lakes of Equatorial Africa and down the Livingstone River to the Atlantic OceanStanley, Henry M. (Henry Morton)
History
Through the Dark Continent, Vol. 1 (of 2) : $b or, The sources of the Nile around the Great Lakes of Equatorial Africa and down the Livingstone River to the Atlantic Ocean
Stanley, Henry M. (Henry Morton)
Africa, Central -- Description and travel; Stanley, Henry M. (Henry Morton), 1841-1904 -- Travel -- Africa, Central
Then turning to the Waganda, he fiercely shouted, “Cut them to little
pieces, and pile their remains on the plain without the camp.” As Suna
commanded, so was it done, and the Waganda were employed on this
monstrous work for five days, for they obeyed his command literally,
and, beginning at the legs and arms, hacked their victims to pieces
without taking the trouble to despatch them first.
Usoga, upon hearing of this terrible deed, sent all its principal men
and chiefs to implore pardon and proffer submission and allegiance,
which Suna was pleased to accept. This event closed the war, and Suna
returned to his palace in Uganda with a train of 5000 female captives
and 8000 children.
Soon after his return to Uganda the Wasoga rebelled a second time under
the leadership of Rura, chief of Nakaranga, upon hearing which Suna
smiled grimly and said, “Rura has taken much time to make up his mind;
since he has waited so long let him wait a little longer, and I will
show him who his master is.”
Meantime Namujurilwa, chief of Uddu, after returning to visit his home,
heard that his neighbour the king of Ankori or Usagara was preparing to
invade his country with a mighty force. Ever prompt for mischief and
war, Namujurilwa did not wait to meet the Wasagara on his own soil, but
beat his war-drum, and, mustering his followers, marched through Bwera
and penetrated into the very heart of Ankori, and there surprised his
enemies, assembled under five princes, in their own camp.
Namujurilwa fell upon them with a ferocity and vigour that the numerical
superiority of his enemies could not equal. For five hours the battle
lasted without intermission or advantage to either side, when
Namujurilwa was accidentally met by one of the princes of Ankori.
“Not dead yet, Namujurilwa?” cried the prince. “Wait a little for me,”
saying which he took a bow from one of his servants and shot an arrow
which hit the border of the tough double bull-hide shield which the
chief of Uddu generally carried.
Namujurilwa did not wait for a second arrow, but bounded forward, crying
out, “No, not dead yet, prince” (_Mlangira_), “and shall not die until I
have killed you,” and forthwith launched his dirk-pointed spear, which
pinned both the shield and body of the unfortunate youth.
Another prince coming up and observing his brother fall, shot an arrow,
and pierced the leopard-skin of the Uddu chief, who returned the
compliment with one of his long spears, which penetrated his body and
protruded far through his back. The death of these two princes decided
the battle, for the Wasagara became panic-stricken and fled, leaving a
vast spoil of cattle and effects in the conqueror’s hands.
Upon returning to Uddu from the war, the victorious chief sent 300
women, 600 children of both sexes, and 1000 head of cattle to the
Emperor Suna, as his share of the spoil, who on viewing the magnificent
gift said to his chiefs in assembly, “Truly, Namujurilwa is brave, there
is none like him in Uganda.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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