As soon as the sky was clear again, we returned to the little court, and this time became more confidential, as he asked many questions about England--such as, Whether the Queen knew anything about medicines?
Whether she kept a number of women as he did?
and what her palace was like ?--which gave me an opportunity of saying I would like to see his ships, for I heard they were very numerous--and also his menagerie, said to be full of wonderful animals.

He said the vessels were far off, but he would send for them; and although he once kept a large number of animals, he killed them all in practising with his guns.

The Whitworth rifle was then brought in for me to take to pieces and teach him the use of; and then the chronometer.
He then inquired if I would like to go shooting?
I said, "Yes, if he would accompany me--not otherwise." "Hippopotami ?" "Yes; there is great fun in that, for they knock the boats over when they charge from below." "Can you swim ?" "Yes." "So can I.And would you like to shoot buffalo ?" "Yes, if you will go." "At night, then, I will send my keepers to look out for them.

Here is a leopard-car, with white behind its ears, and a Ndezi porcupine of the short-quilled kind, which my people eat with great relish; and if you are fond of animals, I will give you any number of specimens, for my keepers net and bring in live animals of every kind daily; for the present, you can take this basket of porcupines home for your dinner." My men n'yanzigged--the king walked away, giving orders for another officer to follow up the first who went to Ukori, and bring Petherick quickly--and I went home.
This was to be a day of varied success.

When I arrived at my hut I found a messenger sent by the queen, with a present of a goat, called "fowls for Bana, my son," and a load of plantains, called potatoes, waiting for me; so I gave the bearer fundo of mtende beads, and told again the reasons why I had not been able to call upon the queen, but I hoped to do so shortly, as the king had promised me a house near at hand.