Any trifle would do but he preferred cloth.
This was rather perplexing.

Sirhid knew very well that I had a small reserve of pretty cloths, though all the common ones had been expended; so, to keep in good terms with him who was to be our intercessor, I said I would give him the last I had got if he would not tell Suwarora or any one else what I had done.

Of course he was quite ready to undertake the condition, so I gave him two pretty cloths, and he in return gave me two goats.

But when this little business had been transacted, to my surprise he said: "I have orders from Suwarora to be absent five days to doctor a sick relation of his, for there is no man in the country so skilled in medicines as myself; but whilst I am gone I will leave Karambule, my brother, to officiate in my stead about taking your hongo; but the work will not commence until to-morrow, for I must see Suwarora on the subject myself first." Irungu, a very fine-looking man of Uganda, now called on me and begged for beads.

He said his king had heard of our approach, and was most anxious to see us.