This was a good time to make the request for the use of the boats to go to the southern end of the lake. The Doctor was not slow to see his opportunity, and at once propounded the question.
As had been expected, M'tesa was not prepared to give an answer, but he promised to do so on the following morning. Then he rose from his seat, and the audience was over.
The next morning there was a great assemblage in front of the palace, and an unusual tooting of horns and pounding of drums. It was evident that the reception at court would be of no ordinary character. In due time a messenger came to announce that the king was ready for the visit of his American friends, and they went at once to court.
As they entered the audience-hall they saw a group of men whose dress showed that they were not people of Ugunda. Abdul whispered that they were from the south; but there was no time for farther explanation, as the business of the visit was opened at once by the king.
"You want boats to go to the end of the N'yanza?" said his majesty.
The Doctor answered that such was his wish.
"How many boats do you want?" was the next royal interrogatory.
The Doctor thought that two or three boats, in addition to the ten which carried him to Ripon Falls, would be quite sufficient.
"Well," answered the king, "we have decided. You shall have the boats; but you must know it is the first time this request was ever granted."
Frank thought it was probably the first time the request had ever been made, and therefore the king's assertion was not likely to be at variance with the truth.