Phil Robinson

“ And first of all they began to dress in bright colors, and then they killed the cattle for food, until at last Kintu was the only man in all his kingdom who was dressed in spotless white, and who had never shed blood. And the wickedness increased; for, having killed animals, they began to fight among themselves, and at last one day a man of Uganda, having got drunk with palm wine, killed one of his tribe with a spear. And the people rose up with a cry, and every man took his spear in his hand, and the whole land of Uganda was in an uproar, the people killing one another. ”

“ He was different from all the kings that had preceded him, for he robed himself in white, and no blood might be shed within a mile’s distance of his palace, and no man who had killed an animal might come within a spear’s throw of his person. He was kind to all, to animals and to men alike, and they called him in Uganda the Good Father. He had given up the search for Kintu, for he knew it was hopeless ”

“ And lo! as she spoke, from the mtama crop the hyena cried for the third time, — for the day was breaking, — and Ma’anda’s mother said, “Get ready quickly, and take your spear, for I can hear the peasant coming, and he has strange news to tell you, my son.” Ma’anda could hear nothing; yet he went away to get ready to receive the messenger. But at the door he met the Katekiro, the chief officer of his household, who said, “There is a madman without, who says he has news for the king. He is only a peasant, but will not go away, for he says that the king must hear his news.” ”