INDUCE THEM TO GET UP A NIGHT DANCE. 811 



or dull thirsty march in the hot sun with their song's^ 

 jokes, and mimicry. 



One evening- I was asked to join a part}^ made up 

 for the purpose of witnessing- a native dance. Many 

 strang-e blacks were then encamped on the marg'in of 

 the beach^ and altog-ether about 150 people belong-ing- 

 to foiu* or five tribes had collected. Not being- 

 apprised of our coming- they shewed much surprise 

 and suspicion at our landing- after dark^ but^ with 

 some trouble^ a number Avere induced by the pro- 

 mise of a quantity of biscuit to g-et up a dance round 

 a laro-e fire on the sand to the music of a drum 

 which we had taken with us to announce our ap- 

 proach. The dance after all was a very poor affair, — 

 none of the performers were painted and decorated, 

 there was little scenic effect, and they seemed g-lad 

 when it was over. The bag' containing- the pro- 

 mised biscuit was most injudiciously handed over to 

 an old Avoman named Baki, or '^ qiieena wo man 

 Bakiy^ as some one had taug-lit her to call herself], 

 for distribution among' the party. She doled out a 

 few handfuls to some Avomen and children Avho had 

 not been at all concerned in the matter, and would 

 have marched off' Avith the remainder had she not been 

 prevented. The appointment of a Avoman to this 

 office o-ive p'reat off^ence to the men Avho had been 

 dancino', — Avliile not one amono- them Avould have 

 scrupled forcibly to deprive her of the Avhole on the 

 very first opportunity, yet every man there scorned 

 the idea of having- to ash a woman for anything',— 



