2i6 AVOYAGETO 



'778- which wc obfcrved, were of an exceedingly rude kind. One 



Februajy. 



of them does not produce a melody exceeding that of a 

 child's rattle. It confifts of what may be called a conic cap 

 inverted, but fcarcely hollowed at the bafe above a foot 

 high, made of a coarfe, fedge-like plant ; the upper part of 

 which, and the edges, are ornamented with beautiful red 

 feathers ; and to the point, or lower part, is fixed a gourd- 

 fliell, larger than the fift. Into this is put fomething to 

 rattle ; which is done by holding the inftrument by the 

 fmall part, and fhaking, or rather moving it, from place to 

 place briflily, either to different fides, or backward and for- 

 ward, juft before the face, ftriking the breafl: with the other 

 hand at the fame time*. The other mufical infirumcnt (if 

 either of them deferve that name) was a hollow vcficl of 

 wood, like a platter, combined with the ufe of two flicks, 

 on which one of our gentlemen faw a man performing. 

 He held one of the (ticks, about two feet long, as we do n. 

 fiddle, with one hand, and flruck it with die other, which 

 was fmaller, and refembled a drum-flick, in a quicker or 

 llov/cr meafure ; at the fame time beating with his foot 

 upon the hollow vcffcl, that lay inverted upon the ground, 

 and thus producing a tune, that was by no means difagree- 

 abie. This mufic was accompanied by the vocal perform- 

 ance of fomc women, whofc fong had a pleafing and lender 

 effedt. 



We obferved great numbers of fmall poliflied rods, about 

 four or five feet long, fomevvhat thicker than the rammer 

 of a mufquet, with a tuft of long, white dog's hair fixed on 

 the fmall end. Thcfe arc, probably, ufed in their diver- 

 fions. Wc faw a pcrfon take one of them in his hand, and, 



* Sec Plate, N= LXVU. 



6 holding 



