304 THROUGH UNKNOWN AFRICAN COUNTRIES. 
either made of leather or basket work, lke those at Rusia. 
About one third of the men are circumcised. 
“ They are very handsome, about five feet seven inches 
tall, well proportioned, dark brown or black in color, and 
with bright, intelligent features. I succeeded in getting 
speech with half a dozen warriors through Lagoisi, who 
knew a few words of the Kére language, and pretended 
that I simply wished to hunt elephants in their country. 
They wondered why we should have come, if not to make 
war. I spoke about ivory, and they seemed to think this 
some excuse for our journey; but the shauri was long and 
tedious, the war-like youths crowding around us and dan- 
cing the whole time, and making our position seem very 
serious for us. 
“The older men had to force back the younger ones 
from attacking us several times. There was much noise 
and show, but before the day closed we received promises 
that the chiefs would come very early in the morning with 
a sheep of peace. I should have liked to avoid any 
delay in the morning, but it would not have been good 
policy to leave without first killing and cooking the sheep, 
if we wished to avoid war and obtain a guide. I urged the 
Kére to come early, but they did not like the idea of our 
moving so fast, —not unnaturally, as natives never move 
fast except in war. 
“ Fuly 26. All night we kept up a continual noise 
to show we were awake, and at the first sign of 
day we were glad to see the chiefs appear with the 
sheep. Long shauris. Much patience needed. At eight 
o'clock the sheep had finally been killed, and its fat and 
liver cooked and distributed. One guide was also provided, 
and the chiefs promised us a second as we passed the 
villages. The donkeys were packed, and I felt sure of a 
start. All rose and marched,—the chiefs in front; but 
