MYTHOLOGY RELIGION POLYGAMY. 479 



a dead man. And, to give effect to my threat, 1 added, with 

 a significant look at the gun, that they well knew I was not 

 much in the habit of missing my mark. Conceiving that I 

 was in earnest, they thought better of the matter, and in a 

 few seconds I had half a dozen of them at my feet, begging 

 I would spare their lives, and promising that if I would not 

 mention the circumstance to their paramount chief, Lecho- 

 letebe, they would forthwith restore the missing articles. 



Being but too glad to recover my property on such easy 

 terms, I declared myself satisfied, warning them, however, 

 of the consequences, of any future attempt on their part to 

 steal, as I should certainly not again trouble myself about 

 inquiring who was the thief, but would simply shoot the first 

 man I came across. This had the desired effect ; for they 

 not only left my property untouched for the future, but treated 

 me with far more civility than they had hitherto manifested. 



The men, excepting when hunting and fishing, in which 

 pursuits they show great activity, usually lead a very idle 

 life at home. All the drudgery falls on the women, who 

 till the ground, reap, and afterward cleanse and grind the 

 corn, &c. 



Respecting their mythology and religion I am so much in 

 the dark that it would not be worth while to communicate 

 to the reader the little I know. It is always difficult to ob- 

 tain information on these subjects from savages; and, be- 

 sides, it requires both time and a knowledge of their lan- 

 guage. This applies also, though not to as great extent, to 

 their superstitious notions, which are numerous, and, as may 

 well be supposed, often ridiculous. 



Polygamy prevails among the Bayeye; and one not un- 

 frequently finds the more wealthy consoling themselves with 

 half a dozen wives. 



They live in large round huts, covered with matting made 

 of rushes, and constructed in the same manner as those of 

 the Namaquas. 



