148 WILD LIFE UNDER THE EQUATOR. 
to the person whom you wish to address. He seems as- 
tonished that a man is bold enough to ask his beautiful 
daughter in marriage. He sings her praises, generally 
pockets the presents, and says he will think about it. 
After this palaver the relations on the mother’s and 
the father’s side are presented with the amount for which 
the girl is sold; and when the final agreement has been 
made, the spoils are divided among the two families. 
This is the way girls are given in marriage in this part 
of the world. 
Mbango had a beautiful girl, whom he seemed to love 
dearly, and she was not betrothed. One day a fellow 
came from a neighboring village. He had with him a 
slave to give to Mbango, several jars of palm wine, a goat, 
some native tobacco coming from a country of the interior, 
ealled Ashira, and he putall these things at the feet of 
Mbango, who was seated on a stool and ready to hear him. 
After having talked a long time, he presented his slave, 
his goat, and all the presents he had brought with him to 
the King, and asked his daughter in marriage. : 
Old Mbango got up and pretended to be in a furious 
rage, but it wasall sham; he kicked and broke the jars of 
palm wine. Howcould aman come and presume to offer 
him only one slave for his daughter, she who was sought 
after by so many suitors? He could not believe his ears; 
and Mbango went roaming about, brandishing his cane. 
In the mean time the poor fellow had fled in dismay, 
leaving his slave, his goat, and all his presents behind. 
Mbango’s pretended anger was a humbug. He want- 
ed more presents, and appeared highly indignant. So the 
next day, the suitor came back, and brought with him an- 
other slave he had kept in reserve, guessing that King 
