MBANGO GIVES HIS DAUGHTER IN MARRIAGE. 149 
- Mbango would not be satisfied with one. He knew well 
that it required more than one in order to marry the 
daughter of a chief, and he wanted to get his bride as 
cheap as he could. Mbango looked very stern. How 
had he dared to come with one slave only? Did he 
think his daughter was good for nothing? 
Mbango was far more gentle. He took the other slave, 
and then said that one more would settle the bargain— 
then he could take his bride with him. 
The next day another slave came; the man swore that 
his uncle gave the man to him, though I learned after- 
ward that he had that third slave ready, but that he 
thought that two slaves would do. The share of Mbango 
for his daughter was two slaves, and that of the relatives 
of the mother of the girl was one slave; and Mbango, 
wishing to appear generous, gave them the goat. The 
relatives on the mother’s side of the girl tried to get two 
slaves out of the three; it was a hard palaver, and lasted 
several days, but Mbango was inexorable—he must have > 
two slaves for his share. | 
There was no ceremony. . Theman took his bride with 
_ him, and after a few days she was to return to her father. 
