( 145 ) 



their attentions. To preach morality under present circumstances, 

 would have been a mere waste of breath, so I accepted their chaff 

 all in good part; though no doubt the phlegmatic disposition 

 I evinced, lowered me considerably in their estimation ; for their 

 uncivilized life teaches them to disbelieve in celibacy and con- 

 tinence, and in early life, even to condemn the practice as unnatu- 

 ral ; yet, strange to say, a breach of the YII. commandment in their 

 sight, is an unpardonable offence and punishable by death.* Poly- 

 andry is unknown among them, and polygamy rare. It is difficult 

 to describe how utterly devoid these people are, of all sense of 

 modesty or even decency, responding to the cravings of nature 

 regardless of time, place, or seclusion. 



251. Before turning in, the Tswabwa wanted to know if I would 

 stand by him in case of an attack to night; and, after being assured 

 that I would, he retired to the family apartment, which is partition- 

 ed off from the guest-room by a mat walling. It was now for the 

 first time I became aware of the absurd objection these people 

 have, to strangers leaving a house by any other door than that by 

 which they enter. Having occasion to go outside, I proceeded 

 by the back-door, but I was stopped by a tipsy Kakhyen who drew 

 his sword, and refused to let me pass ; the mistake was soon 

 explained ; but so spasmodic and unexpected was the action of the 

 man, that I am only surprised I did not shoot the fellow in self- 

 defence. Towards morning, a band of Kakhyens arrived and estab- 

 lished themselves at the lower end of the apartment we occupied. 

 They kindled a fire and commenced smoking opium. Evidently from 

 their boisterous talk and excited state, they were under the influence 

 of liquor. 



252. Thursday, 22nd January 1874. — Bitterly cold, north-easterly 

 wind. Thermometer 40°. My people looked the picture of miseiy, 

 and appeared quite torpid. All was silent till sunrise, when the women 

 commenced to turn out and busy themselves with their domestic 

 duties. The old women were engaged feeding the pigs on boiled 

 paddy bran, and tending to the wants of the cattle generally ; 

 while the young girls were occupied fetching water from a spring 

 some fifty feet below. It is surprising to see the loads they can 

 carry. I noticed one girl climbing a steep slope with no less than 

 seven bamboos of water, each two feet long and five inches in diame- 

 ter : they were supported on the back by a shoulder strap, and 

 another band that passed round the forehead on which a portion of 



* Yan Sing alias Johnson suggests that this law might be extended to more civilized countries 

 with a good effect. He even goes still further, and would have a Vehme Secret Society ; — a body, I 

 believe, who exclusively applied itself to the preservation of female purity, and the punishment of 

 incontinence, especiallv that of unmarried girls. 



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