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sake, to be polluted by a filthy Kakhyen ! bah ! the idea was far 

 more disgusting than elephant stew — the sacrifice, however, had to 

 be made, and I had to resume my smoke ; but, after all, the idea 

 was worse than the reality, and I dare say had I not witnessed the 

 operation, I should have been none the wiser. 



" Tell me where is fancy bred, 

 Or in the heart, or in the head ? 

 How begot, how nourished ? 

 It is engender'd in the eye, 

 With gazing fed ; and Fancy dies 

 In the cradle where it lies." 



256. The Tswabwa having accomplished his desire, which result- 

 ed in a sneezing fit, he handed on the pipe to his Pomine, who tried 

 the same experiment with similar results, and I was once more 

 possessor of my old friend. The cavendish was condemned by 

 both parties, as bitter and suffocating. 



257. With the distribution of presents, my visit at Kowkar was 

 brought to an end. Some little judgment had to be exercised in this 

 matter, or jealousy and ill-feeling would have resulted. It was 

 necessary that the gifts be divided into three classes, and that each 

 class should correspond not merely in quality and value, but even 

 in size and colour. The best allotment falls to the Tswabwa and 

 his family, the next in quality the JPomine and his family are 

 entitled to, and the remainder is equally shared among the people 

 of the village. I noticed the party that arrived early this morn- 

 ing were not introduced as being entitled to consideration, and on 

 asking the reason, I was told that they were merely a band of high- 

 land bandits, who had rested here on their way from an engage- 

 ment with a neighbouring tribe : they had been defeated, five of 

 their party killed, and three of those present wounded, two in the 

 arms, and one in the thigh. Finding I was willing to give some 

 small return for any curiosity, I was deluged with all sorts of 

 rubbish, among other things produced was the seed of a trapa 

 bicornis that they endeavoured to palm off on me as the horns of a 

 small deer brought from China. I received a cordial farewell, and 

 just before leaving, the Tswabwa presented me with sword, and a 

 complete suit of male and female attire, for which he refused to 

 accept any equivalent ; he wished me good speed, and expressed 

 himself my humble servant, and one who would at all times be 

 ready to fight for me or assist me through to China if needed. 

 The women expressed their appreciation of my visit, by presents 

 of flowers, hard-boiled eggs, and some of the sweet cake I had 

 witnessed them making in the morning. I invited the whole of this 

 village to a return party at Talo on the 25th instant. 



