44 Mr. Morgans Account of the Amahosac, 



to communicate with the nose of the bellows and to permit the 

 wiud to act on the fire passes through it. The man who uses 

 these machines (for there two in use at a time) pulls one of the 

 skins out, at the same time pressing the other towards the bank : 

 in the act of extending it, he separates the thumb and finders, 

 thus opening the orifice of the skins, which then become full of 

 air. He then shuts his hand that closes it, and pressing the 

 skin to the bank the confined air rushes out through the horn — 

 by thus alternately acting nearly a constant stream of air is 

 supplied to the fire. 



The method of calling the people together, or of declaring 

 the will of the chief, is by the voice. Several persons who are 

 constantly (unless thus employed) about the person of the chief 

 are sent different ways — these keeping the high grounds run 

 along shouting with a loud voice, calling the attention of the 

 country through which they pass. On hearing the voice, the 

 heads of the kraals dispatch messengers who run and meet thera 

 at different points of their journey, and receive in a few words 

 the nature of the business or duty that is required. One 

 messenger goes from the residence of the king' to that of a 

 principal chief, promulgating the news as he goes along. He is 

 here relie\ ed by another who in like manner disperses the intelli- 

 gence — and thus in a comparatively short time, it is made known 

 over all the land. Most private intelligence is conveyed in the 

 same manner, only the messenger proceeds on his journey with- 

 out noise, and delivers the message only to the person who i§ 

 appointed to receive it. 



The meetings of the people are always attended with dancing. 

 "When a council is summoned the different members appear with 

 a number of their followers, and while these latter are dancing 

 and partaking of the flesh that is provided by the chief at whose 

 kraal the assembly is held, their chiefs, squatted on the ground 

 in front of the dancers, gravely smoking their pipes or partaking 

 of the feast, state facts, dispute, contest the particulars, and 

 debate upon the merits and demerits of the cause before them. 

 Some occasionally will lay down and sleep, or join in the dance. 

 According to the importance of the subject so is the length of 

 the council. Sometimes it will last for several days, during 

 which the feasting and dancing are continued with very little 

 intermission. Even the night, if the moon afford her lit;ht, is a 

 witness to the uncouth gestures that these people exhibit in this 

 amusement. 



On the celebration of the marriage contract the dancing and 

 feasting are kept up with great spirit. The people having 

 assembled together at the kraal of the bridegroom, they begin 

 the dance by forming themselves into several ranks, about 30 

 or 40 in each, and lightly holding each other's arms with the 



