428 Mr. Bain's Visit, fyc. 



contrast to that of his face; on his wrists he wore a great num- 

 ber of copper bracelets, of beautiful workmanship, and on his 

 legs, just below his knees, similar rings, some of which he told 

 us he had made himself; round his ankles were four rows of 

 virgin gold*, which he said he had taken from a Mantatee 

 chief, whom he had killed in battle. 



After our first salutation was over, which consisted in a 

 mutual pulling of nosesf, he squatted down by our fire, and 

 entered into conversation with us in the most friendly manner. 

 He seemed surprised when we told him that we had been three 

 moons on our journey to his country, and was rather incredu- 

 lous on being informed of the cause of" such rich captains," as 

 he was pleased to call us, visiting such poor people as they 

 were, at such a distance from our homes, more especially, con- 

 sidering the frightful tales which he was aware his enemies had 

 told us of him. He entertained us with an account of some of 

 his late battles with the Mantatees, whom he assured us were 

 still in his neighbourhood, and were the greatest robbers upon 

 earth; throwing out, at the same time, some hints that he ex- 

 pected our assistance against them. We thanked him for the 

 attention he had shewn us, and presented him with a roll of 

 tobacco, a quantity of different colored beads, a knife, a tinder- 

 box, and a looking glass, with all of which he seemed highly 

 delighted. We also gave his brothers some tobacco and beads, 

 and they all pulled our noses in an ecstasy of friendship and 

 good humour. After a deal of chit-chat, his majesty went 

 home about midnight, leaving us a guard, under two captains, 

 in charge of our wagons. 



(To be continued.) 



* That was the first and the only time that I have ever met with that 

 precious metal among the savages of Southern Africa. 



f The existence of this singular custom was ridiculed by some ignorant 

 uits of the S. A. Chronicle on the publication "of the first sketch of my 

 travels, yet, howsoever ludicrous it may appear, it is certainly not more 

 strange than the manner of salutation at New Zealand, and even many other 

 parts of this vast continent. Although this was the only place I ever ob- 

 served it, I have it on the authority of the Rev. Mr. Archbell, that the same 

 custom prevails in Great Namaqualand, and at Walvisch Bay ; and it is 

 considered the greatest mark of friendship when a native requests the honor 

 of pulling your nose ! 



