THE PANBOH AND THE PENKNIFE 299 



the next five minutes. The sight of the works behind, 

 when the case was opened, struck them dumb. It was 

 impossible to explain the use of the watch. An attempt 

 was made for the Panboh's benefit, but given up in 

 despair. Anparh's linguistic qualifications as interpreter 

 were not equal to the task, and I must confess neither 

 were mine. I then produced my pocket-knife, the usual 

 thumb-nail-splitting instrument with all the complications 

 complete, and an electro - plated handle. It was not 

 necessary to explain the uses of this to the Panbuh : his 

 grave stare of admiration told its own tale. The uses of 

 all the various instruments in the knife were explained to 

 him, and, by way of practical illustration, I made Yakub 

 unscrew and screw in again one of the screws in the sole 

 of my boot — an operation which threw the company into 

 ecstasies, and roused in even the stolid Panbuh an agitation 

 which he vainly strove to suppress. The knife had to be 

 placed in his hand for an examination, which took several 

 minutes. He returned it with longing eyes, and at lengtli 

 asked Anparh how much I would take for it ! My answer 

 was prompt — permission to visit the villages and country 

 below ! That was too big a price : the Panbuh shook his 

 head and sighed. 



Tea was now ready. A plateful of sugar and a spoon 

 were placed before the Panboh, and out came the wooden 

 cups. Sugared tea went round several times, and was 

 approved. A few Huntley and Palmer's biscuits were 

 then handed to the l'anb(')h iu a i)late: he looked askance 

 at them at first, but was persuaded to taste one ; he put 

 a bit in his tea, tasted, and approved, lie called them 

 " farfari." He then broke off tiny bits, and each man re- 

 ceived a piece about half the size of my little finger-nail. 

 It is quite remarkable the equality that obtains among 

 these people : the Panboh was treated as an equal by all, 



