254 THE MAECH THROUGH APOXO-LAND. Chap. XIIL 



a man he had become to possess such utensils. When 

 he came to borrow them, he said, " Nchiengain must 

 eat off a plate, and must cook his food with the 

 Oguizi's kettle ; so that tlie people may know that 

 Nchiengain is his friend." I had quite forgotten the 

 loan, and felt pleased at this display of the old man's 

 honesty. He gave us all his blessing as he started, 

 and shouted to me, " I have done all I can for you ! 

 I have not slighted you ! my good wishes go with 

 you." 



As I am about to leave the Apono country, I must 

 say here a few words about this tribe of negroes. 

 They are no doubt a branch of the great Ashira 

 nation, like the Ashira Kamba, the Ashira Ngozai, 

 and the Otando, all of whom, as well as the Aponos, 

 speak the Ashira language. The Ashangos also 

 speak the Ashira language, although they are divided 

 from the Aponos by the Ishogo, who speak an 

 entirely different language. But the Aponos are 

 distinguished from all the other branches of the 

 Ashira nation by their sprightliness of character ; 

 and they are clean and well-looking. Their villages 

 are larger, better arranged, and prettier than those of 

 the Otando and Ashira Ngozai. Each house is built 

 separate from its neighbours, and they attend to 

 cleanliness in their domestic arrangements. Their 

 country is an undulating plain, varied with open 

 grassy places covered with a pebbly soil, and rich 

 and extensive patches of woodland well adapted for 

 agriculture, in which they make their plantations. 

 I cannot make an estimate of the total population 



