82 STAET FOR THE INTERIOR. Chap. IV. 



the migratory and warlike habits which distinguish 

 their brethren, chiefly through the civihzing in- 

 fluences of trade. Their settlement in one of the 

 richest districts of the river, where ebony abounded 

 in the forests, almost necessitated their becoming 

 traders, and they now collect large quantities of 

 this valuable wood, which is getting scarce here. 

 They have adhered loyally to the treaties made 

 many years ago with Quengueza, who allows them 

 to trade on the river on condition that they abstain 

 from war. Their women have, besides, become wives 

 of the Commi in many cases. One of the privileges 

 of Quengueza, attached to his acknowledged sove- 

 reignty, is the choice of the wives of the Bakalai 

 chiefs whenever he sleeps at a village. He has the 

 same right over the Ashira ; the chief is obliged to 

 give up even his konde, or head wife, if Quengueza 

 takes a fancy to her, and his host considers it a great 

 honour so to provide for the entertainment of his 

 liege lord. 



When the porters arrived, and, on the eve of 

 our departure into new countries, old Quengueza 

 made a speech to my men. " You are going into 

 the bush," said he ; " you will find there no one of 

 your tribe ; look up to Chaillie as your chief, and 

 obey him. Now, listen to what I say. You will 

 visit many strange tribes. If you see on the road, 

 or in the street of a village, a fine bunch of plantains 

 with ground-nuts lying by its side, do not touch 

 them, leave the village at once ; this is a tricky 

 village, for the people are on the watch to see what 

 you do with them. If the people of any village tell 



