146 AFRICAN CAMP FIRES. 



either completely or to leave only ornamental 

 tufts ; and are generally bound with a fine wire 

 fillet so tightly that the strands seem to sink into 

 the flesh. A piece of cotton cloth, dyed dark 

 umber red, is belted around the waist, and some- 

 times, but not always, another is thrown about 

 the shoulder. They go in for more hardware 

 than do the men. The entire arms and the 

 calves of the legs are encased in a sort of armour 

 made of quarter-inch wire wound closely, and a 

 collar of the same material stands out like a ruff 

 eight or ten inches around the neck. This is 

 wound on for good ; and must be worn day and 

 night and all the time, a cumbersome and tre- 

 mendously heavy burden. A dozen large loops 

 of coloured beads strung through the ears, and 

 various strings and necklaces of beads, cowrie 

 shells, and the like finish them out in all their 

 gorgeousness. They would sink like plummets. 

 Their job in life, besides lugging all this stuff about, 

 is to carry in firewood and forage. At any time 

 of the day long files of them can be seen bending 

 forward under their burdens. These they carry 

 on their backs by means of a strap across the 

 tops of their heads ; after the fashion of the 

 Canadian tump line. 



The next cut above the shenzi, or wild man, is 



