A SEMI-PRIVATE BATH. 429 



a belt of several undulating prairies, about six 

 miles in a direct line from the sea. 



King Bapi gave me a hearty welcome, and 

 I was soon established in the best house of the 

 place. The news of my arrival spreading through 

 the village, brought the whole population crowding 

 round my door and peeping through the chinks 

 between the bamboos, somewhat to my annoyance, 

 as I was indulging in a tub, a great luxury 

 after the work of the day in this climate. This 

 proceeding evidently created intense amusement 

 amongst the women, if I could so judge by the 

 roars of merriment I heard outside; but I was 

 too old a traveller to let any false modesty in- 

 terfere with my comfort, and, notwithstanding 

 that a score of eyes were watching my every 

 movement, I continued my ablutions in spite of 

 their chaff. 



As soon as I had completed my toilet, leaving 

 Tom Dick and the Kroomen in charge of the 

 gear in the house, I sallied out amongst them 

 and paid a visit to the King, to whom I made 

 a present of a musket, some cloth, brass rods, 



