STRANGE CUSTOMS OF SAVAGE RULERS. 



287 



a sign of war, would cut off the victim's head with her sword, and 

 drink a deep draught of his blood. She had fifty or sixty male 

 favorites ; and while she always dressed herself as a man, they were 

 compelled to take the names and garments of women. If one of 

 them denied that he was a woman he was immediately killed. 



The queen, however, was charitable enough to let them belie 

 their words by their actions. They might have as many wives as 



THE AFRICAN PELICAN. 



they chose; but if a child was born, the husband was compelled to 

 kill it with his own hands. 



Shinga obtained great power over her subjects. She, however, 

 was wise in her generation, and, after she had fought the Portu- 

 guese, and been beaten by them, she concluded an humble peace, 

 and retained her kingdom in safety. 



At the present time the Congo kingdom has fallen from its 

 high estate. The people are lethargic, and altogether given over 

 to palm-wine and tobacco; their houses are huts of grass fibres or 

 palm leaves, and their clothing a piece of native cloth round the 



