MEN OF THE TREES 



had evolved a social system which he regarded as being 

 suited to his requirements. From what I have gathered in 

 the course of conversation with many of the chiefs and 

 elders, they have a sense of being hustled. They accept 

 the idea that a change in the order of their life must 

 come about, but at the same time they are reluctant to 

 surrender everything connected with the past at once, 

 and cling tenaciously to many old ideas. The popular 

 attitude of the thinking men in the tribe was vividly 

 brought before me on one occasion when I had invited 

 a missionary to address a meeting of elders at my camp. 

 It was their custom on certain days to come and con- 

 sult me regarding current affairs concerning the wel- 

 fare of their people. Thus they came together this Sun- 

 day morning in the same spirit, prepared to consider 

 seriously whatever matters were brought before them. 

 In a few words I introduced the missionary, telling 

 them that he had come to bring a good message for 

 them all. The missionary, who could speak the local dia- 

 lect fluently, then addressed his audience for about 

 twenty minutes, ending up with an earnest appeal to 

 them to send their sons and daughters to the Mission 

 School. Immediately he had finished speaking, the eldest 

 of the chiefs rose to his feet and said most courteously, 

 "We thank you for your good words to which we have 

 listened carefully. If you will excuse us we should like 

 to withdraw and go into council on these very impor- 

 tant matters." So saying, he bowed low in salute, and 

 walked out, followed by the whole gathering. In a few 



86 



