AFRICAN CAMP FIRES 



of castor oil and a bright red colouring earth. This 

 is wiped away evenly all around the face, about two 

 inches below the hair, to leave a broad, bandlike, 

 glistening effect around the entire head. The ears 

 are most marvellous. From early youth the lobes 

 have been stretched, until at last they have become 

 like two long elastic loops, hanging down upon the 

 shoulders, and capable of accommodating anything 

 up to and including a tomato can. When in fatigue 

 uniform these loops are caught up over the tops of the 

 ears; but on dress parade they accommodate almost 

 anything considered ornamental. I have seen a 

 row of safety pins clasped in them or a number of 

 curtain rings; or a marmalade jar, or the glittering 

 cover of a tobacco tin. The edges of the ears, all 

 around to the top, are pierced. Then the inser- 

 tion of a row of long, white, wooden skewers gives 

 one a peculiarly porcupinish look; or a row of little 

 brass danglers hints of wealth. Having thus 

 finished off his head, your savage clasps around his 

 neck various strings of beads; or collars of iron or 

 copper wire, polished to the point of glitter; puts on 

 a half dozen armlets and leglets of the same; ties on a 

 narrow bead belt in which is thrust a short sword; 

 annoints himself all over with reddened castor oil 

 until he glistens and shines in the sun; rubs his legs 

 with white clay and traces patterns therein; seizes 



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