CHAPTER VII 



HARTEBEESTE AND WATER-BUCK 



During our stay among the Shinzis I was very much 

 interested in watching the people make grass ropes and 

 wicker baskets in which they catch fish. They are made 

 like the safety ink bottles, or the eel-pots familiar on our 

 English rivers, and are about four feet in length, and two 

 feet in diameter ; they are placed in the river and ex- 

 amined generally before sunset. 



Another fish-trap consists of a long tapering basket 

 shaped like a cigar with the end cut off, about four feet 

 long and ten inches in diameter. 



Just before sundown on the first night, I was resting 

 in my hut enjoying a quiet pipe, when the stillness of the 

 evening was suddenly broken by the sounds of music. 

 On going outside I saw two fellows sitting with legs 

 crossed close by the door playing for all they were worth, 

 a little way off was Matakanga dancing like a madman. 

 His threadbare coat had drifted over his shoulders. 

 Two of the carriers, with sticks in their right hands, were 

 shuffling their feet and stamping, while an admiring crowd 

 of carriers and villagers stood around clapping and yelling 

 with delight. It was not a bad amusement for them, but 

 volumes of dust poured into my hut and covered every- 

 thing. Picking up a stick I walked towards them, 

 intending to put a stop to the performance ; but before 

 I could get within reach they all rushed off into the grass. 

 Except the cook and headman, not a soul could be seen ; 



72 



