Chap. XV.] SOUTHERN AFRICA. 121 



small-pox ; and excepting a necklace of lions' 

 claws, three inflated gall-bladders on his pate, and 

 a goodly coat of grease upon his hide, was perfectly 

 naked. I saw nothing remarkable about any of the 

 others. They all carried snuff-boxes stuck in their 

 ears ; a collection of skin streamers, like the tails of 

 a lady's boa, attached to a thin waist-cord, being 

 tlie nearest approach to an habiliment amongst 

 them. All their heads were shaven, sufficient hair 

 only being left to attach the issigoko, which is com- 

 posed of sinews sewn to the hair, and blackened with 

 grease. 



Shortly after the oxen were unyoked, and the 

 tent erected, Mohanycom, the king's page, came 

 forth from the kraal bearing the congratulations of 

 his Majesty. He, too, was unincumbered with 

 raiment of any sort ; but wore a red feather from 

 the long- tailed finch in his hair, which, unlike that 

 of the rest, was unshorn, and destitute of the iss/ooko. 

 The dimensions of his mouth were calculated to 

 excite the astonishment of every beholder, that 

 feature literally extending from ear to ear. An 

 inspection of our property then took place. Not a 

 word was spoken ; neither did any of the party 

 betray the smallest symptom either of surprise or 

 even of gratification. An imperturbable gravity 

 pervaded the countenance of every one, and as soon 

 as they had sufficiently scrutinized, they retired to 

 report to the chieftain the result of their observations. 



It was some hours before we could obtain any 

 breakfast, the nearest water being three miles from 



G 



