140 EXPEDITION INTO [Chap. XVII. 



carried a short thrusting-spear — a club of rhinoce- 

 ros horn, which is thrown with unerring precision — 

 and an elongated elliptical shield of ox-hide, with 

 the hair displayed. The size of this buckler is 

 regulated by the stature of the warrior, reaching 

 in all cases from the ground to his chin. A stick 

 variously decorated at the ends is secured on the 

 inner side, and two parallel strips of hide, differing 

 in colour from the shield, are so interlaced as to 

 traverse its whole length, imparting a striking effect 

 to the accoutred warrior. 



Excepting those individuals of distinction by whom 

 he was generally attended, no subjects, or "dogs," 

 as he termed them, ever passed the royal person 

 without bending their bodies aimost double, pre- 

 serving that obsequious posture several paces before 

 and after passing. The king seldom moved with- 

 out half a dozen magnates in his train, the heralds 

 howling at intervals, leaping about in imitation of 

 some wild beast, and loudly praising " the noble 

 elephant." The usual answer to an order was " Ya, 

 bo ba" — "yes, my father;" and no one quitting or 

 approaching the presence omitted to exclaim " Hai- 

 yahr Any attempt to have taken the king's portrait 

 openly would probably have been attended with 

 disastrous consequences, drawing being supposed to 

 be connected with witchcraft, but I seized the first 

 opportunity of giving his Majesty a sitting unob- 

 served. I exhibited several drawings of animals, 

 and was surprised to find him so quick of appre- 

 hension. He instantly recognized them all, repeat- 



