260 A SURLY CHIEF. 



Accordine^h' Moloka and Marimba's men went and 

 reported my arrival. Contoonda, who was in a terri- 

 ble fright, came at once, but would not approach 

 nearer than within twenty yards of me. He was a tall 

 man, with a very bad cast of countenance. His ears 

 were pierced with large holes, an antelope horn being 

 thrust through each, which gave him a most ridiculous 

 appearance. Giving him a small bit of calico and a 

 few beads, to try and make friends with him, I 

 asked him to allow me to spend the remainder of the 

 day there, and sleep during the night in his village. 

 This he would not hear of, saying that neither he nor 

 his people had ever seen a white man before, and 

 that if he were to allow me into the village all his 

 tribe would be frightened and run away ! How- 

 ever, after a long conversation, during which my men 

 informed him of my recent visits to Cotondway and 

 Marimba, he said I might remain if I chose. I then 

 walked through the village. The people, who were all 

 employed spinning and weaving cotton, were alarmed 

 at my appearance, which they showed by getting up 

 and running into their houses when I approached. 



The chief, who was very surly, again changed his 

 mind, and said he would not allow me to remain. 

 He gave me no present, and Moloka, thinking he was 

 " no good," said it would be better for me to go on 

 further, As Marimba's porters begged to be allowed 

 to return, I informed Contoonda that I wanted him 

 to provide me with fresh men in their places. He 

 refused this request, saying " the boys " would be 

 all afraid to go ; but upon my paying well my late 

 porters in his and his people's presence, and tell- 



