XXVI.] 



THE BITER BIT." 



345 



At the mention of Kasongo's name there was immediatelj 

 much lively pantomimic action as of cutting off ears, noses, and 

 hands, and all declared that on his approach they would secrete 



June, 

 1875. 



themselves in the jungle. Lunga Mandi or a deputy takes the 

 customary tribute to him periodically, to avoid the catastrophe 

 of a visit, and returning in safety is looked upon as especial 

 good-fortune. 



Soon after we had settled down in camp, Lunga Mandi called 

 on us. He was very old, but, except being half blind from age, 

 he showed no signs of decay, but walked with a step as light 

 and springy as any of the young men by whom he was sur- 

 rounded. In the time of Kasongo's grandfather he was chief 

 of this district, and said that Kasongo surpassed all his prede- 

 cessors in cruelty and barbarism. He remarked that lie was 

 certain I was a very good man, for he had heard that I allowed 

 my people neither to steal nor to make slaves, but made them 

 pay for their provisions. 



Alvez now experienced the unpleasant situation of " the biter 

 bit," for he discovered that a nephew whom he had left at this 

 place in charge of three bags of beads, intended to purchase 

 food on the return journey, had appropriated most of them. 

 Loud and bitter were his lamentations, and deep his curses, 

 about these ^'•Tre saccos — j9tfr gustare cominhor But I was 

 rather rejoiced on hearing that, in consequence of this most im- 



