XXVII.] 



A MOURNFUL PROCESSION. 



357 



A boy about ten years of age tlien approacbed me, and I gave 

 bim a few beads and a little tobacco ; and on observing tbat no 

 injury befell tbe youngster, otber people surrounded me with 

 mucb laugbing and staring, and a good-natured old woman even 

 consented to sell me a fowl. 



While we were engaged in a lively conversation — by signs — 

 Alvez's caravan ajjpeared, and tbe natives immediately bolted 

 into tbe village and closed tbe entrances. 



July, 

 18V5. 



"'^^ 



SLAVE-GANG. 



The place I had chosen for my camp was near the path, and 

 the whole of the caravan passed on in front, the mournful pro- 

 cession lasting for more than two hours. Women and children, 

 foot -sore and overburdened, were urged on unremittingly by 

 their barbarous masters ; and even when they reached their 

 camp, it was no haven of rest for the poor creatures. They 

 were compelled to fetch water, cook, build huts, and collect fire- 

 wood for those who owned them, and were comparatively fa- 

 vored if they had contrived some sort of shelter for themselves 

 before night set in. 



The loss of labor entailed by working gangs of slaves tied to- 

 gether is monstrous ; for if one pot of water is wanted, twenty 

 people are obliged to fetch it from the stream, and for one 

 bundle of grass to thatch a hut the whole string must be em- 

 ployed. On the road, too, if one of a gang requires to halt, the 



