410 ACROSS AFEICA. [Chap. 



October, tention did not trouble him greatly, for he was very comfort- 

 less, able, and well looked after by the natives, and did not appear 

 ~~" to have any desire to be taken out of pledge. 



At last the Bailunda had their food ready, but the chief of 

 Lungi having told them that the following day was an im- 

 portant festival, they refused to start, being anxious to share in 

 the customary bout of pombe-driuking. 



I went to witness the performance, and, under a huge banyan- 

 tree in the outer portion of the village, found singing, dancing, 

 and drinking proceeding in great force. The men and women 

 danced together, their suggestive motions being accompanied 

 by ribald songs, and the scene was one of licentiousness almost 

 be^^ond belief. 



The chief, who was comparatively sober, remained in an in- 

 ner compound shaded by large trees and barren bananas, like 

 those at Kagnombe's, One part of this compound reached to 

 the summit of an almost precipitous ascent, from which a 

 charming view was obtained. 



He informed me that, in consequence of having been in the 

 service of Gongalves, he had no desire to join in orgies such as 

 the one I had witnessed ; but added that he was powerless to 

 prevent them, for if the people were deprived of their drink 

 and dancing, they would rebel, and murder their rulers. 



I had much trouble on leaving here, owing to many of my 

 people having rheumatism and swollen limbs, caused by the wet 

 and cold. Poor little Jacko, and a man named Yacooti, were 

 unable to walk, and it was necessary to contrive litters for car- 

 rying them. 



Almost directly after starting, we came upon rocky hills, 

 with brawling burns rushing along their rugged courses, and 

 here and there falls from twenty to thirty feet in height, the 

 crystal water sparkling in the sunlight as it dashed from crag 

 to crag. Large tree-ferns grew on the banks, and among the 

 bushes were myrtle, jasmine, and other flowering shrubs, while 

 a variety of beautiful ferns simiUir to maiden-hair, and other 

 delicate kinds, flourished in the damp crevices of the rocks. 



As we went forward tlie scenery increased in beauty, and at 

 last I was constrained to halt, and surrender myself to the en- 

 joyment of the view which lay before me. 



