THE LAST FRONTIER 



hut tax, money was some good. We had, however, 

 very good luck with bright blankets and cotton 

 cloth. Our beads did not happen here to be in 

 fashion. Probably three months earlier or later we 

 might have done better with them. The feminine 

 mind here differs in no basic essential from that of 

 civilization. Fashions change as rapidly, as often 

 and as completely in the jungle as in Paris. The 

 trader who brings blue beads when blue beads have 

 "gone out" might just as well have stayed at home. 

 We bought a number of the pretty "marquise" 

 rings for four cents apiece (our money), some war 

 clubs or rungas for the same, several spears, armlets, 

 stools and the like. Billy thought one of the short, 

 soft skin cloaks embroidered with steel beads might 

 be nice to hang on the wall. We offered a youth two 

 rupees for one. This must have been a high price, 

 for every man in hearing of the words snatched off 

 his cloak and rushed forward holding it out. As 

 that reduced his costume to a few knick-knacks, Billy 

 retired from the busy mart until we could arrange 

 matters. 



We dined with Home. His official residence was 

 most interesting. The main room was very high 

 to beams and a grass-thatched roof, with a well- 

 brushed earth floor covered with mats. It contained 

 comfortable furniture, a small library, a good phono- 



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