262 PRIMITIVE PATERNITY 



stage in the development of the custom. They live 

 in hamlets the inhabitants of which are usually related 

 to one another, and often at odds with the inhabitants 

 of adjacent hamlets. But sometimes these quarrels 

 are made up and a blood-covenant is entered into, 

 after which no intermarriage can take place. 1 



The alien position of the father with regard to his 

 children, and consequently the small account taken of 

 him, has never been more vividly illustrated than by 

 Miss Kingsley. She relates that on landing in French 

 Congo she went to comply with the tiresome ad- 

 ministrative regulations by reporting herself and 

 obtaining a permit to reside in the colony. While 

 she was waiting in the office of the Directeur def 

 Administration a black man was shown in. " He is 

 clad in a blue serge coat, from underneath which float 

 over a pair of blue canvas trousers the tails of a 

 flannel shirt, and on his feet are a pair of ammunition 

 boots that fairly hobble him. His name, the interpreter 

 says, is Joseph. 'Who is your father?' says the 

 official. Clerk interprets into trade English. ' Fader ? ' 

 says Joseph. ' Yes, fader,' says the interpreter. ' My 

 fader?' says Joseph. 'Yes,' says the interpreter; 

 ' who's your fader ? ' ' Who my fader ? ' says Joseph. 

 1 Take him away and let him think about it,' says the 

 officer with a sad sardonic smile. Joseph is alarmed and 

 volunteers name of mother ; this is no good ; this sort 

 of information any fool can give ; Government is collect- 

 ing information of a more recondite and interesting 

 character. Joseph is removed by Senegal soldiers, 

 boots and all." a Nobody on the west coast of Africa 

 reckons descent through his father. Whether he knows 

 1 Riedel, 446. 2 Kingsley, Trav. 109. 



