We Stay at Blantyre 



arms as if carrying a machilla, shouting in his own 

 language — ** This is Blantyre way ! " then he would 

 creep about slowly, all doubled up, and looking 

 the picture of exhaustion, saying, *' This Angoulu 

 style ! " 



On the road one man starts weird cries, quite 

 meaningless words, such as ** Ha, ha!" or *'Oye, 

 oye!" and often a proper name such as ''O 

 Mandala!" This cry, repeated and echoed by all 

 the rest, keeps up a certain excitement and breaks 

 the monotony of the road. Occasionally they sing 

 songs. The Angonie tribe have some beautiful 

 chants, former war songs. Some of the tunes have 

 been set to the words of hymns by a missionary. 



All were anxious to acquire a little English, 

 and some learnt very quickly. I knew nothing 

 of their language, but managed to pick up a few 

 words, such as ** Ku enda " ('* go on ") and " Linda " 

 ("wait"), and while listening to their talk would 

 sometimes recognize a Swahili or an Arabic word. 

 They always called me " Donna " or " Mama," a 

 form of address which is intended to show great 

 respect. 



I have been anticipating somewhat, and must in 

 the next chapter return to our actual doings. 



27 



