86 CHIEFS & CITIES OF CENTRAL AFRICA 



from 2^ to 4 feet in height. Immediately inside, a low 

 semicircular mud wall screens the interior, and in it 

 are two or three hollows, where lamps or other small 

 objects are laid. Goats live in the houses in a sort of 

 mud kennel. 



The men watched our explorations with amusement, 

 at a distance that gradually lessened as their confi- 

 dence increased. At last Mr Talbot persuaded one 

 young brave to face the dangers of the camera, and he 

 took his stand boldly till, at the crucial moment, he, 

 together with the onlookers, abruptly fled. The cause 

 was not far to seek. M. Helling's boy had walked up, 

 carrying a large and ancient gun. We were disgusted, 

 and after he had gone our friendly overtures had to be 

 renewed for a long while before our timid friends would 

 once more accredit our good intentions. However, by 

 the aid of an old hag-, who knew Fulani and could 

 interpret, we persuaded them to come back and show 

 us some of their treasures. This old woman, the only 

 one of her sex to remain, was as ugly as her years 

 were many. She wore a small disc in her lip, and her 

 short grey hair and coarse wrinkled skin made her 

 extraordinarily repulsive to look at. Through her 

 good offices one of the warriors was induced to don his 

 war attire, so that we might photograj)h him. The 

 corselet is made of thickly woven grass, the shield of 

 reeds, and the helmet is surmounted by goat's skin. 

 To complete the outfit he should have had leg-armour, 

 like cricket-pads, made of straw bound round with 

 leather. 



To stand in the sun, amidst unpleasant smells, and 

 to crawl in and out of the low huts, was tiring, and 

 we promised ourselves ten minutes' idleness before we 

 returned to the overcrowded boat. It was not to be. 



