90 CHIEFS & CITIES OF CENTRAL AFRICA 



efforts would be in vain were not the powerful in- 

 ducement of salt offered. Very few words settled 

 the matter. Had we come out with eyes and ears 

 shut until we reached our destination ? If not, why 

 did we bar the study of the natives ? We had not 

 come out expecting to enjoy food — well, why couldn't 

 we sacrifice a little salt ? So, thoroughly ashamed of 

 our selfishness, we took that tin of salt and laid it on 

 the table, so that the fearful might be tempted. 



Then Mr Talbot summoned Mastaba and measured 

 him, so that the Wadama might see no suffering was 

 entailed. Presently the Bamm was induced to come, 

 and after he had retired with a rich reward of salt 

 his people crowded round. One after another they 

 presented themselves ; and as the salt sunk lower in 

 the tin, so did our spirits flag. Mr Talbot's were 

 high, however, and we fixed our thoughts on the 

 enrichment of the world's knowledge. I do hope 

 the Anthropological Society really appreciate the 

 measurements they ask for. Mrs Talbot and I often 

 wondered how much they do, for, to our untrained 

 feminine minds, it seemed that general observations 

 were just as effective as measurements. 



The process proved to be a great bond of friend- 

 ship, and the intimacy it brought about encouraged 

 the sick to approach, and to demonstrate by appro- 

 priate gestures where they felt pain. 



Mr Talbot dealt out simple but potent remedies, 

 and the reaction from the sufferings these produced 

 won him great respect and gratitude. The native 

 likes his medicines strong, so that he can feel the 

 result whether for better or worse. One old and 

 very poor man brought a fowl as thank-offering, and 



