196 CHIEFS & CITIES OF CENTRAL AFRICA 



In the afternoon the Jeggara came to pay us a visit 

 of state, the first time he had left the palace for many- 

 weeks. He is enormously tall — 6 feet 5 inches — as 

 is characteristic of his race ; for the Kotoko, his 

 people, are descended from giants. The 

 size of their water-pots and other posses- 

 sions bears testimony to this fact. We 

 saw few men under 6 feet in height, and 

 some were as tall as 6 feet 7 inches. 



We went out to greet the Jeggara in 

 the courtyard, where he sat in state upon 

 his horse. It was caparisoned in gay trap- 

 pings, which eifectually concealed all but 

 its legs. He himself was clad in loose 

 trousers, burnouse and gorgeous mantle, 

 ^^^FT°' Hian!'^^ and over him was held a bright pink para- 

 sol. His retinue were few in number 

 and soberly clothed, fit spectacle for the eyes of a tax- 

 collector ; and the sight was made more piteous by old 

 worn women, slaves of the Jeggara, dancing slowly and 

 wearily before him, as tramps might round a barrel- 

 organ. Presently he dismounted and came in and sat 

 with us, attended by one courtier only, who acted 

 as interpreter. We craved permission to visit the 

 palace, which the Jeggara granted readily ; but still 

 he sat on, conversation flagged, so in default of any- 

 thing else to say we offered him the hospitality of 

 tea, as an offer of spirit might, we thought, be taken 

 as an insult by one professing the Mahommedan faith. 

 Instantly he rose and took his leave, and Mastaba 

 told us he had been frie'htened and had said to his 

 companion, "Why do the English wish to kill me? 

 why do they offer me grass ? " 



