FOUR WEEKS IN FIKA 



269 



While Mrs Talbot sketched, the Mallam took me on a 

 regular house-to-house visitation. The owners made 

 me cordially welcome, but an ever-increasing, though 

 friendly, crowd followed us through the streets, and in 

 one big dwelling they were perforce refused entrance. 

 My host attempted to shut and bar his gate against 

 them, but the throng pressed eagerly against it, and 

 a regular hand-to-hand conflict ensued. Obviously it 

 was expected that I should take some action, but, 

 fearful lest it might not be successful, I waited till 

 the householder had practically won his victory before 

 I turned and said, " Let this noise cease." To my 

 astonishment obedience was instant, and when I 

 stepped into the street again the multitude ran 

 away. " They done fear," as Mastaba, our inter- 

 preter, explained to the mystified Mrs Talbot, who 

 was quietly sketching when the men fled past her. 



The houses are regular 

 rabbit-warrens, leading from 

 room to court, with so many 

 entrances into each that, 

 once I had reached the in- 

 terior, it was impossible to 

 find my way out again. No 

 doubt this mode of con- 

 struction was adopted for 

 defensive purposes, and it 

 must have made the place 

 almost impregnable. 



Rows of pots are ranged one above the other round 

 the rooms, and the demand for these is easily sup- 

 plied, as there is a great deal of clay in the hills as 

 well as iron and tin, and large heaps of ashes out- 



Native-madk Iron Cuirass. 



