290 CHIEFS & CITIES OF CENTRAL AFRICA 



We went to see the chiefs compound, which stood 

 right on the edge of the cliff and commanded a 

 magnificent view of the country round. It was empty 

 of everything in the nature of a curio, but then, as 

 the people disliked us, it was probable that they had 

 hidden everything. We tried hard to change their 

 disapproval into liking, but only one man was pleasant, 



Bachelors' Huts. 



and the others all replied to our questions with dour, 

 unconvincing lies. We climbed to the very top of the 

 peak, which meant a real scramble, passing at its base 

 a series of wells in the rock. They contain a supply 

 of water, at small depth, all the year round ; but in 

 the dry season the Kerri-Kerri often get their water 

 from the plains, to avoid too great a drain upon their 

 natural reserve. They use it, of course, in time of 

 danger, and our presence was counted as such, for no 



