Chapter 111. 



construction is most ino-enioiis. A ninnl:)er of slio-ht rods or 

 flexible canes are stuck into the earth in a circle. Their upper 

 ends are bent so as to meet in tlie middle and interwoven 

 so as to form a dome. Upon this are j)laced bundles of grass 

 disposed in such a manner as to leave a narrow opening for the 

 entrance. Tlius in less than a quarter of an hour a vast grassy 

 plain is transformed into a considerai )le village. While the 

 work proceeds, there arrive from the neighbouring villages long- 

 files of ^^■omen and old men carrying on their heads parcels of 



WItESTLIN(; MATCH AMOXG THE PORTERS. 



fruit and of sweet potatoes wra})ped in plantain leaves. 

 Swarms of naked children accompany tliem. Tlie tiny ones 

 are carried on their mothers' backs in a fold of their garment. 

 In this way the caravan lives entirely on food sujjplied by the 

 population of the regions crossed. 



In the meantime the Duke would receive a visit of 

 ceremony from some chieftain, whose arrival in camp, attended 

 Avith the pom]) hrfittiug his digiiitv, had been heralded by 



84 



