Chapter III. 



Avould freciueiitlv accoiiipaiiy the expedition for days together, 

 payiiijj,' it lioiiour with their cruelly persistent music. 



The Duke, or some memher of the expedition chosen to repre- 

 sent liiiii. would next return the chieftain's visit and present 

 a gift, usually quite moderate in proportion to the value 

 received. Tlir dwellings of the chiefs are circular huts, with 

 walls of plaited reeds and the usual native roof. The 

 interior is divided by curtains into various rooms. The walls 

 are adorned with illustrations from European periodicals. The 

 floors are covered with mats and skins. There is usually 

 a fair suj)ply of cliairs and cushions. The whole is clean and 

 orderly. Tlit- hut is surrounded 1)y several zeribas. In the 

 courts between the zerihas are huts for women, slaves, 

 soldiers, etc. 



( )n the tiist davs of the march the need of attending; to 

 iunuiuerahlt^ details, in order to eflect the best arrangement of 

 the whole and systematize the work of each, left the members 

 of the expedition very little time to enjoy the picturesque 

 aspects of the adventme. Later on, as each one grew 

 accustomed to liis special attrll)utioiis, every hour became a 

 source of new enjovment. 



The most remarkai)le and changeful spectacle was presented 

 l)y the swarming native camp, with its deafening racket and 

 perpetual excitement, dominated by the incessant rolling of 

 drums and the inharmonious strains of imcouth musical instru- 

 ments, the loud cackling of poultry, the bleating of flocks and 

 lowing of cattle. Now and again noisy, jabbering crowds would 

 surround dancers oi- wrestlers. Women who had come to 

 fetch food foi- the porters, men from the neighbouring villages, 

 small cliildren, e\'en, would i-eni;iui ni camp to add to the 

 jiuhhuh and confusion. 



86 



