DAILY LIFE 127 



in his sleep, he touches upon local politics at first 

 delicately; then warming up he speaks more directly 

 and plainly. He may become much excited and 

 gesticulate freely, even leaping into the air and 

 twirling round on one foot with outstretched right 

 arm in a fashion that directs his remarks to each 

 and all of the listening circle ; but, even though 

 he may find occasion to admonish or reproach, or 

 even hint at a threat, his speech never transgresses 

 the strictest bounds of courtesy. Having thus 

 unburdened himself of whatever thoughts and 

 emotions are evoked by the occasion, he takes from 

 the attendant Ganymede a bumper cup of spirit 

 and breaks into song. Standing before his guest 

 and swinging the cup repeatedly almost to his (the 

 guest's) lips, he exhorts him in complimentary and 

 rhyming phrases to accept his remarks in a friendly 

 spirit, and reminds him of the age and strength of 

 their family and tribal relations, referring to their 

 ancestral glories and the proud position in the world 

 of their common race. At the end of each sentence 

 all the men of both parties break out into a loud 

 chorus, repeating the last word or two in deep 

 long-drawn-out musical cadence. Then, with the 

 last words of his extemporised song, the chief yields 

 up the cup to the expectant guest, who, having sat 

 rigidly and with fixed gaze throughout the address, 

 takes it in one long draught, while the chorus 

 swells to a deep musical roar. At this moment 

 the circle of auditors, if much excited, will spring 

 to their feet and swell the noise by stamping and 

 jumping on the resounding planks. The house- 

 chief smilingly strokes his guest from the shoulder 

 downwards and resumes his seat. The chorus and 

 commotion die away, and are followed by a moment 

 of silence, during which the guest prepares to make 

 his reply in similar fashion. He rises and begins 

 by naming and lightly touching or pointing to his 



