Chapter III. 



construction is most ingenious. A nnmi)er of sliyht rods or 

 flexible canes are stuck into tlie eartli in a circle. Their upper 

 ends are bent so as to meet in the mitldle and interwoven 

 so as to form a dome. Upon this are placed bundles of grass 

 disposed in such a manner as to leave a narro\\- opening for the 

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

 plain is transformed into a considerable village. While the 

 work proceeds, there arrive from the neighbouring villages long 

 files of women and old men carrying on their heads parcels of 



WRESTLING MATCH AMONG THE PORTERS. 



fruit and of sweet potatoes wrapped in plantain leaves. 

 Swarms of naked chikben accompany them. The tiny ones 

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

 In this way the caravan lives entii-ely on food supplied by the 

 population of the regions crossed. 



In the meantime the Duke would receive a visit of 

 ceremony from some chieftain, whose airival in camp, attended 

 with the pomp befitting his dignity, had been heralded by 



84 



