102 A NATURALIST IN THE TRANSVAAL, 



road, and now funeral dances and loud songs of woe 

 were still of frequent occurrence. An Induna who 

 accompanied me to see these rites exhibited what is 

 called the " scepticism of the better classes," and quietly 

 remarked with a smile, as he handed me some Kafir beer, 

 "it will not bring him back." All these men love 

 strong liquor, and those who can obtain it show little 

 moderation whilst the supply remains unfinished. Two 

 Indunas visited the store daily, and patiently waited 

 about during my visit, knowing that I had some whiskey, 

 and by friendly smiles solicited the favour of being asked 

 to take a drink. To look at these two men, there could 

 be little doubt as to how they acquired their position. 

 Good health, a stalwart and imposing appearance, the 

 signs of mental capacity far beyond their fellows, a general 

 air of good-natured cunning, and an absence of what 

 might be called "morbid conscientiousness," made up 

 the qualities that not only created success in a kraal, 

 but with education would have made good men of 

 business, who could have promoted Companies and 

 held their own on a stock exchange. These are the 

 attributes which for ever make impossible dreams as to 

 the perfect " equality of man." 



.With these two Indunas we arranged the prelimi- 

 naries for a great dance on the basis of my host pro- 

 viding an ox to be slaughtered and eaten on the 

 occasion. 



On the morning of the dance troops of Magwambas, 

 ornamented with their most showy if scanty wearing- 

 apparel and singing their songs or rather dirges, 

 gathered in from all sides. Several Indunas were 

 arrayed in war-like attire, and the whole scene reminded 

 one of a public holiday at Hampstead or Biddlesdown 

 at home, but without both the drunkenness and vul- 

 garity. The only vulgar-looking Kafir was an individual 

 in European costume, who had just returned from 

 working at the diamond-fields. He was dressed in a 

 suit of cords, his waistcoat was ornamented with three 

 distinct brass watch-guards, he also possessed boots and 

 necktie and wore a round hat ; but, compared with his 



