352 THE EASTERN HUNTERS. 



liness in the movement of the feet either, it being 

 considered a great point to glide along without the 

 faintest symptom of springiness. 



The singing was not more to the taste of the 

 English auditors than the dancing. Pitched at the 

 very highest key, it appeared that the principal 

 object of the performers was to make their voices 

 shriek and quiver with all their force of lung ; and 

 in this they were remarkably successful. Some of 

 the native airs, when set to English music, are 

 pretty enough, but, heard in the original, convey 

 but little idea of melody. Moreover, it requires 

 one to be practised, as well as thoroughly con- 

 versant with the language, to enable the listener 

 to catch the burden of the song. But as this is 

 frequently immoral, sometimes indecent, the interest 

 attaching to the words, even when understood, 

 makes no amends for the lack of melody. In fact, 

 a little of it is generally found to go a long way 

 among men whose tastes have not become assimi- 

 lated to those of the natives. 



On this occasion, Norman managed to make out 

 that a great deal of the singing was a sort of chaunt 

 in honour of the visitors ; but this did not prove 

 sufficiently attractive to induce them to prolong 

 their visit. Mackenzie, therefore, took an early 

 opportunity of intimating that, as the sun was 



