100 EXPEDITION INTO 



Unencumbered with raiment of any sort ; but wore a red 

 feather from the long'-tailed finch in his hair^ which unhke 

 that of the rest^ was unshorn^ and destitute of tlie issigolw. 

 The dimensions of liis mouth were calculated to excite the 

 astonishment of every beholder^ that feature literally ex- 

 tending" from ear to ear. An inspection of our property 

 then took place. Not a word was spoken ; neither did any 

 of the party betray the smallest S}'mptom either of surprise 

 or even of g'ratification. An imperturbable gravity pervaded 

 the countenance of every one^ and as soon as they had 

 sufficiently scrutinized^ they retired to report to the chieftain 

 the result of their observations. 



It was some hours before we could obtain an}- breakfast^ 

 the nearest water being- three miles from the kraal. We felt 

 quite certain that the king- must be dying- with impatience to 

 obtain possession of the various presents we had broug'ht for 

 him^ but he thoug-ht it dig-nified to affect indifference^ and 

 prosecuted his ideas of propriety so rigorously, that his non- 

 appearance became at length alarming. AVe therefore des- 

 patched Baba to say that everything AAas prepared for his 

 reception, and that we were extremely anxious to pay our 

 respects. In the course of a few minutes, loud shouting and 

 yelling announced his approach. He was attended b}^ the 

 spies that had accompanied us from Mosega, several of his 

 chiefs, and most of the warriors who were not absent on the 

 expedition I have alluded to, armed with shields and assagais. 

 As he advanced others rushed up with a shout, brandishing- 

 their sticks. A number of women followed Avith calabashes 

 of beer on their heads ', and two pursuivants cleared the 

 way, byroaring, charging, prancing, and caricoling asalready 

 described, flourishing their short sticks in a most furious 

 manner, and proclaiming the royal titles in a string of unbro- 

 ken sentences. As we advanced to meet him several of the 

 crowd exclaimed " Ilabjah ! Ilahjali l" a shout of congratu- 



