300 CONJUGAL AUTHORITY. 



which, he wished to drink was very powerful, and if he 

 repeated his potation it would probably make him drunk. 

 He, however, still begged for a fresh tumbler full, and 

 finding that he would take no denial, I complied with his 

 request, as I considered that a bad headache in the 

 morning would be a good excuse for me to give a lecture 

 to my tippling guest. I therefore refilled his glass, in 

 one minute it was bottom upwards, the contents having 

 gone down his throat with a plaintive gurgle no wink 

 this time either. For quantity and time I could have laid 

 odds on M'untu against any sot of St. Giles's. 



I now saw my solemn friend's countenance begin to light 

 up, his tongue's dignity relaxed, and he commenced talking. 

 His wealth and his performances were the theme. The 

 third tumbler brought out the warmth of the savage's 

 heart. Calling each of his wives by name, he made them 

 drop on all fours and crawl up to him; retaining the 

 tumbler in his own hands for security, he placed it to 

 their lips, jerked a little up their noses, and sent them 

 away still crawling and facing him. Oh ! what a refresh- 

 ing exhibition of domestic obedience ! Suddenly, with the 

 tone of an emperor, he ordered one of his servants to bring 

 some sugar-cane and honey, both of which he by a wave 

 of his arm indicated were for me and my heirs for ever. 

 A fourth tumbler caused a continuous and indistinct 

 utterance of unconnected sentences in a loud voice, 

 whilst a graceful and unceasing rolling motion pervaded 

 his body. His councillor had tried to stop this jovial 

 proceeding at the third tumbler, but had received a back- 

 hander from M'untu that had certainly checked any 



