ROYAL PROPERTY. 189 



streets in a fdanjana one frequently sees, on looking a little 

 ahead, the road completely cleared of people, even in a 

 crowded thoroughfare ; every one presses to one side or the 

 other, and getting out of the way into any odd corner that 

 may come convenient. All heads are meanwhile uncovered, 

 and presently we see a native bearing a spear, followed by 

 bearers of some small articles of luggage, the rear being 

 brought up by another spear-bearer. These men, full ot 

 importance, shout out to the people, Mitanila ! Mitanilii ! 

 "Get to one side!" and none dares but obey, or a thrust 

 of the spear would soon teach him proper manners. Some- 

 times the spear-bearer precedes a dozen men bearing water- 

 jars, or half-a-dozen bullocks ; but in every case — luggage, 

 water, or cattle — it is royal property, and must be honoured 

 by leaving a free road before it, and by uncovered heads. 

 Should an unfortunate dog happen to cross the path, it is 

 ruthlessly speared, and left wounded and dying on the road. 

 This custom, again, is also found in Polynesia (as well as in 

 Africa), for in the work just now quoted from it is said, " So 

 stately was the royal etiquette during his [Tamehameha's] 

 reign that whoever happened to meet the King's calabash of 

 water as it was brought from the spring to the house, was 

 required to unrobe and lie down upon the earth until the 

 bearer of the vessel had gone by." 



When there happens to be special work requiring to be 

 done in connection with the royal courtyards, such as rebuild- 

 ing or extending the lofty retaining w^alls, all ranks of the 

 people, from the highest to the lowest, take a pride in doing 

 with their hands some of the actual labour. Under the eye 

 of their Queen, who sits on a raised seat looking on, the 

 highest officers are seen with their l^mbas girded round their 

 loins, working harder than their slaves, carrying stone, dig- 

 ging or ramming earth, and doing whatever manual labour 

 may be required. Much of the same kind of feeling exists in 

 clearing the ground for the erection of their chapels, when 

 every one — male and female, Andrians and slaves, officers and 

 soldiers — will all labour with the greatest zeal ; some digging, 

 others bringing stone, others laying bricks, while their wives 



