From "In the Heart of Africa," by Adolphus Frederick, Duke of ^lecklenburg (Cassell & Co.) 
OARSMEN ON ONE OF THE UPPER TRIBUTARIES OF THE CONGO (FIRST POSITION) 
These men were recruited from the Wabudu and Wangilima tribes — fine men, whose 
splendid display of muscle afforded evidence of perfect training. Their naked bodies shone 
with grease. They wore caps on their heads, made from the long-haired skins of apes, or 
tightly fitting bonnets smeared with grease and camwood, something like those used by our 
ladies at home when bathing. 
height, is extraordinarily great, and with 
the bow-string drawn to its fullest extent 
the arrow flies a distance of 200 paces. 
Running races, too, were organized, 
but owing to the lack of the necessary 
measuring instruments I am, unfortu- 
nately, not in a position to give the times. 
I have no doubt, however, that in this 
department, also, the European records 
were at least equalled. 
IT IS NOT GOOD FORM TO EAUGH 
The effects of a gramophone perform- 
ance were curiously varied. Some lis- 
tened and presented a most stoical indif- 
ference ; others opened their eyes till 
they were as large as saucers, and the 
faces of others, again, were convulsed 
with delight. We had occasion here to 
confirm our former impressions namely. 
that our military marches aroused no in- 
terest, that unintelligible interlocutions 
caused general amusement, and that 
songs in a female voice, especially when 
they attained the higher notes, excited 
screams of laughter. 
Laughter, however, was a slight source 
of trouble to the Watussi. It was not 
supposed to be "good form" to laugh, 
and it was intensely diverting to watch 
the frantic efforts made to conceal it, 
hands being placed quickly over mouths 
in order to hide any indiscretion. Then,, 
after the merriment had passed, the de- 
linquents would gaze quite gravely at the 
gramophone horn, until a suspicious- 
twitching at the corners of the mouth 
rendered a fresh maneuvering of hands 
necessary. 
The crowd continued to grow denser 
384 
