THE GREAT DANCE. 103 
singing, dancing, and making some most unearthly 
and awe-inspiring noises the while. One sound is 
produced gutturally, and resembles the low growl of 
a wild animal. Another is made by striking the 
shields — a sound resemblinpf distant thunder. Then 
they have a way of whistling, not unlike the cat-calls 
of a London theatre. During their dances a warrior 
rushes out into the middle of the circle from time to 
time, and goes through the pantomime of his late ex- 
ploits, brandishing spear and shield, and rushing 
wildly about. He denotes, by repeated thrusts, the 
number of people he has slain, whilst the surrounding 
warriors shout loudly. 
" Standing about are many pretty girls in most 
fantastic head-dresses, worn only on special occasions, 
and highly prized. Predominant is the pink bead, 
appropriated by the royal family. A small group of 
waggon-drivers, either those who have come up here 
with white men, or who belong to the doctor's party, 
whose waggons accompany the king in all his move- 
ments, are dressed to the height of fashion — as near 
as they can manage it — in European dress, for which 
the stores of the place have been ransacked, and 
high prices paid, no matter at what sacrifice. One 
has a chimney-pot. These fellows are usually the 
greatest scamps in the country — idle, vain, insolent, 
and vicious. The king is dressed much like his 
warriors, and looks himself. He is a fine-looking 
man, and has an agreeable expression and a ready 
smile. He is one of the darkest -complexioncd 
people I have seen belonging to this nation. 
