108 DUFILE TO FATIKO. 



round us, mingling with armed men, women, children, dogs, 

 and fowls — an animated scene. 



The Shiili chief is an old man with a curious squint ; his 

 gala dress consisted of fresh red paint, an antelope skin over 

 the shoulder, and some iron rings. He seemed very pleased 

 with the presents I had brought for him, gave me in return a 

 splendid elephant's tusk, and then sent for his better-half, a 

 very old woman, who, however, still appeared to take pleasure 

 in glittering glass beads. When our official discussion was 

 concluded to our mutual satisfaction, I left the old gentleman 

 to indulge in mrissa with his subjects about him, while I took 

 a walk through the little village. I must here remark that 

 Bochama's proper capital lies about six hours' journey farther 

 on, beyond the Khor Asa. 



The construction of the houses here strikingly reminds 

 one of the Shiluk huts ; the huts for girls and boys already 

 mentioned, when speaking of the Madi, are also found here. 

 Votive trees, hung over with skulls, are common, the skulls of 

 dwarf antelopes and rodents being conspicuous among them. 

 At the foot of one of these trees stood a pot with small-leaved 

 Liliacese ; little pieces of it are laid over traps to ensure success 

 to the trapper. The chief implements are of the usual descrip- 

 tion, except that the murhakka (grindstones) are neatly encased 

 in clay. The spears only differ from those of the Wanyoro 

 in having a broader blade ; the shields are oblong, with sides 

 curving inwards, and are made of buffalo hide. The clothing 

 of men and women, their ornaments, &c, are exactly similar to 

 those of the Madi. Dogs and cats were the only domestic 

 animals visible. 



As the weather looked threatening* we were oblig-ed to think 

 of returning home. A drink of honey-water was brought me 

 by a black Hebe, and then, accompanied by a large escort led 

 by the chief, we 'set off. At the khor the whole company took 

 leave of us, and we returned by the way we had come ; but 

 rain beginning to fall, we were compelled to seek shelter in 

 the village of Otongole. On a rock in this place there is a 

 magnificent tree with thick fruit-pods clinging to the boughs, 

 and containing six to seven black, orange-capped, angular 

 seeds, which are used by the natives in the game of mangala. 



