178 MATOLO. Chap. IX. 



I asked Mayolo what he would do if any one was to 

 force the lines, he said that there would then be a 

 grand palaver, but that there was no fear of such an 

 event, for it never happened. Another reason for 

 planting the lines was of a sanitary nature : small- 

 pox was prevalent in several neighbouring villages, 

 and Mayolo wished to prevent the relatives of the 

 wives of his villagers (for people generally marry 

 girls of distant places) from coming on a visit to 

 them. I learnt to-day that the Otando man, who had 

 accompanied me from Olenda, had since died of the 

 plague, and the people of other villages had natu- 

 rally come to the conclusion that his being in con- 

 tact with me was the cause. Pie was one of Mayolo's 

 fathers-in-law. It is marvellous how firm Mayolo 

 adheres to the faith that I have nothing at all to do 

 with the introduction of the plague. His influence 

 is so great amongst his people that many have now 

 come round to his opinion, and others dare not 

 openly declare the contrary. 



Two days after the pona oganga I called my 

 people, and Mayolo and his people, together, and 

 made a formal and resolute demand to be furnished 

 with guides and porters to the Apono country. 

 The speech which I made on this occasion was, as 

 nearly as I can translate it, in the following words ; I 

 spoke in similitudes, African fashion, and used African 

 expressions : — 



" Mayolo, I have called you and your people 

 together, in order that you may hear my mouth. 

 When one of your people goes to the Ashira country 

 to make trade, his heart is not glad until his friends 



