THE CHIEF MAHURA. 129 



who had given me permission to outspan where I now 

 stood, and ordering me to inspan and return to the 

 town. These men wore very insolent and overbearing 

 in their manner. I accordingly at once assumed a very 

 high tone, and said that, if Mahura was particular as 

 to wh'ire I outspanned, he ought to have told me so on 

 the preceding evening; that as to returning, I would on 

 no account return ; and that if the chief's heart was 

 against me, I would not wait to trade with him, but 

 would at once proceed on my journey. I also told them 

 that Mahura was not my chief, and that I cared not 

 for his words. They then became still more insolent, 

 and said that I should learn what Mahura could do be- 

 fore sunset, and they departed to report my words to 

 their tyrannical chief. 



Mahura was sitting in the missionary's house : ac- 

 cordingly, I rode thither, and arrived along with these 

 men. On my words being reported, he was at first ex- 

 ceedingly wroth, and said that, in consequence of what 

 I had said, he would not permit me to proceed through 

 his country. I only smiled at these threats ; and he 

 eventually cooled down, and took leave of us apparently 

 in good humor. In the evening he returned and took 

 tea with Mr. Ross and myself, and then accompanied 

 me to my camp ; he rode on horseback in a large white 

 great-coat, accompanied by his brother and two other 

 mounted attendants. I showed him all my rifles, with 

 which he expressed himself much pleased ; having drank 

 his fill of coffee, he took a friendly leave, promising to 

 visit me early next day. 



True to his word, Mahura came and breakfasted 



with me, after which I obtained six karosses from him 



in barter for ammunition. I then presented him with 



a whip-stick and two jounds of powder, and walked 



F2 



