200 FEOM THE NIGER TO THE NILE 



cloth, beads and looking-glasses. At the sight of the cloth 

 they were quite indifferent, but their eyes glistened when we 

 displayed our big blue beads ; yet they still stood firm. Then 

 we brought up the small round looking-glasses, and quickly 

 getting the range, flashed them at the enemy's centre. 

 They received this onslaught of magic with terror at first, 

 and some ran away, while others hastily drew their skins 

 still closer round them. Then a hero stood out from among 

 them and stepped boldly forward to look into the glass, but 

 at a very safe distance. When he caught sight of himself, 

 his ugly face broke out into a smile of wonder, then wild 

 laughter shook him, and he ran back to the others and 

 explained what had happened by drawing a full circle round 

 his face. Thereupon they all sat down, and I took the 

 opportunity to go to them and pass the glass round. As 

 each man saw his image, he burst out into laughter, which 

 ran through the whole band till the bows and spears fell away 

 from their sides. The looking-glass had won the day. 



Then by signs we made them understand that we wanted 

 food, in return for which we would give them some of 

 these wonder-works. The chief replied by stretching out 

 a bony hand towards the sun, and lowering it to the point 

 where the orb would be at five o'clock. By this we understood 

 that the food would be forthcoming at that hour. Then 

 there followed a shaking of hands all round, after which our 

 friends came down to examine the boats. When they had 

 satisfied their curiosity and wonder, they went back to the 

 village laughing and talking, very pleased with themselves 

 and with us. In the afternoon we returned their call, while 

 Jose took the boats to the opposite bank where he cut down 



