DANKALLI TOLERANCE. 309 



meaning, immediately interpreted it more fully to 

 the rest ; and as I understood a good deal more than 

 I could speak, I was always able to know whether 

 they had caught my idea or not. Neither proud 

 intolerance, or obstinate bigotry, occasioned one 

 hasty or disparaging expression. All sat in their 

 usual silent manner whilst another spoke, squatting 

 upon their heels, which, in order to be more com- 

 fortable, as it was a lengthy debate, were raised a 

 little by two small stones, placed for that purpose 

 beneath them. The same courtesy marked all the 

 friendly conversations I had with them. During 

 this morning's march, Ohmed Medina, in a joking 

 manner, said, that the English were not a nation of 

 men like themselves, but a nation of women, because 

 they allowed themselves to be governed by a Queen. 

 I retorted by saying, that the fact was, " that the 

 English women were as strong as the Dankalli 

 men." A remark which Ohmed Medina imme- 

 diately translated into their language, much to the 

 amusement of the Hy Soumaulee around, who did 

 not seem in the least annoyed by the freedom of 

 the comparison. 



May 2d. — A slight shower fell, not sufficient to 

 come through the roof of my hut, but it rendered 

 the ground so muddy that we were obliged to remain 

 where we were for this day. Another large herd 

 of cattle had passed us during the night, going to 

 Killaloo, and their footmarks contributed in a great 

 measure to the bad condition of the ground. Several 



