PASS A MUDITU KRAAL. 433 



nearly circular. The diameter was so short, that I 

 asked if the body were buried sitting, and was told 

 that it was not, but that a low excavation on one 

 side, at the bottom, received it in a kind of tomb. 

 Near this were other graves, all marked by a little 

 conical heap of loose stones five or six feet high, the 

 top being finished off by two small upright stones 

 placed about a foot apart. Some of these little 

 pyramids, in other situations, I have seen exceeding 

 ten or fifteen feet in height ; and one, a prominent 

 landmark for several days' journey, situated upon 

 the eastern extremity of the ridge of San-karl, to 

 the south of the valley of Gobarcl, must be at least 

 one hundred feet high. 



As we passed in front of the village, which con- 

 sisted of not less than fifty huts, a numerous 

 assembly of the Muditu came out, the chiefs of 

 whom saluted us in gloomy silence with a passing 

 slide of the hand. As I rode on my mule, I kept 

 giving my hand, letting it slip gently off theirs, and 

 keeping a sharp look-out that they did not take 

 the opportunity of pulling me off the mule, which 

 many of them seemed inclined to do. Never did I 

 see such a suppressed feeling of animosity so 

 apparent in the scowling look and silent salute of 

 both parties ; whilst sundry nods and winks of the 

 eye exchanged by many of my escort, and by nearly 

 all the Tajourah people, told their quiet enjoyment 

 of the great disappointment of these fellows, in not 

 having a chance of obtaining even a present for 



VOL. I. F F 



