174 PRIVATE INTERVIEW WITH SHINTE. 



which were woven rods, all very neat and high. Many 

 trees stood within the enclosure and afforded a grateful 

 shade. These had been planted, for we saw some recently 

 put in, with grass wound round the trunk to protect them 

 from the sun. The otherwise waste corners of the streets 

 were planted with sugarcane and bananas, which spread 

 their large light leaves over the walls. 



The Ficus Indica tree, under which we now sat, had 

 very large leaves, but showed its relationship to the Indian 

 banian by sending down shoots toward the ground. Shinte 

 soon came, and appeared a man of upward of fifty-five 

 years of age, of frank and open countenance, and about 

 the middle height. He seemed in good humor, and said he 

 had expected yesterday " that a man who came from the 

 gods would have approached and talked to him." That 

 had been my own intention in going to the reception; but 

 when we came and saw the formidable preparations, and 

 all his own men keeping at least forty yards off from him, 

 [ yielded to the solicitations of my men, and remained by 

 the tree opposite to that under which he sat. His remark 

 confirmed my previous belief that a frank, open, fearless 

 manner is the most winning with all these Africans. I 

 stated the object of my journey and mission, and to all 1 

 advanced the old gentleman clapped his hands in approba- 

 tion. He replied through a spokesman; then all the com- 

 pany joined in the response by clapping of hands too. 



After the more serious business was over, I asked 

 if he had ever seen a white man before. He replied, 

 tl Never : you are the very first I have seen with a white 

 skin and straight hair : your clothing, too, is different from 

 any we have ever seen." They had been visited by native 

 Portuguese and Mambari only. 



On learning from some of the people that "Shinte's 

 mouth was bitter for want of tasting ox-flesh," I presented 

 him with an ox, to his great delight; and, as his country 

 is so well adapted for cattle, I advised him to begin a trado 

 in cows with the Makololo. He was pleased with the idea, 



