754 CHITAMBO'S KINDNESS. 



master died last night. You were afraid to let me know, but 

 do not fear any longer. I, too, have travelled, and more than 

 once have been to Bwani (the coast), before the country on the 

 road was destroyed by the Mazitu. I know that you have no 

 bad motives in coming to our land, and death often happens to 

 travellers in their journeys." Reassured by this speech, they 

 told him of their intention to prepare the body and to take it 

 Avith them. He, however, said it would be far better to bury it 

 there, for they were undertaking an impossible task ; but they 

 held to their resolution. The corpse was conveyed to the new 

 hut the same day on the kitanda, carefully covered with cloth 

 and a blanket. 



The next morning Susi paid a visit to Chitambo, making him 

 a handsome present and receiving in return a kind welcome. 

 Following out his suggestion, it was agreed that all honors 

 should be shown to the dead, and the customary mourning was 

 arranged forthwith. 



At the proper time, Chitambo, leading his people and accom- 

 panied by his wives, came to the new settlement. He was clad 

 in a broad red cloth, which covered the shoulders, whilst the 

 wrapping of native cotton cloth, worn round the waist, fell as 

 low as his ankles. All carried bows, arrows, and spears, but no 

 guns were seen. Two drummers joined in the loud wailing 

 lamentation, which so indelibly impresses itself on the memories 

 of people who have heard it in the East, whilst the band of ser- 

 vants fired volley after volley in the air, according to the strict 

 rule of Portuguese and Arabs on such occasions. 



As yet nothing had been done to the corpse. 



A separate hut Avas now built, about ninety feet from the 

 principal one. It Avas constructed in such a manner that it 

 should be open to the air at the top, and sufficiently strong to 

 defy the attempts of any Avild beast to break through it. 

 Firmly driven boughs and saplings Avere planted side by side 

 and bound together, so as to make a regular stockade. Close to 

 this building the men constructed their huts, and, finally, the 

 whole settlement had another high stockade carried completely 

 around it. 



Arrangements Avere made the same day to treat the corpse 

 on the following morning. One of the men, Safene, Avhilst in 



