Chap. V. VILLAGE LIFE. 109 



successive villages had refused to admit us, said " that it 

 made no difference, we might sleep in his." He then asked 

 that his wife also might be allowed to come and look at the 

 watch, compass, and other curiosities. She came with other 

 women, and seemed to be a modest and intelligent person. 

 Her husband always consulted her before concluding a bargain, 

 and wae evidently influenced by her opinion. The sites of 

 the villages are selected with judgment and good taste, as 

 a flowing stream is always near, and shady trees grow around. 

 In many cases the trees have been planted by the headman 

 himself. The Boalo, or spreading-place, is generally at one 

 end of the village ; it is an area of twenty or thirty yards made 

 smooth and neat, near the favourite banyan and other trees, 

 which throw a grateful shade over it. Here the men sit at 

 various sorts of work during the day, and smoke tobacco and 

 bang ; and here, on the clear delicious moonlight nights, the} 7 

 sing, dance, and drink beer. 



On entering a village, we proceeded, as all strangers do, at 

 once to the Boalo : mats of split reeds or bamboo were usually 

 spread for us to sit on. Our guides then told the men who 

 might be there, who we were, whence we had come, whither 

 we wanted to go, and what were our objects. This in- 

 formation was duly carried to the Chief, who, if a sensible man, 

 came at once ; but, if he happened to be timid and suspicious, 

 waited until he had used divination, and his warriors had 

 time to come in from outlying hamlets. When he makes his 

 appearance, all the people begin to clap their hands in 

 unison, and continue doing so till he sits down opposite to 

 us. His counsellors take their places beside him. He makes 

 a remark or two, and is then silent for a few seconds. Our 

 guides then sit down in front of the chief and his counsellors, 

 and both parties lean forward, looking earnestly at each other ; 



