178 MANNER OF MARCHING. Chap. VII I. 



the night; he accompanies it with an extempore song, in 

 which he rehearses their deeds ever since they left their own 

 country. At times animated political discussions spring up, 

 and the amount of eloquence expended on these occasions 

 is amazing. The whole camp is aroused, and the men shout 

 to one another from the different fires ; whilst some, whose 

 tongues are never heard on any other subject, now burst 

 forth into impassioned speech. The misgovernment of Chiefs 

 furnishes an inexhaustible theme. " We could govern our- 

 selves better," they cry, " so what is the use of Chiefs at all ? 

 they do not work. The Chief is fat, and has plenty of wives ; 

 whilst we, who do the hard work, have hunger, only one wife, 

 or more likely none ; now this must be bad, unjust, and 

 wrong." All shout to this a loud "ehe," equivalent to our 

 " hear, hear." Next the headman, Kanyata, and Tuba with 

 his loud voice, are heard taking up the subject on the loyal 

 side. " The Chief is the father of the people ; can there be 

 people without a father, eh ? God made the Chief. Who says 

 that the Chief is not wise ? He is wise ; but his children are 

 fools." Tuba goes on generally till he has silenced all oppo- 

 sition ; and if his arguments are not always sound, his voice 

 is the loudest, and he is sure to have the last word. 



As a specimen of our mode of marching, we rise about 

 five, or as soon as dawn appears, take a cup of tea and a 

 bit of biscuit ; the servants fold up the blankets and stow 

 them away in the bags they carry ; the others tie their 

 fumbas and cooking-pots to each end of their carrying-sticks, 

 which are borne on the shoulder ; the cook secures the 

 dishes, and all are on the path by sunrise. If a con- 

 venient spot can be found Ave halt for breakfast about nine 

 a.m. To save time, this meal is generally cooked the night 

 before, and has only to be warmed. We continue the march 



