394 



SENSIBLE OLD WOMAN. 



Chap. XIX. 



handsome damsels gaily dressed and adorned with a view to 

 attract purchasers. One was carrying his pipe for smoking 

 bang, here called " chamba ;" another his bow and arrows ; 

 a third his battle-axe ; a fourth one of his robes ; while the 

 last was ready to take his umbrella when he felt tired. This 

 show of his merchandise was to excite the cupidity of any 

 Chief who had ivory, and may be called the lawful way of 

 carrying on the slave-trade. What proportion it bears to the 

 other ways in which we have seen this traffic pursued, we 

 never found means of forming a judgment. He sat and looked 

 at us for a few minutes, the young ladies kneeling behind 

 him ; and, having satisfied himself that we were not likely to 

 be customers, he departed. 



On our first trip we met, at the landing opposite this place, 

 a middle-aged woman of considerable intelligence, and pos- 

 sessing more knowledge of the country than any of the 



An old Manganja Woman, showing the pelele or lip-ring and the tattooing in intersecting 

 lines ou face, arms, and body. 



