78 VILLAGE LIFE. Chap. III. 



of the hill tribes knelt beside the path as we passed; 

 but a great difference took place when we got into Ny an go's 

 country. 



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 information 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 ham- 

 lets. 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 ; the chief 

 repeats a word, such as "Ambuiatu" (our Father, or 

 master) — or "moio" (life), and all clap their hands. 

 Another word is followed by two claps, a third by still 

 more clapping, when each touches the ground with both 

 hands placed together. Then all rise and lean forward 

 with measured clap, and sit down again with clap, clap, 

 clap, fainter, and still fainter, till the last dies away, 

 or is brought to an end by a smart loud clap from the 

 chief. They keep perfect time in this species of court 

 etiquette. Our guides now tell the chief, often in blank 

 verse, all they have already told his people, with the 

 addition perhaps of their own suspicions of the visitors. 

 He asks some questions, and then converses with us 

 through the guides. Direct communication between the 

 chief and the head of the stranger party is not customary. 

 In approaching they often ask who is the spokesman, and 



