THE GREAT DANCE. 103 



singing, dancing, and making some most unearthly 

 and awe-inspiring noises the while. One sound is 

 produced gutturally and resembles the low growl of 

 a wild animal. Another is made by striking the 

 shields — a sound resembling distant thunder. Then 

 they have a way of whistling, not unlike the cat-calls 

 of a London theatre. During their dances a warrior 

 rushes out into the middle of the circle from time to 

 time, and goes through the pantomime of his late ex- 

 ploits, brandishing spear and shield, and rushing 

 wildly about. He denotes by repeated thrusts the 

 number of people he has slain, whilst the surround- 

 ing warriors shout loudly. 



" Standing about are many pretty girls in most 

 fantastic head-dresses, worn only on special occasions 

 and highly prized. Predominant is the pink bead, 

 appropriated by the royal family. A small group of 

 waggon-drivers, either those who have come up here 

 with white men, or who belong to the doctor's party, 

 whose waggons accompany the king in all his move- 

 ments, are dressed to the height of fashion — as near 

 as they can manage it — in European dress, for which 

 the stores of the place have been ransacked, and 

 high prices paid, no matter at what sacrifice. One 

 has a 'chimney-pot.' These fellows are usually the 

 greatest scamps in the country — idle, vain, insolent, 

 and vicious. The king is dressed much like his 

 warriors and looks himself. He is a fine-looking 

 man, and has an agreeable expression and a ready 

 smile. He is one of the darkest-complexioned 

 people I have seen belonging to this nation. 



