CAFFER FAIR. 9 



arrival. On the present occasion, I noticed seve- 

 ral Caffers who had brought for sale the tooth of an 

 elephant, the size of which indicated a more than 

 ordinary value, and seemed to excite great interest 

 among the dealers, with a reasonable expectation of 

 large profit to the parties themselves, whose united 

 efforts had succeeded in obtaining it. Many offers 

 were at first rejected, the number and avarice of its 

 owners appearing to demand an extravagant price. 

 The hour had nearly arrived for concluding the fair, 

 before an assenting nod declared the termination of 

 the bargain, which was evidently hastened by the 

 introduction of a knife, with some other alluring 

 articles, in addition to the beads already offered. 

 Gaika, in consequence, soon appeared for his accus- 

 tomed tribute, and evinced both his rapacity and dis- 

 crimination in selecting the choicest beads, without 

 appearing to have the slightest interest in the trans- 

 action, and without uttering a word to the morti- 

 fied assemblage. Every look and movement of this 

 arbitrary chieftain was narrowly scrutinized by the 

 desponding group ; and as each string of tamboos 

 (the beads most valuable in their estimation) disap- 

 peared successively beneath his covetous grasp, the 

 contortions of their features clearly bespoke their 

 secret rage, the loud expression of which was alone 

 restrained by fear of the Chief. Silence, however, 

 was no longer maintained, but on his departure 

 their distress and wrath were soon expressed in 



