8 CAFFER FAIR. 



sent, and the negotiation is therefore carried on by 

 signs. Should the beads or other commodities of- 

 fered not be considered sufficient by the Caffer for 

 the transfer of his own produce, a shake of the head 

 significantly denotes his dissatisfaction ; more beads, 

 perhaps, are then added on the one side, but dissent 

 being still manifested on the other, until the dealer, 

 not disposed to make any further advance, the affair 

 terminates without agreement, to the vexation of the 

 bead merchant, whose time and patience have been 

 so unprofitably exhausted, but to the utter indiffer- 

 ence of the Caffer, whose imperturbable coolness is 

 an additional source of chagrin to the unsuccessful 

 bidder. A second and a third dealer often display 

 their ornamental treasures with similar failure ; and 

 it not unfrequently happens that the tenacious Caffer 

 departs without disposing of his commodity, which 

 he brings to the next fair, and exchanges ultimately 

 for articles of less number and value than had pre- 

 viously been offered. When a bargain of any mag- 

 nitude is concluded, the Chief is generally at hand 

 to substantiate his claim, considering himself en- 

 titled to a certain portion of the profits as his tri- 

 bute, in consequence of his territory having been 

 made the scene of traffic. His retainers are there- 

 fore dispersed throughout the fair, to watch the vari- 

 ous negotiations, and summon their chief at the 

 close of any considerable bargain ; no fraction of the 

 payment being touched by the salesman before his 



