72 GAIKA. 



of an elegant form and a graceful and manly deport- 

 ment, height about five feet ten inches, his face of a 

 deep bronze colour, approaching nearly to black, his 

 skin soft and smooth, his eyes dark brown, and full 

 of animation, his teeth regular, well set, and white 

 as the purest ivory, his countenance open, but more 

 marked with the habit of reflection than is usually 

 observed in that of the CafFer ; he had the appear- 

 ance, indeed, of possessing in an eminent degree a 

 solid understanding and a clear head. To every 

 question that related to their manners, customs, laws, 

 and various points, he gave without embarrassment 

 or reserve direct and unequivocal answers ; and it is 

 to him I am principally indebted for the little infor- 

 mation I am enabled to give concerning the CafFer 

 nation. His understanding was not more strong 

 than his disposition appeared to be amiable ; he 

 seemed to be the adored object of his subjects. The 

 name of Gaika was in every mouth, and it was sel- 

 dom pronounced without symptoms of joy. Like 

 the Chiefs in the Colony, he wore a brass chain sus- 

 pended on the left side from a wreath of copper 

 beads that encircled his head ; on his arm he had 

 five large rings cut out of the solid tusks of ele- 

 phants, and round his neck was a chain of beads : 

 his cloak was faced with skins of leopards, but he 

 threw his dress aside, and, like the rest of his people, 

 appeared entirely naked." 



Such Gaika appeared in his own country, among 



