WE STRIKE INLAND 
other, each arranging to fire a gun if either should 
meet Mavai. As it happened we met Mavai most 
_ opportunely just where the two tracks met, and Sam, 
who had only gone a few yards, was with us in a 
minute. Mavai explained that, as it was already late 
in the day, he would not call his people together, but 
would make arrangements for them to carry for us on 
the following day. 
Mavai, the chief of Epa, is a magnificent autocrat, 
and is proud to be the white man’s friend. He was 
credited with powers of sorcery—hence his extra- 
ordinary influence. He overshadowed me with his 
favour, and commanded his entire village to ‘“‘ carry 
for Parki””—the Epan attempt to pronounce my name. 
Thus I obtained the force I required to take me on- 
wards, and I went, one might almost say, on the 
shoulders of EKEpa—men, women, and children. The 
chief himself shouldered a load, without loss of dig- 
nity, and with great advantage to his royal pocket. 
My princely benefactor was no ordinary man. He 
stood about six feet high. His features were of 
Roman type, his bearing active and alert, his frame 
strong and wiry. Keen eyes looked out of a dark 
copper-coloured visage, which gained by contrast with 
a scarlet coat—a discarded British uniform, his only 
ceremonial garment, donned on occasions of great 
gravity. Such an occasion was the issuing of his 
command to carry for me. With due ceremony he 
mounted a platform erected near his house, and 
assuming the red coat he addressed his assembled 
people with magnificent oratory, emphasising his 
speech by actions. Mavai is a strict disciplinarian, 
87 
