THE CARAVAN-KRAAL. 



355 



the outer circle is a loose fence of thorn branches, flimsy, 

 yet impassable to breech-less legs, unshod feet, and 

 thin loose body-garments. When a kraal must be built, 

 rations are not served out till enclosures made round 

 the camp secure the cattle ; if the leader be dilatory, or 

 unwilling to take strong measures, he may be a serious 

 loser. The stationary kraals become offensive, if not 

 burnt down after a few months. The Masika-kraal, as 

 it is called, is that occupied only during the rainy 

 monsoon, when water is everywhere found. The vi- 

 cinity and the abundance of that necessary are the main 

 considerations in selecting the situation of encamp- 

 ments. The bark-kraals commence in Uvinza, where 

 trees abound, and extend to the Tanganyika Lake ; some 

 are substantial, as the temporary villages, and may be 

 a quarter of a mile in circumference. The Lakist 

 population carry with them, when travelling, Karagwah 

 or stiff mats of reed and rush ; these they spread over 

 and fasten to a firmly-planted framework of flexible 

 boughs, not unlike a bird's nest inverted, or they 

 build a cone of strong canes, in the shape of piled 

 muskets, with the ends lashed together. It is curious 

 to see the small compass in which the native African 

 traveller can contract himself: two, and even three, will 

 dispose their heads and part of their bodies — leaving 

 their lower limbs to the mercy of the elements — under 

 a matting little more than a yard square. 



When lodgings in the kraal have been distributed, 

 and the animals have been off-packed, and water has 

 been brought from the pit or stream, all apply them- 

 selves to the pleasant toil of refection. Merrily then 

 sounds the breathless chant of the woman pounding or 

 rubbing down grain, the song of the cook, and the tinkle- 

 tinkle of the slave's pestle, as he bends over the iron 



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