864 
THE ASSEMBLY. 
13 July, 
will not allow him thus to decorate his narrative, while conscience 
whispers that he ought to tell a plainer tale. 
At this time the principal remarks which were made by the 
assembly, were merely to inform me that they had for a length of 
time been expecting me at Litakun : to which I replied, that as I had 
long felt a strong desire to become acquainted with them, it was 
never my intention to return home till I had visited their town. 
Serrakutu rejoined, that I spoke very rightly, and he was glad to 
hear me say so. As MattTvi seemed so little inclined to speak, I put 
myself on a level with him, by merely saying to him that I was come 
to see him : to which he replied by one or two words expressive of 
approbation and assent. Muchiinka was much pleased in pointing 
out to me the different relations of Mattivi, who were standing by 
us: he spoke to every one in his usual and animated manner, and 
might have been taken for one of the most important personages, 
if men's importance were to be measured by their confidence. Yet 
it was not the confidence of presumption : it was not in the smallest 
degree wanting in due respect towards them. 
Our interview had thus lasted about ten minutes, when the 
Chief, addressing himself to me, said he wished that we should sit 
down. We were then standing near my waggons, in an open space 
between the houses. I expressed my desire to do as he wished ; but 
remained on my feet till he should first be seated. Seeing however 
that he waited for me, I sat myself down upon the ground, in the 
African manner ; and immediately he did the same, placing himself 
opposite to me ; while tlie different members of his family, and the 
kosies or subordinate chieftains *, formed round us a circle two or 
three deep ; the rest of the people still continuing standing, as close 
as it was possible for them to crowd together. The engraving at the 
head of the chapter (page 358.) will give some idea of this scene 
The Chief still preserving his taciturnity, Serrakutu assumed 
* I here use the word chieftain, as the nearest to my meaning; although to some 
persons, it may possibly seem to express too much : but the sense in which it is to be 
understood may easily be discovered from my explanation of the word Icosi^ at pages 
272. 347. and 348. 
