1812. 
THE CHIEF INVITED TO DINNER. 
393 
present unacquainted with the customs of the Bachapins, I had 
followed those of my own country, and hoped that he would be 
pleased with the manner in which I received him. There was little 
need for apology, as he appeared indifferent to ceremony of this kind, 
and regarded all my arrangements as perfectly correct and duly 
respectful. 
The dinner consisted of all which it was in my power to set before 
him, a piece of boiled beef, part of the cow which he had given me in 
the morning, some boiled rice, some melted sheep-tail fat, and some 
salt. I gave to each a knife and fork ; and they made use of them 
with tolerable facility, but more frequently put the meat into their 
mouth with their fingers. Mattivi ate heartily of every thing except- 
ing the beef, and when he was invited to take more, he replied that his 
digestion was bad, and that beef always gave him a pain at his chest. 
This was however only a polite excuse j for the truth was, that the 
meat, being fresh-killed and perhaps old, was exceedingly hard ; and 
I found somp difficulty in practising myself what I was pressing him 
to do. But Serrakdtu was not so fastidious : he feasted plentifully 
and made no complaint. Towards the end of this dinner, Mollemmi, 
Molaali, and Mahiira, joined us, and partook of the beef. My rice 
met the complete approbation of my guests ; who did not desist from 
praising it, till the whole of it was eaten. 
I thought it prudent not to produce any brandy : this I on all 
occasions carefully concealed from the natives, as I feared the conse- 
quences of allowing them to know that, excepting beads and tobacco, 
my waggon contained any thing which could be desirable for them. 
And I confess that it was principally a selfish feeling which prevented 
my offering them any wine: — there was but little remaining, and I had 
often experienced the beneficial effects of half a glass of this, the 
artificial stimulus of which lent considerable assistance in renovating- 
bodily strength which had been too much exhausted by over-fatigue. 
Those who have never been deprived of the use of it, will not easily, 
without similar experience, form a just idea of the value it possesses 
on such occasions. 
Instead of wine or brandy, I presented my guests with tea; 
VOL. II. 3 E 
