1812. 
KIBBUKIILI, THE CHIEFS WIFE. 
507 
profit by the only opportunity remaining : and in the early part of" 
the morning, some of the natives stole from the hut a few trifling 
things belonging to the Hottentots. 
Serrakutu now became very troublesome by his request for 
beads ; and seemed as though he would not hear a denial : but when 
I offered him tobacco on condition of his sitting for his portrait, he 
soon afterwards left me, although he had given his consent to be 
drawn. 
The Chief's wife Kibbukiili, the mother of Massisan, had, in con- 
sequence of my having a few days before promised to ' put her in the 
book,' dressed herself in her best Nuakketsi hat *, to set herself off, 
as she supposed, to the greatest advantage, and give her an air of 
importance becoming so great a personage. She had been waiting 
in the mootsi the greater part of the morning ; but I had been too 
much engaged to attend to her, till, seeing me preparing for departure, 
she desired Muchunka to remind me of my promise. As I succeeded 
in obtaining as good a likeness of her, as I had of Mollemmi, I was 
rewarded in the same manner with the approbation of the bystanders ; 
who now seemed to think that for this approbation they were entitled 
to some muchuko. 
A kosi brought an ox which he offered me for sale ; and as he 
appeared extremely desirous of exchanging it for beads, I allowed 
myself to treat with him, in order to avoid giving offence : although, 
in consequence of the disputes which had always arisen from those 
transactions, I had resolved to have here no further dealings of this 
nature. Wishing to conclude the bargain at once without dispute, 
and by extraordinary liberality to prevent all disagreement on his 
part, I showed him in payment a quantity of beads, which was twice 
* Of this hat, a representation will be found at the end of the chapter. It was said 
to be a manufacture of the tribe above-mentioned ; and is made, apparently, of some 
species of rush. (Vol. i. p. 263.) The manner in which it is wove together is the same as 
that which is practised by the Caffres Proper, in the making of their milk-baskets. (Vol. i. 
p. 269.) It is held fast upon the head by a thong of leather passing under the chin. 
Among the Bachapins, this hat is not often seen ; and, being of foreign workmanship, it 
' ; considered as too expensive an article of dress for general use. 
3t 2 
