138 
JOURNEY TO 
[1820. 
begging for snufF, and then for the buttons of my 
coat, that she might hang them to her ears. 
When I expressed a wish to take her with me to 
England, that she might receive education, her 
father said he loved her so much that he would 
not part with her for twenty oxen ; but in a time 
of scarcity he offered one of his children to the 
Missionaries on the condition of supporting her 
with food. The child of a servant they would 
part with for a trifle. 
A captain, when his son is but a few years old, 
generally selects the son of a servant about the 
same age, and who is likely to be of the same 
stature, that they may grow up together as 
friends. The lads thus elevated from servitude, 
when they become men are often permitted by 
their master to wear a captain's ornaments for a 
few days ; and should they perform a particular 
feat on any of their commandoes, they are allowed 
to speak at their public meetings, but are not 
permitted to make any motion. They generally 
take the side of Mateebe at public meetings, en- 
deavouring to defend him from attacks made in 
the speeches of the captains, whom they are at 
liberty to designate as fools. They have liberty 
also to speak against, as well as in favour, of any 
of their customs. 
While Munameets was sitting in the tent in 
the morning, one of his Matchappees came to the 
