274 
INVITATION FROM MARK ABB A. 
[1820, 
They have a custom of forming what are called, 
at Lattakoo, Marts ; that is, a particular con- 
nection with a person belonging to another nation, 
so that they reside at each other's houses, when 
visiting the place, and make mutual presents, &c. 
Their method of forming this connection at Kur- 
reechane is by taking each other by the nose, e.g. 
When we were walking across the public place, an 
old captain asked Mr. R. if he would take him by 
the nose, which Avas tantamount to asking if he 
would consent to be his mart. 
A man, said to be Makkabba's principal mes- 
senger, who, though very black, had a most 
respectable appearance, arrived early in the morn- 
ing with an invitation to visit his master. We 
consulted Munameets and Liqueling at the gate. 
The former said we might go, but he would by 
no means accompany us. The latter said, if we 
went, we ought to prepare for going on a com- 
mando with him, as that was his design in invit- 
ing us. 
We concluded that his object in sending for us, 
must either have been to obtain beads, or to take 
us with him on a predatory expedition. Of the 
first we had none, to the latter we were indisposed, 
wherefore we informed tlie messenger, that we 
left Lattakoo with the intention of visiting the Ma- 
rootzee, and could not alter our plan at present. 
