374. Wanderings in astern Africa. 
with laughter at the use I made of knife and fork, 
but they afterwards acknowledged that it was better 
than using one s fingers. 
By-and-by a cow was presented to us from the 
chiefs herds, and it was slaughtered before I heard of 
its arrival. It proved to be very fine^ beef ; I never 
tasted better anywhere, cow though it was. The 
Wachaga do not present the ox to strangers, except 
as a test of their disposition ; it being believed that 
the acceptance of the male animal indicates warlike 
intentions, its refusal a peaceable spirit. We were not 
subjected to this test. 
The conduct of the Wachaga while the chief was 
present was most decorous ; they evidently stood in 
great awe of him. Instead of standing about us yawn- 
ing and vociferating as the Wataveta and Wataita 
had done, they sat on their haunches close together, 
and were controlled in their behaviour entirely by that 
of their chief. When they had anything to say to each 
other, they spoke in under tones ; but as a rule they 
watched the movements of their chief, and made no 
interruptions. When he spoke, they listened, one or two 
answering for the whole company. " Aye, mange ! " 
"Capital, mange!" ^'Justso, mange!" They laughed at 
all his jokes with the greatest gusto, but became much 
excited when he sneezed. They concurred in all he 
said, and obeyed his commands instanter. When he 
rose, they rose, and the company broke up. When he 
was present, no one of them had dared to address me ; 
but after his departure they came sidling up to me 
with the utmost assurance. /, too, was a chief, 2. great 
chief ; I was more — / was a god ! Their notions of 
the gods, however, are very imperfect, something 
