NATIVE CEREMONY. 
209 
days consecutively at any work ; and should the 
Bilyeh-rupi take it into his head that the Mohs or 
idols are unpropitious, the whole tribe would walk 
off without further notice ; but while engaged, they 
get through a great deal of work, either in clearing 
the ground or removing timber. Each man has with 
him his favourite wife, who carries his food for the 
day; and they all come armed as if for a fight, in- 
stead of to peaceful occupations. The wages are paid 
in tobacco and spirits, and very little suffices. 
We were suddenly startled one morning at Clarence, 
by hearing a slow, sonorous chant, performed as it 
were by one voice of immense power, which struck on 
the ear with the most singular effect. 
On looking in the direction of the sound, we ob- 
served about 200 Edeeyahs or Bubis, armed with 
spears, marching round in a large open space near 
Mr. Scott’s house ; first moving in single and double 
file, then forming into sections with tolerable regu- 
larity ; while at the head stalked the Bota-Kim-o, or 
chanting priest, vociferating from time to time a few 
sentences, with the accompanying noise of a wooden 
rattle (vide African musical instruments), on which 
all present took up the dirge or incantation. Nothing 
could exceed the exact unison in which they joined; 
it seemed truly as if one person with stentorian lungs 
was enacting this extraordinary ceremony. 
We concluded they were meditating an attack on 
the well-filled tobacco and rum casks in the adjacent 
VOL. II. 
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