Chapter III. 
would frequently accompany the expedition for days together, 
paying it honour with their cruelly persistent music. 
The Duke, or some member of the expedition chosen to repre¬ 
sent him, would next return the chieftain’s visit and present 
a gift, usually quite moderate in proportion to the value 
received. The dwellings of the chiefs are circular huts, with 
walls of plaited reeds and the usual native roof. The 
interior is divided by curtains into various rooms. The walls 
are adorned with illustrations from European periodicals. The 
floors are covered with mats and skins. There is usually 
a fair supply of chairs and cushions. The whole is clean and 
orderly. The hut is surrounded by several zeribas. In the 
courts between the zeribas are huts for women, slaves, 
soldiers, etc. 
On the first days of the march the need of attending to 
innumerable details, in order to effect the best arrangement of 
the whole and systematize the work of each, left the members 
of the expedition very little time to enjoy the picturesque 
aspects of the adventure. Later on, as each one grew 
accustomed to his special attributions, every hour became a 
source of new enjoyment. 
The most remarkable and changeful spectacle was presented 
by the swarming native camp, with its deafening racket and 
perpetual excitement, dominated by the incessant rolling of 
drums and the inharmonious strains of uncouth musical instru¬ 
ments, the loud cackling of poultry, the bleating of flocks and 
lowing of cattle. Now and again noisy, jabbering crowds would 
surround dancers or wrestlers. Women who had come to 
fetch food for the porters, men from the neighbouring villages, 
small children, even, would remain in camp to add to the 
hubbub and confusion. 
86 
