318 
KAT CHI BA'S DIPLOMACY. 
[chap. VIII. 
a knowing old diplomatist, and he times his demands 
with great judgment. Thus, should there be a lack of 
rain, or too much, at the season for sowing the crops, 
he takes the opportunity of calling his subjects together 
and explaining to them “ how much he regrets that 
their conduct has compelled him to afflict them with 
unfavourable weather, but that it is their own fault. 
If they are so greedy and so stingy that they will not 
supply him properly, how can they expect him to 
think of their interests ? He must have goats and 
corn. “ No goats, no rain; that’s our contract, my 
friends,” says Katchiba. “ Do as you like. I can 
wait; I hope you can.” Should his people complain 
of too much rain, he threatens to pour storms and 
lightning upon them for ever, unless they bring him 
so many hundred baskets of corn, &c. &c. Thus he 
holds his sway. 
No man would think of starting upon a journey 
without the blessing of the old chief; and a peculiar 
“ hocus pocus ” is considered as necessary from the 
magic hands of Katchiba that shall charm the traveller, 
and preserve him from all danger of wild animals upon 
the road. In case of sickness he is called in, not as 
M.D. in our acceptation, but as “ doctor of magic,” and 
he charms both the hut and the patient against death, 
with the fluctuating results that must attend profes- 
