332 KATGHIBA DETERMINES TO RIDE . [chap. viii. 
distant village; but, said lie, “ My people are not very 
good, and perhaps they will say that they have none ; 
but if you will lend me a horse, I will ride there, and 
the effect will impose upon them so much, that they 
will not dare to refuse me.” Now, Katchiba was not a 
good walker, and his usual way of travelling was upon 
the back of a very strong subject, precisely as children 
are wont to ride “ pic-a-back. v He generally had two 
or three spare men, who alternately acted as guides 
and ponies, while one of his wives invariably accom¬ 
panied him, bearing a large jar of beer, with which it 
was said that the old chief refreshed himself so copiously 
during the journey, that it sometimes became necessary 
for two men to carry him instead of one. This may 
have been merely a scandalous report in Obbo ; how¬ 
ever, it appeared that Katchiba was ready for a start, 
as usual accompanied by a Hebe with a jar of beer. 
Confident in his powers as a rider across country on a 
man, he considered that he could easily ride a horse. 
It was in vain that my wife had protested, and had 
prophesied a broken neck should he attempt to bestride 
the hitherto unknown animal; to ride he was deter- 
mined. 
Accordingly my horse Tetel was brought, and 
Katchiba was assisted upon his back. The horse 
recognising an awkward hand, did not move a step. 
