A MOVE TO MARANIT. 
251 
upon as a huge straggling city, one vast capital of 
lints and gardens, equally inhabited and cultivated 
throughout its extent. This little territory is more or 
less completely surrounded by natural defences—in¬ 
deed the girdle of ravines and cliffs has formed the 
state by giving security to its inhabitants—but there 
is almost always one easy means of approach which 
has been left open by Nature, and that is, therefore, 
strongly fortified by man. Consequently nearly all 
these tiny Caga kingdoms have their “door” of entry, 
which is at all times strongly guarded, and often serves 
as a pretext for toll. In my case, however, as an 
honoured guest of the chief, I was not asked for any 
“ gate-money,” and the guards on the farther side of 
the barrier invited me cordially to enter freely. This, 
in spite of goodwill on their part, was not easy of 
accomplishment. The opening through which I was 
expected to pass was a narrow delta-like slit or 
tunnel about three feet high, three feet broad, 
and six feet long. Through this I had to wriggle 
awkwardly, and consequently entered Maranu in the 
attitude of the Enemy of our race when punished for 
the fall of man. However, as this entailed no humi¬ 
liation in the natives’ eyes, and as prince and peasant 
quitted and entered their precincts in the same manner, 
I took it very good-humouredly, picked myself up, 
dusted my habiliments and smiled beamingly on all 
around. The smile was returned with many a broad 
grin, but as yet no word of greeting passed their lips. 
They simply sat on their haunches and stared at me. 
None of them, except two or three who had acted as 
my guides, had ever seen a white man before, and 
they wanted to examine the marvel visually before ex¬ 
pending their energies in talk. However, I was not 
