THE EAR INTERIOR.
CHAPTER XIY.
DAYS WITH KING SAKANII.
Strangers in town—Prospects of a beer-drinking bout—The great Chibinga
dance—Native story-telling—Karemba’s tales of the white man and of
his own travels—-Paying off the Inyota—An unexpected gift—Karemba’s
pathetic history—Settling with the “ faithfuls ”—Last glimpse
of them—Bargaining with Sakanii, or Senhor Rubero—Aqua ardiente
iihfeBewitching the lion—Msenga minstrels, dancers, and jugglers—Social
anomalies —- Hut teeming with vermin — A lion attack — Number
of people killed by lions—Viciousness of wolves—The king tells the
history of the town—A great battle—Chuzu’s attack —“ Well, you did
have a lucky escape!”—Settling accounts with Rubero—Characteristics
of the country-—Working for gold—Msenga slaves—Women’s work—
Products and industries—Abnormal lips of Msenga women—Teeth-filing
—Adieu, Chibinga!
“ Well, John, weren’t we in luck catching the king so
soon ? ”
“ Master looks yeree tired.* My gaut, dis is a very beeg
man; he got lots of people! De boys tink de master will
them nauting give. Dey say, ‘ When de king comes he
don’t care for us.’ Dar is lots of peoples here from a town
on de Zambesi, and the peoples of dis town is making
lots of beer.”
Mingling with the regular inhabitants I perceived numbers
of people with their hair done up in many fantastic
* Judging from appearances, King Sakanii doubled my age in a
guess.