The place was very filthy, having been used as a chicken
and goat house. But here there was no choice. I was
hound to get a comer somewhere, no matter what was its
condition, so we scraped out the goat pen, after which the
dirty savages filed in and squatted about until every available
inch of space was occupied.
Smoking was greatly indulged in, a fire being lit in the
centre of the circle; a fire of this kind being indispensable
for Kaffir comfort, no matter what degree of heat may be
generated. Now and then on these occasions when the
atmosphere savoured too much of Kaffir, I would go out,
and soon all would follow and sit around me, so that it was
impossible to be alone.
All this time I sat in silence, watching Misiri preparing
the supper, and first depriving the two hens of their
cackling lives. This he did in a most expeditious manner,
whipping their heads off and stripping the feathers with
marvellous celerity and in the most dexterous fashion,
suggesting the idea that on more than one occasion he had
found it necessary to deprive a bird of its identity.
Misiri was excessively dirty, and especially fond of hot
nut oil, or venison fat, for sauce. I never failed to have a
qualm of inward emotion, a dread, as it were, of what was
coming as I watched this doughty cTief of the culinary art
working himself into a pouring perspiration over the
mysterious compound, burning his fingers as he attempted
to hold the edge of the clay pot, while the smoke of the
root fire rose in clouds, choking and blinding him. When
at length his operations were over he would place the pot
before me, along with a tin plate and a spoon, the latter
being the only feeding tool left in the outfit. Squatting
before me he would then await results, or rather his share.
The Maravi who were with me now demanded their cloth,
A N a ONI HUNTERS. 89
I having taken the precaution to bring that on with the
advance guard. When in the act of giving it them, second
thoughts passed quickly through my mind.
Was I to pay the cloth promised? If I did, I would
most likely never see them again. If I refused, I would be
accused of deceiving them. I concluded, however, that the
latter was the only plan to ensure the bringing of the
things which were left on the road; therefore I declared
that I could not give them anything but food until their
comrades were here, and all the remaining things were
safely housed.
Great disatisfaction was the result of this decision, but by
dint of unwavering diplomacy I persuaded the refractory
crowd to leave long before daybreak, so that at eventide
they would be back.
A restless and utterly wretched night was passed in our
revoltingly dirty hut, literally teeming with vermin, and
reeking with sickening smells. The place was only eight
feet across, and the blacks crowded in around the smoky
fire which nestled in a small hole in the centre.
Long ere day had dawned the Maravi had left, taking
with them the necessary provisions. I t was three days since
we left the unfortunate Chibanga, so I felt that he and his
companions were by that time knowing, something more
than usual of the pangs of hunger.
During the day some hunting parties arrived, bringing
with them large bundles of dried buffalo meat. I perceived
that these Angoni had not a good show of flint-locks, being
mostly equipped with bows and arrows.
To be ready for any emergencies, I thought it would be
wise to at once interview the headman. After making my
presence tolerable by means of the inevitable gift, I told
him I wished to place all my goods in his hut, as there was