distant village; but, said he, “ 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.” He generally had two
or three spare men, who alternately acted as guides
and ponies, while one of his wives invariably accompanied
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 | however,
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.
I t 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 determined.
Accordingly my horse Tetel was brought, and
Katchiba was assisted upon his back. The horse
recognising an awkward hand, did not move a step.
“ Now then,” said Katchiba, “ go on ! ” but Tetel, not
understanding the Obbo language, was perfectly ignorant
of his rider’s wishes. “ Why won t he gor %
KATCHIBA AND HIS HEBE ON A JOURNEY.
inquired Katchiba. “ Touch him with your stick,
cried one of my men; and acting upon the suggestion,
the old sorcerer gave him a tremendous whack with
his staff. This was immediately responded to by Tetel,
who, quite unused to such eccentricities, gave a vigorous
kick, the effect of which was to convert the sorcerer
into a spread eagfej flying over hi-8 h^ad, and landing