T H R E E Y E A R S IN S A V A G E A F R I C A
Two days after asking for an audience I received word
that the King would receive me the following day. Early
in the morning we set out on horseback, Colenbrander and
myself, towards the King’s kraal. We soon came in sight
of a huge kraal surrounded by a strong palisade of tree
stumps about fifteen feet high.
All round hundreds of beautiful cattle were grazing.
Having entered the kraal we came to a first enclosure
full of natives, where we left our horses. We then
entered a second enclosure, about 1 5° f~eet l°ng by go
feet broad — the royal enclosure. A few low huts
stood on one side—the Queen’s houses—and in the
middle of this kind of yard were two waggons which
formed the King’s favourite domicile.
In front of one of these waggons stood a kind of giant,
enormously stout, but broad in proportion and quite
naked but for a number of monkey skins that hung
from his girdle. A piece of coloured material rolled
into a rope was wound round his body, passing below
his breast and round his waist; but so stout was the man
that this entirely disappeared under the folds of his skin,
and could only be guessed by being noticed when he was
seen sideways.
He wore an enormously brimmed soft felt hat. He
held his head erect and looked at you from his great
towering height (he was 6 ft. 3 in. at least) with such an
air of command that it was impossible to mistake him
for anyone else, and it could be seen that he was
accustomed to_ command, and to be obeyed.
I have seen many European and native potentates,
and, with the exception of the Tsar Alexander, never
have I seen a ruler of men of more imposing appearance.
He came forward and shook hands with Colenbrander
and myself. Having asked Colenbrander to explain the
object of my visit, Lo Ben, after being told, enquired
what I wanted.
Through Colenbrander I replied that I wanted nothing;
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