To this, his answer, or rather that of the interpreter, was- simply,
“ That is the same.” By which he meant to say, that I was at
liberty to stay as long as it pleased me, or to depart whenever I
chose. He thus, by confining his reply to my last words, cunningly
avoided giving at our first meeting, any opinion on the other parts
of my speech.
The surrounding multitude were in the highest degree attentive
to all we said ; the eyes of every individual were fixed upon me, and
examined me with the utmost curiosity. As I thought I could perceive
satisfaction in their countenances, I felt perfectly at ease ; but
could not, on viewing the assembly and snatching in the midst of
these transactions a moment to reflect on my situation, a solitary
Englishman wandering among lawless nations in the heart of Africa,
to gratify a desire of beholding human nature in its uncivilized state,
I could not but feel sensible of the risk I incurred.
After sitting thus for about ten minutes, the Chief rose and left
the circle, Serrakutu ordering the crowd to make way for him;
which they instantly did, without confusion or noise. All the rest
remained in their places, and a conversation of the same nature as
before, was renewed between the kosies. A few trifling questions
were put to me, who in my turn put others of as little importance ;
asking if they had many elephants and camelopards in their country,
and if there was much game to be found in the vicinity of the town.
At some intervals little was spoken by any one ; the attention of all
being engaged in watching every motion I made, and in observing
my features.
In five minutes the Chief returned. The crowd opened a passage
for him, as before ; but no one rose or quitted his seat : he stepped
between the chieftains, and took his place within the circle. He had
risen and gone into the house, for the purpose of fetching a small
calabash, of milk ; which, as soon as he was seated, he offered to
me. He said nothing, but intimated by his motions and looks
that it was presented as a testimony of friendly feeling towards
me. Accordingly, I took a part of it ; during which ceremony,
Serrakutu, Mollémmi, and Muchunka, continued talking, while thè
rest of the assembly and the crowd, in silence rivetted their eyes
upon me, with looks of uncommon interest and surprise ; as a
great number of them, there is no doubt, had never before beheld
a white man.
As I conceived it would not have been decorous to have returned
any part of this present, I gave the remainder to Juli that he
might set it in the waggon; for on looking round at the crowd I at
that moment discovered him close to me. My own men had been
completely excluded from m e, but he, not yet knowing whether my
reception was friendly or not and becoming anxious for the result,
had thus forced his way to his master’s side.
After this we continued sitting; but no further conversation
took place between us. At length Serrakutu asked me to give him
some tobacco ; but, though I had put some in my pocket for occasional
distribution, I declined giving him any at this time, as I feared
that some confusion might arise, should all the others make the
same request, and as I knew that the quantity I had about me would
not suffice for the whole assembly if I began to give a piece to each.
I answered him, that until the Chief had received that which was
intended for him, it would not be correct to make a present to any
one else; and he expressed himself satisfied with my excuse.
That we might not sit silent and unemployed, I opened my
snuff-box, and held it towards Mattivi, who took two thirds of its
contents, and returned it to m e: but, as I was sure that he would
be better pleased with three thirds, I put the box again into his hand,
and found that I had not mistaken his feelings. He emptied the
whole into the hollow of his hand and drawing from its sheath, the
knife which hung from his neck, he, with the point of it, distributed
a small quantity to each of his family and to all the chieftains who
sat in the inner circle, reserving for himself no larger share than he
had given to any of the rest ; a display of generosity to which he
was induced by the presence of the assembly, On this, a general
muff-taking ensued, in the manner already described; but the quantity
which each received, was not sufficient to produce that strong
effect, nor even an inclination to sneeze.
On asking Muchunka privately if this would not be a proper