5 7 8 WHISTLES. — THE KETSI. — UMBRELLA OF FEATHERS.
in this and in many other things, as a matter of mere curiosity, but
not of interest.
They frequently wear suspended from their necklace, a whistle;
either of ivory, as the second of these figures; or of wood, as that on
the left, the string of which is decorated with iron beads. They
are sounded in the same manner as the reed-pipe *, and give a shrill
tone, well suited for the purpose of making signals to persons at a
distance: they were said to be used also on their elephant-hunts. In
short, whatever article is of frequent use and of light weight, is fastened
to the neck.
The ketsi (kaitsi) or bag, hangs by a long cord across one shoulder,
and is usually taken with them when they leave home, or go on a
journey: in this they carry any thing which cannot conveniently be
slung about the neck; and as it hangs as low as the hip, and sometimes
much lower, it is virtually the same as a pocket.
* Which has been already described at page 410.
FEATHER-STICK. —MODE OF PROCURING FIRE. 5 7 9
In hot weather they sometimes carry an umbrella made with
ostrich-plumes fixed round a small circular piece of stiff hide through
the centre of which a long stick passes and forms the handle. The
whole apparatus has precisely the form of our parasols, and differs
only in its materials ; but has an exceedingly elegant appearance.
The smaller black feathers which cover the wings and body of
that bird, are applied to a very different, but equally useful, purpose.
They are tied round a thin stick of the size of the shaft of a hassagay,
Which is thus covered for two or three feet along the upper part of
its length; their points turning outwards. This feather-stick often
renders the natives important service when hunting or attacking the
larger and more ferocious wild animals. If in approaching too near,
these creatures should suddenly turn upon them, their only chance
of escaping, is by immediately fixing the feather-stick into the
ground, and taking to flight. As this apparatus is always carried in
a manner to be most conspicuous, the animal, seeing it standing up
before him, mistakes it for the man himself, and vents his fury upon
it : by which stratagem the man gains time, either to escape to a
place of safety, or till his companions come up to his assistance.
In this manner the life of one of my Hottentots was once saved
from an enraged rhinoceros.
When they are on a journey, and often at other times, they
carry suspended from their neck, a larulo or stick for procuring fire.
Nothing can be more simple, as it consists only of two sticks about
six inches long and not so thick as a finger. On the side of one of
these, several round hollows, although one would be sufficient, have
been cut out for the purpose of receiving the end of the other stick.
When they have occasion for fire, either for cooking their food or for
lighting their pipe, they place the hollowed stick on the ground and
hold it steady by pressing the foot upon one end : some dry wood is
then scraped into one of the holes, and the end of the other stick inserted
or placed perpendicularly in it ; while a small quantity of combustible
matter, such as dry grass, is heaped close round the hole: the
perpendicular stick is then twirled round between the palms of the
hands, with as much velocity as possible ; and by continuing this
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