Thousands Of Cattle,
And Strings Of Women And Children, Sometimes The Result Of A
Victorious Plundering Hunt, Or Else The
Accumulated seizures from
refractory Wakungu, are brought in; for there is no more common
or acceptable offering to appease the
King's wrath towards any
refractory or blundering officer than a present of a few young
beauties, who may perhaps be afterwards given as the reward of
good service to other officers.
Stick-charms, being pieces of wood of all shapes, supposed to
have supernatural virtues, and coloured earths, endowed with
similar qualities, are produced by the royal magicians. The
master of the hunt exposes his spoils - such as antelopes, cats,
porcupines, curious rats, etc., all caught in nets, and placed in
baskets - zebra, lion, and buffalo skins being added. The
fishermen bring their spoils; also the gardeners. The cutlers
show knives and forks made of iron inlaid with brass and copper;
the furriers, most beautifully-sewn patchwork of antelopes'
skins; the habit-maker, sheets of mbugu barkcloth; the
blacksmith, spears; the maker of shields, his productions; - and
so forth; but nothing is ever given without rubbing it down, then
rubbing the face, and going through a long form of salutation for
the gracious favour the king has shown in accepting it.
When tired of business, the king rises, spear in hand, and,
leading his dog, walked off without word or comment leaving his
company, like dogs, to take care of themselves.
Strict as the discipline of the exterior court is, that of the
interior is not less severe.
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