originality in the dispositions of the folds. Though attired in this
barbarous guise, I did not, of course, dispense with my trousers, which,
being black, contrasted somewhat oddly with my primrose-coloured ki ton,
as they call the smock, and the dark violet clamis, or plaid. When the
natives do not go bareheaded, they usually wear a kind of light, soft
wideawake, but this. I discarded in favour of my hat, which had already
produced so remarkable an effect on their superstitious minds.

Now I was dressed, as fittingly as possible in the circumstances, but I
felt that my chief need was a bed to lie down upon. I did not wish to
sleep in the bath-room, so, taking my torch from the stand in which I had
placed it, I sallied forth into the corridors, attired as I have
described, and carrying my coat under my arm. A distant light, and the
noise of females giggling, which increased most indecorously as I drew
near, attracted my attention. Walking in the direction of the sounds, I
soon discovered the two young women to whose charge I had been committed
by the chief. They appeared to be in high spirits, and, seizing my arms
before I could offer any resistance, they dragged me at a great pace down
the passage and out into the verandah. Here the air was very fragrant
and balmy, and a kind of comfortable "shakedown" of mattresses, covered
with coloured blankets, had been laid for me in a corner. I lay down as
soon as the sound of the young women's merriment died out in the
distance, and after the extraordinary events of the night, I was soon
sleeping as soundly as if I had been in my father's house at Hackney
Wick.



V. A STRANGER ARRIVES.