stands in a woody hollow on the first of the three terraces of the
Manganja hills, and, like all other Manganja villages, is surrounded by
an impenetrable hedge of poisonous euphorbia. This tree casts a deep
shade, which would render it difficult for bowmen to take aim at the
villagers inside. The grass does not grow beneath it, and this may be
the reason why it is so universally used, for when dry the grass would
readily convey fire to the huts inside; moreover, the hedge acts as a
fender to all flying sparks. As strangers are wont to do, we sat down
under some fine trees near the entrance of the village. A couple of
mats, made of split reeds, were spread for the white men to sit on; and
the headman brought a seguati, or present, of a small goat and a basket
of meal. The full value in beads and cotton cloth was handed to him in
return. He measured the cloth, doubled it, and then measured that again.
The beads were scrutinized; he had never seen beads of that colour
before, and should like to consult with his comrades before accepting
them, and this, after repeated examinations and much anxious talk, he
concluded to do. Meal and peas were then brought for sale. A fathom of
blue cotton cloth, a full dress for man or woman, was produced. Our
Makololo headman, Sininyane, thinking a part of it was enough for the
meal, was proceeding to tear it, when Chitimba remarked that it was a
pity to cut such a nice dress for his wife, he would rather bring more
meal. "All right," said Sininyane; "but look, the cloth is very wide, so
see that the basket which carries the meal be wide too, and add a cock to
make the meal taste nicely." A brisk trade sprang up at once, each being
eager to obtain as fine things as his neighbour,--and all were in good
humour. Women and girls began to pound and grind meal, and men and boys
chased the screaming fowls over the village, until they ran them down. In
a few hours the market was completely glutted with every sort of native
food; the prices, however, rarely fell, as they could easily eat what was
not sold.