Richard Galbraith, Mariner Part 6

I speedily answered no, to this dangerous accusation, and pointing to my tattered clothes explained how the sea had torn me and them. Then I begged him to tell the great chief how I threw myself upon his mercy and hospitality trusting that he would not treat as an enemy a poor shipwrecked mariner such as I, who really was not one; and that could he pa.s.s me over to an European settlement, I should be sincerely grateful; but if he kept me prisoner, he must--I would bow to his decree, yet I hoped he, so brave a warrior, would not think it necessary to take my life, as my coming on the coast was, no fault of mine, neither was it to do him wrong.

I made my words and manner as eloquent as I could, and fancied even before my speech was interpreted to him that I had made an effect.

With much anxiety I listened for the reply. It came--

"The Great Elephant says he cannot send you to a settlement. They are far distance with much bush, much danger between--you must remain his prisoner. If you are peaceful, in his great mercy, he gives you your life; if not, you must die."

Upon this I knelt and bowed low in token of grat.i.tude, then awaited what was to come next, which was that the following day the chief and his councillors would hear me give an account of the land I had come from, meanwhile, my place must be with the "boys," who should be ordered not to ill-treat me, but who also should receive positive commands to pierce me with their a.s.sagais the instant I showed the least intention of escaping. Again I made my obeisance, and rising, prepared to take my leave with my guards. I once had it on my lips to mention the close proximity of my companions, yet, on second thoughts I remained silent, for despite my present good luck, I felt certain that the least thing might prove my death-warrant with the great chief, such as a raid of the Dutch Boers, of whom by their desire to know if I were a spy of theirs, and the frequent repet.i.tion of the name, I fancied they stood in no small dread.

Therefore I held my tongue, as I certainly did not feel very easy in my mind in regard to my ultimate fate.

The "boys" I found to be, not boys in years, but the unmarried men of the tribe, who had separate huts to themselves. Conducted by my guards into one of these, I was instantly surrounded by the "boys" who never seemed as if they could look at me enough. The inspection was anything but pleasant; and seeing that the interpreter had accompanied us, I ventured to say I was suffering both from hunger and thirst, whereupon I had handed me some sour clotted milk, termed amasi, some maize, and a liquid which pa.s.ses there for beer. Eagerly I drank the latter, then having eaten the rest, hunger alone making it palatable, I took possession of the mat allotted me, and feeling from the chief's words, and curiosity to know more about me, that I should at any rate be safe till the morning, soon fell into a sound sleep--as sound rather as the pest of Kaffirland, the fleas which swarm there, would permit--in which the staring "boys" about me, and my strange and perilous position were forgotten in dreams of my pleasant Cornish home among the rocks, and of Katie and my children.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

AN INTERVIEW WITH THE CHIEF--THINGS LOOK BRIGHTER.

I awoke early next morning, earlier even than my companions, who laid slumbering on their mats, or beds made of stems of gra.s.s lashed together. So having nothing better to do, I began to inspect them as they had inspected me, and could not help again admiring the perfect symmetry of their dark forms, accompanied by the easy grace attendant upon every movement of limbs which had never been confined or crippled by clothing.

I have called them, and till that moment believed them to be of negro blackness, but I now discovered my error--dark almost to black they were, but through the skin showed the red blood, giving a peculiar tint, and anything but an unpleasing appearance; it was, however, rather spoilt in my opinion by the excessive quant.i.ty of grease it is the custom in Caffraria to rub into the skin, till they shine like a gentleman's patent leather boot. But on this point, as on many others, Europeans and Kaffirs differ, for the latter, either male or female, regard full dress to be the having the body resplendent with grease, which mode of "dressing" produces, as may be imagined, an exceedingly disagreeable odour in the close confined s.p.a.ces of the huts, the only opening being the low entrance; though in this, as in everything else, there are few things but have their use--for the oiling the bodies is absolutely compulsory to prevent the skin cracking under the rays of the scorching sun.

It was with some little reasoning as to the wherefore that I noticed that though all were similarly attired in respect to anklets, bracelets, and ap.r.o.ns, some wore their black woolly hair in its natural state, while others were shaved entirely, save a ring of matted hair on the top of their heads. This I learned on after enquiry was called the issikoko, or head-ring, an adornment much esteemed and venerated by the wearer, as it proves his social position in his tribe. Before a "boy"

can wear it he has to obtain the permission of his chief; this being obtained, the ceremony commences. An oval ring is made of some kind of sinews, which is fitted on the head, and the hair about it rolled round, being kept thus by the aid of grease and gum, which so mats it together that it is capable of bearing a polish. Then the hair dresser takes the keen edge of the a.s.sagai and shaves off all the remaining hair, leaving only the issikoko; upon which the wearer is made a happy man, it being, according to the Kaffir mind, the greatest ornament he could possess, and a warrior would sooner lose his life than his head-ring. It also has its uses, for on occasions of ceremony or war expeditions it forms an excellent place to stick in the feathers which a Kaffir is always profuse in using for his head-gear, especially those of the peac.o.c.k when they can be procured. Besides this, in domestic life the issikoko always holds the wearer's snuff spoon, of which I shall speak further on.

I had barely ended my inspection, and was beginning to think with some anxiety of what the day would bring forth, when my companions awoke, and, having no clothes to put on, were not long over their toilet, so were quickly ready for the first meal, that consisted of amasi and maize made into a kind of porridge.

This repast made me acquainted with another Kaffir custom, and not a pleasant one.

The large pot containing the porridge is placed in the centre, the partakers sitting round it, when, to prevent one getting more than another, they _all use the same spoon_; thus the first plunges it into the porridge, brings it out as full as it can be, gulps down the contents, then pa.s.ses the spoon to his neighbour.

As I had from a child adapted myself to the rocks, to the sunshine, to the ocean and to its storms, so did I try to do with these people among whom fate had cast me, and sitting on the floor making one of the circle I so strove to imitate them, that I soon might have pa.s.sed for a Kaffir myself, save for the colour of my skin and dress.

The sour amasi--the natives never use fresh milk, calling it indigestible--was at first anything but pleasant; but I determined to make as good a meal as I could, not knowing when I might get another.

Scarcely had I finished when two or three, evidently Kaffirs of distinction, appeared, and notified by signs that I was to follow them.

I immediately did so, and crawling out of the hut was again conducted to the chief Metilulu's presence.

This time, however, the interview was not to take place in the hut, but an open s.p.a.ce, where I found him seated, surrounded by his councillors, and with the rough jug containing the beloved joila, Kaffir beer, by his side. Indeed, it seemed to me that he never moved without it, and so it proved, eating and drinking being the prerogatives of a Kaffir chief.

Thus they alone of the race are fat.

Metilulu's dress was also different. No doubt he wished to awe me with his appearance. On his head, stuck into the issikoko, were numerous feathers of brilliant hues, some long and erect, others drooping by the side of his dusky face. Fastened round his throat, so as to fall on his chest, were the tails of wild animals, as the leopard; from his waist fell others to the knee, so thickly as to answer the purpose of the Kaffir ap.r.o.n, while hanging from the elbow and the calf of the leg was the long white silky hair of some kind of goat, finally, a kaross or cloak of splendid fur fell from his shoulders.

In his hand he carried an a.s.sagai, while a young Kaffir standing a little behind, held his high oval shield. The councillors' costumes were something similar, though their head-dresses were rather eccentric, and they did not possess so many tails, which can only be procured by killing the animals to whom they belong, and the Kaffir who does _that_, will seldom be found to part with this trophy of his courage.

Being led up to Metilulu, I was told through the interpreter to sit down, upon doing which I was ordered to begin my description of my native land. They had heard of it--a country over there--pointing northward; but they would hear more.

I instantly complied, and gave a glowing account of the power of England, her wealth, and customs. To all, the chief and his councillors listened with the greatest attention, and the only time he expressed incredulity was on my mentioning it to be governed by a Queen.

"A woman!" he e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed, "impossible."

I a.s.sured him it was not so: that four queens had ruled England at different periods.

"If so," he rejoined, of course through the interpreter, "how would you have me believe the nation brave and warlike who could be governed by a woman?"

Such a speech was not surprising, when it is remembered that the Kaffir regards himself as a very superior being to a woman, whom, though termed wife, he knows only as a servant to fulfil his behests, and wait upon him in all minor offices. The only things a Kaffir does being to attend to his beloved cows, which often he values far more highly than his wives,--for polygamy is practised in Caffraria--to hunt, to smoke, and to sleep.

In conclusion, I begged him not to regard me as an enemy, a.s.suring him if he were ever to visit my land that he would be treated as the great man he was; therefore though only a poor sailor, I hoped he would not hold me as a prisoner, but let me learn the habits and manners of his people, in which I took much interest.

I put this half authoritatively as became a native of the great country I had been describing, and half with suitable reverence for the mightiness of him I was addressing.

For some little while he talked with his councillors, and by the constant repet.i.tion of the word "Molonga," which I had discovered to mean "white man," I knew it was about myself. Then through the interpreter, he again addressed me, his speech signifying that lately they had been much troubled by attacks upon their cattle by the Boers, and had at first taken me for a spy of theirs; but if my words were true I should be at liberty to go where I liked about the kraal, during his chiefship's pleasure, and that all they could show me they would; yet should I prove an enemy a thousand a.s.sagais should pierce my body through and through. He ended with a request to know if I had saved anything from the wreck.

I answered I had nothing but the few rags of clothes that covered me, whereupon I saw his little bead-like eyes fasten on my shirt front with a most unmistakeable expression. Glancing down in the same direction, I perceived it was the large pearl b.u.t.tons which had attracted his notice; and having heard something of the cupidity of these tribes for such articles, I instantly plucked them off--no difficult matter--and with those at the wrists, presented them to him, saying I had nothing worthy his acceptance, nor to show the great grat.i.tude I felt for his kind behaviour to me, than those.

With a pleased smile he took them, evidently much delighted, then plucking a string or fibre from some part of his dress, he strung the b.u.t.tons upon it and suspended them round his neck. So proud was the little chief of this new ornament, that I am sure he held his head an inch higher for a good while after.

Then the interview broke up, and I returned to the "boys'" hut to partake of some of the game caught the evening before, now rather high.

I was attended by the interpreter by Metilulu's express orders, and he informed me that an elephant hunt was to take place that afternoon, they having tracked a splendid one, at which the chief had given permission for me to attend if I chose. It may be imagined that I did choose.

Indeed, I was beginning to feel very anxious about my two companions; my position was looking brighter; and I hoped, if they had not escaped and were now upon some eligible point of land from whence they might signal a pa.s.sing ship, that I might come across them, and, if they liked, introduce them to Metilulu and Kaffir life.

On entering the hut dinner was ready, to which I was invited, and found the repast no unsavoury one. When it was concluded I strolled out to wait for the hunt to start, too accustomed now to care for the observation I created. During my wandering I came across a rather amusing little scene to an European.

My approach concealed by a hut, it was as I glanced round it to windward that I was a witness of the following custom:--Leaning against the side, my white face concealed by the skull of a cow fixed on the thatch--stay, before going further, let me for a moment digress, and explain why these skulls, to which I have twice referred, are here. I have already remarked upon the great love of the Kaffir for his cows. All his ambition is to possess them; dreadful frays take place because of them; and stealing, or, as the Scotch term it, "cattle lifting," is very prevalent; yet at some ceremonies, or when vanity, which exists in these uncivilised regions as elsewhere, steps in, the owner of the kine will kill a cow to entertain his friends; but to show that he did once possess, and was rich enough to spare it, he keeps the skull to place upon the thatch of his hut. Thus the residence of a chief, who is rich in cattle, has often several of these--I must say hideous adornments.

But to go back to what I saw.

I had observed two Kaffirs advancing, and had drawn back, not anxious to meet them, when abruptly they came to a halt, and with all the gravity imaginable squatted on the ground. I was turning away, thinking I might disturb some private conference, when I perceived--for I was on the watch for everything peculiar--one of the Kaffirs take from his ear a kind of little bottle, and from his issikoko an ivory spoon with a round bowl. This he filled completely with snuff from the bottle, and afterwards pa.s.sed it to the other, turning his head away, according to Kaffir etiquette, so that he might not appear to watch the quant.i.ty taken. His companion--not sufficiently rich, I suppose, to own a spoon--poured some on the palm of his hand, which he worked to a conical shape to fit the nostril, whereupon the two inhaled the luxury without losing a grain; which no sooner had they done than, not to my surprise, considering the enormous heap of the pungent powder they had taken, large tears began to roll down their cheeks. But this was not all. As their eyes overflowed, with their thumb-nails the Kaffirs made a channel down each cheek for the water to have free course to the corners of their mouths, and there they sat in solemn state, enjoying, as they really do, their snuff.

The sight, however, was so ludicrous to my English notions, that I had to beat a rapid retreat, lest by a burst of uncontrollable laughter I might betray my presence. I hurried round the other side of the hut, and came full upon the interpreter, who announced that the hunting party was prepared to start.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

A VISIT TO THE CATTLE--A KOODOO HUNT--MY POSITION IS RATHER IMPROVED.

The interpreter, had been coming in search of me, and I was no little pleased to meet him, for we got on very well together. Whether Tugela's--that being his name--stay in the colonies had given him a liking for white men, or he desired to practice the language, I cannot tell, but certainly he was unremitting in his attentions, and I have to confess that I should never have witnessed many of the curious customs of Caffraria which I have now the pleasure of relating but for his kind aid; as a proof of this even at the present moment the young fellow had sought me out, that I might be a witness to the peculiar and cruel--but of the latter the Kaffir thinks little, being apparently incapable of understanding the suffering of others--practice of training the horns of the cattle.

In Tugela's company, therefore, leaving the snuff-takers to enjoy the powder to their hearts' content, or rather _boxes' contents_, we proceeded to the isibaya, or enclosure, within the kraal. The place was full of the beloved oxen. The affection experienced for them, however, as I before remarked, does not keep the poor animals from being cruelly tortured, as I speedily found, when, from an advantageous position, I beheld the following scene.

The place was full of cattle, and I had the opportunity of noticing the peculiarities of these animals. Smaller than ours, their horns take the most eccentric shapes, some being bent downwards, curving back even to the head again; others curled outwards, while some of the cattle appeared to possess four, nay, eight horns.

I might, and no doubt should, have thought this a natural production, had I not witnessed the following. Those creatures which I have mentioned were browsing at pleasure, but a large number of calves were collected together, surrounded by "boys" and men; these were armed with knives and roughly made saws, with which, to my astonishment, they were cutting and sawing the horns, tender and soft as yet, owing to the age of the miserable animals. I could not help showing my surprise, and questioning Tugela upon it. He smiled, perhaps at my bad taste in not admiring the appearance it produced, and most decidedly laughed at my commiseration of the pain the poor brutes must suffer, he, like all the Kaffirs, appearing to think nothing of this. "See," he said, directing my attention to one group, where a Kaffir was holding the nose of a calf, while another with a saw was sawing a cross on the top of the sprouting horns, "now, when they grow there will be four of them at each side of the head, instead of one."

The Kaffir belief of the beauty this training gave to the animal was certainly not mine; and, seizing an opportunity, I strolled off to the other side of the isibaya. But, it seemed, I had got from the frying-pan into the fire; for, to my horror, I came upon a group of natives literally catting strips of hide from the face and neck of the wretched oxen, so as to hang down before them, bleeding now, but which I learned would, when dry, become a fringe, enhancing, according to their idea, the animal's charms. I have no doubt my young readers will find it difficult to credit this barbarous custom, as in their case, so perhaps should I, had I not really witnessed it. As a mother takes pleasure in decking out her baby with gay ribbons and fine laces, so does the Kaffir cut the horns into eccentric shapes, and strip portions from the hide and dewlap of the animal, both from very love of the recipient.

I must admit, though not a member of that truly excellent Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, that I grew rather sick at the sight, and was not sorry to see Tugela coming towards me--evidently, from the expression of his features, the bearer of some intelligence.

"Something else to see, perhaps," I thought; "I trust it will be of a more amusing character than this."