第11部分(第6/7 頁)

ld　the　cattle　in　times　of　danger。　The　chief’s　kraal　is　at　the　top　and　fenced　off。

We　went　into　the　principal　hut　and　partook　of　refreshments　in　the　shape　of　Kaffir　beer。

Next　morning　Pagate　gave　a　war　dance；　which　is　one　of　the　most　strange　and　savage　sights　I　ever　saw。　It　was　not　very　large　as　they　only　had　a　day’s　notice　to　collect　the　warriors；　however　some　five　hundred　turned　up。

The　dance　was　held　in　front　of　our　camp。　First　arrived　a　warrior　herald　dressed　in　his　war…plumage；　ox…tails　round　the　shoulders　and　middle；　a　circlet　of　some　long　white　hair　round　the　right　knee；　a　circlet　round　the　head　from　which　arose　a　solitary　plume　of　the　Kaffir　crane；　in　one　hand　the　large　white　ox…hide　shield　and　in　the　other　his　assegais；　which　however　were　represented　by　long　sticks；　assegais　not　being　allowed　at　these　affairs。

This　gentleman　was　acpanied　by　a　little　old　woman　who　rushed　about　shrieking　like　a　wild　thing。　He　sang　the　praises　of　his　chief。

“Pagate！　Pagate　is　ing！　Pagate　the　son　of　——　who　did　——；　the　son　of　——　who　did　——；”　and　so　on　through　some　scores　of　generations。

“Pagate’s　soldiers　are　ing！　Pagate’s　soldiers　who　drink　the　blood　of　their　enemies；　who　know　how　to　kill！　Pheasants　for　whom　no　other　pheasant　ever　scratched”　（i。e。　who　could　look　after　themselves）；　and　so　on。

Then　he　retired。　Presently　the　warriors　arrived　in　panies　singing　a　sort　of　solemn　chant。　Each　man　was　dressed　in　his　fierce；　fantastic　war…dress。　One　half　wore　heron　plumes；　the　rest　long　black　plumes；　each　pany　had　a　leader　and　a　separate　pattern　of　shield。　They　formed　themselves　into　a　half…square　looking　very　fierce　and　imposing。　Each　pany　as　it　arrived　caught　up　the　solemn　war…chant；　which　was　sung　in　perfect　time　and　was　the　most　impressive