The Conversation Then Turning On London, And The Way Men And
Carriages Moved Up The Streets Like Strings Of Ants
On their
migrations, Rumanika said the villages in Ruanda were of enormous
extent, and the people great sportsmen, for they
Turned out in
multitudes, with small dogs on whose necks were tied bells, and
blowing horns themselves, to hunt leopards. They were, however,
highly superstitious, and would not allow any strangers to enter
their country; for some years ago, when Arabs went there, a great
drought and famine set in, which they attributed to evil
influences brought by them, and, turning them out of their
country, said they would never admit any of their like amongst
them again. I said, in return, I thought his Wanyambo just as
superstitious, for I observed, whilst walking one day, that they
had placed a gourd on the path, and on inquiry found they had
done so to gain the sympathy of all passers-by to their crop
close at hand, which was blighted, imagining that the voice of
the sympathiser heard by the spirits would induce them to relent,
and restore a healthy tone to the crop.
During this time an interesting case was brought before us for
judgment. Two men having married one woman, laid claim to her
child, which, as it was a male one, belonged to the father.
Baraka was appointed the umpire, and immediately comparing the
infant's face with those of its claimants, gave a decision which
all approved of but the loser.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 312 of 767
Words from 85406 to 85659
of 210958
