The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-04

satisfaction testified to their appreciation.
Like children at the sight of a new toy,
they never tired OF expressing their de-
light and admiration, and would sometimes
stand for hours and gaze open-mouthed ut
all they saw, watching infinitely the least
movement on board.
Signaling to one grave old man, whose
name was Nganqua, and who appeared to
he of high rank from the respect he ex-
acted from his fellows, l invited him on
board and showed him the engines
and other appointments OF the launch.
But the sight appeared to have a
most depressing effect upon his spirits.
At the display Of each fresh novel;
ty his aspect became more sad and gloomy.
Instead OF the monkey-like delight which
the Others showed he only mournfully
shook his head, and with sad and down
cast mien, returned to his canoe, making
only one lugubrious remark to the inter
prefer, which the latter translated into his
negro English as white man got plenty
sense too much" II was not uttered as u
compliment, but seemed rather an
ejaculation Of despair at the
contrast presented by his own
people TO the wonderful resources of the
~
After-events caused me TO keep vivid
recollection of this scene, when the old
man literally sighed out his remark
''Whlte man get plenty sense too much.
Livingstone records similar instance OF q
man who found life with the whites 30
burdcnsomc, from ITS wonderful contrast
10 his own, that he committed suicide.
III.
The morning following upon tho arrival
of myself and party ut the village was the
time appointed for my visit TO the shore to
hold a palaver with Princess Yicla and her
people. MY first act was TO prepare my
interpreter for the event.
This | knew from experience 20 DO an
almost hopeless task. The vag,rries OF in.
torpreters are proverbial, and mon are
much to be piticd who are forced to settle
political complications when the discus
sions are carried on through these inter
mediaries. To fulfill your desires by
means OF one interpreter Is anxiety enough
but when IL becomes necessary 10 filter
your remarks through three or four of
them, the percoation Is always dangerous
10 the matter in hand and frequently dis
astrous 10 yourself. The process resembles
very much that winter evenings amuso-
ment of juvenile drawing-rooms in which
some occult observation is whispered by
one OF the party In the ear of his neigh
Dor, and thus passed on until II reaches
the last recipient, who has then to declare
aloud the message he has received, which
always turns out TO be ridiculous!y unlike
tho original observation. Interpreters dif-
fer only from this in that they add cmbel-
lishmont 10 misapprehcnsion. They arc
keen critics Of STYLE and, like all critics,
are ever ready to condescendingly place
their superior knowledge nj the service Of
unfortunate authors, frequently forcing
upon them unwilling lessons in the art OF
how not 10 do II. II can easily be- imag-
incd how In an interpreter this condcsccn.
sion becomes particularly annoying. lie
has fixed idea that one never means OK
acily all that one says, aud that 10 speak
strongly IL 60 show ones self deficient in
tact. lie Is therefore kind enough not
only 10 tone your meaning down, and add
10 il extra rhetorical establishment from
the stores Of his own fertile Imagination.
but 10 present IL in such a glise IN 10
cause II TO be unacceptable BY yourself.
His Acknowledgment treats the commit
nication thus received In like fashion. aud
modifies II according TO his own peculiar
ideas. Ultimately the native chief for
whom II is intended receives the white
mans message thus revised and corrected.
and either feels wild desire 10 disem-
bowel and dcvour the proposer on the
spot or gives his consent 10 an act his white
visitor had not the reinotest conception OF
| proposing.
Under these circumstances the prospect
OF political encounter Is not encouraging
and Il was with mind not altogether I'M
cloudcd by anxiety that ! stepped on shore,
accompanied by my netinuc. Making my
way through the narrow, illsmelling alleys
formed by the clustering huts built without
order or arrangement, ! arrived nj tho
center OF the village, whore WINS n circular
open space surrounded by huts, aud into
which the several alleys or streets con-
ycrged.
Here a picturesque and interesting scene
was presented 10 my view. Beneath n
gigantic baobab, the fciish-trce Of the vii
lagc, wherein were cnshrincd the ,liscm-
bodied spirits Of departed chiefs, the whole
population Of the place had hal assembled.
| Squatting upon their launches within
the limited space 81 shadow cast by the tree
were scmicircular scrricd ranks OF dusky-
| skinned female chiefs, male warriors armed
and slaves OF all degrees. The female
chiefs were seated In the front rowr, and
comprised women Of all ayes from undo.
yclopcd youth TO full maturity. all Of
whom were robust and well formed,
withered scnility being remarkable By It's
absence. Each wore round her shapcly
neck a heavy brass collar, while smaller
brass ornaments adorned the wrists and
ankles. The general effect was extremely
picturesque in It's simplicity. The sunlight
glancing through the branches played upon
their flashing metal ornaments, gave an
added brightness 30 their glistcning eyes,
and made fccting effects OF light and
shadow on their smooth and shining
bodies. With lips hall parted In anticipa.
ton, and restless tongues staying for a mo-
ment their ccaselcss chatter, they await
my approach; curiosity, the one generally
perfected feminine attribute, compelling
silence, the quality deemed most distaste'
ful 20 the feminine mind. Round the out
skirts OF the assembly swarmed the chill
drcn. Some, rolling their bodies In the
sand, sprawled about in all attitudes
others, half In fear, drew closer 10 the pro
tecting shadow OF their mothers, theil
widc-opcned eyes rejecting the curiosity
OF their elders.
In the center Of the front rank, ant
more forward than the rest, sat Princes
Yicla upon native stool, awaiting the ar
rival OF the mundcli. | stepped up 10 her
and we greeted each other Ia the natiy'
fashion by clapping our hands together
twice, and utiering the conventional form
! ~ aalfttaffon uMhofa fnl,olafN fonod