The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-06-05
A BADLY SCARED KING.
He Could Hardly he Induced to Draw Near
and Accept the White Mans Presents.

ana ACCEPT tuc SSnhe "uu'e Trcsout8s
Mr.. J. Theodore Bent. whose studes among
the remarkable ancient ruins that have been
found in Mashonaland have been described In
The Sun. tells. in his report. of interesting
experiences in the country OF the big chief
Mtoko. who lords 1t over an out-of-the- way
region in tho northeast corner OF Mashona-
land that has been visited by only one or two
white men and Is very little known. No white
woman had ever been in this region. and con-
scquently MIR. Bent's wife created undisguised
astonishmont among the natives. At every
village the people. and particularly the women.
crowded around her. The greatest wonder
was excited when she took down her hair and
showed its length. The report OF the wonder
ful phenomenon travelled much faster than the
party did. so that when Mrs Bent arrived at a
new town she was Instantly greeted with cries
OF Hair Hair" On more than one occasion
supernatural powers were attributed to her.
The little party went to King Mtoko's big
town under the most favorable circumstances
apparently. for they were bearers of a
present from the South African Company.
made up chiefly OF inconsequential tribes. but
the whole being worth 5000. The distance
from Fort Sal sbury to Mtoko's town is l2O
miles. through very fine mountain country.
The party when they reached the krnnl OF the
edge OF some fine timber about u quarter OF u
mile from the kranl. In spite OF their presents
ana their manifest good will. they wero
leremitorily ordered by the angry ma
yl ns to ts0r retire at least mile The
until he had consulted his sub-chicls. had
withdrawn precipitously to n cave. IIont and
his party were n little indignant over the Site
assigned TO them for camping ground, but
they sent few presents to the King rs II sam
pie Of the treasures he was to receive.
Tho King consented to visit tho camp and
receive the gifts the next morning. He came
with exceeding caution and with about nifty
armed men. stopping for palav"rs evcry quar-
tor OF n mile. and finally waiting for fully an
hour before he would consent to enter tho
camp, He wanted Bent to send the presents TO
th" King wanted the presents he must como
In nerson. So he cane actually trembling
with fright and affirming that he dare not re-
cove the presents because the white woman
had been seep to bewitrh them by sprinkling
water on them. The disp.ay q q M uniform o.
knives, and other tempting objects. hnaly got
the better OF his fear aud he graciously con-
scented to receive them. though he did not re-
gain his conposure duilgs the interview and
declined 10 sit on any OF Mr. Bent'S rugs.
The cause of Mtokos shyness was ascer-
had visited the King and signed with him the
agreement with the south Africa Company.
his father had died. aud he believed that the
white woman had Seen sent to bring about his
| own end.
they work n.y., days and the sixth is proclaim
ed by the chief ns a holiday, on which they re-
main idle and get drunk. The holiday. how.
ever. continues only during the period OF hard
work. and probably arises from the recognition
of the value OK rest In time OF laboI. -