Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-04-24
gas an officer With his soldiers.


journey Of three days brought u
to The Luebo river, too large to b
waded. Over this had been built
suspension bridge with long vine
used for ropes aid cables, 1t wa
a rotten, rickety thing over which
but two people could safely pass a
one time. More fresh vines haC
to be woven into it to lessen the
danger of an accident. Some two
hours were spent in crossing, and
that afternoon about three o'clock
We came in sight of the "big
chiefs village. Our WEAKNESS and
thirst were extreme, for we had
walked all day under burning
sun.
Before entering the village a
messenger was sent ahead with a
white flag to announce our APP
rroach, and to see that all was we'll.
With the kings son to lead US, we
approached his private square,
slowly and in line. Presently, the
chief, a heavy set man ciadin
trousers, coat and shoes, presented
himself earring in his hand large
roll, and followed by about thirty
women and children, all singing
and dancing. The chief greeted
us warmly, affectionately putting
his arm around our necks. Hav
ing been seated on a crude chair.
he listened attentively to the re-
ports Of tie several messengers,
who told him in detail everything
from start to fiHisb. The smaller
chiefs bowed humbly before him
and kissed the ground, at the same
time rubbing earth Oh their chests
as evidence of humble submission
before his lordship. This bit Of
ROYAL ceremony die not extend to
the two white messengers of peace
there present.
We were at once presented with
goat, suger cane and eggs. There
we spent four days, preaching and
talking the Gospel as much as pos
sible. Notwithstanding, we were
strongly suspicioned by mary of
the people as being either state Of
ficers in disguise or allies of the
State, and against al such there is
burning hatred, because the SOL
diers had killed many Of their peo-
pie as punishment for Expectations
committed by them. 1t was. there
fore, urged by some of the smaller
chiefs that we all be killed then
and there. Fortunately, we knew
nothing of these murderous desires
until we had left them, our men
having concealed them from us.
The night before our departure
the chief cried out to all Of his VIII
ayers from the capitol hill, that,
though we were "the people of
God" some of the inhabitants sus-
pected that we had hidden other
motives besides those which we had
avowed; and that il we wished to
allay suspicion we should make
covenant with them; katuila redOn-
da. as they say. This means in re.
atty a blood covenant, and one
which even the most treacherOus
and lying savage reveres and hon
ors. He believes that the breach
of such a covenant will be follow
ed by all awful and relentless curse
which pursues the transgressor ev-
en- to his grave. The details of the
covenant vary in different locali-
ties, but generally it is thus; live
sheep or goat is caught and its legs
are broken before it is killed. Thus
may he suffer who breaks this
covenant. The animals blood is
then mingled with few drops
from the hand of each coyenanter.
This is then put with Hesh OF the
animal, and the whole cooked.
Both parties eat and shake hands
the solemn promise is finished.
After due consultation it was de-
cided that for their sakes we make
with them covenant, although we
t,ld them that our word was our
covenant. This was solemn
promise on the part of each that
neither was to betray the other.
The chief then brought out a leop-
ard skin, upon which we were all
To place our feet. So NAV a leon