108 DUFILE TO FATIKO.

round us, mingling with armed men, women, children, dogs, and fowls—an animated scene.

The Shuli chief is an old man with a curious squint; his gala dress consisted of fresh red paint, an antelope skin over the shoulder, and some iron rings. He seemed very pleased with the presents [ had brought for him, gave me in return a splendid elephant’s tusk, and then sent for his better-half, a very old woman, who, however, still appeared to take pleasure in glittering glass beads. When our official discussion was concluded to our mutual satisfaction, I left the old gentleman to indulge in mrissa with his subjects about him, while I took a walk through the little village. I must here remark that Rochama’s proper capital lies about six hours’ journey farther on, beyond the Khor Asa.

The construction of the houses here strikingly reminds one of the Shiluk huts; the huts for girls and boys already mentioned, when speaking of the Madi, are also found here. Votive trees, hung over with skulls, are common, the skulls of dwarf antelopes and rodents being conspicuous among them. At the foot of one of these trees stood a pot with small-leaved Lihaceze ; little pieces of it are laid over traps to ensure success to the trapper. ‘The chief implements are of the usual description, except that the murhakka (grindstones) are neatly encased in clay. ‘The spears only differ from those of the Wanydro in having a broader blade; the shields are oblong, with sides curving inwards, and are made of buffalo hide. The clothing of men and women, their ornaments, &c., are exactly similar to those of the Madi. Dogs and cats were the only domestic animals visible.

As the weather looked threatening, we were obliged to think of returning home. A drink of honey-water was brought me by a black Hebe, and then, accompanied by a large escort led by the chief, we ‘set off. At the khor the whole company took leave of us, and we returned by the way we had come; but rain beginning to fall, we were compelled to seek shelter in the village of Otodngole. On a rock in this place there is a magnificent tree with thick fruit-pods clinging to the boughs, and containing six to seven black, orange-capped, angular seeds, which are used by the natives in the game of mangala.