30 UGANDA AND THE EGYPTIAN SOUDAN.

Kaliiira, and very mucli enjoyed being there ; the

people '^ith whom I stayed were very hospitable and

pleasant ; and while indulging in a thorough rest, I

had the opportunity of getting a good insight into the

ordinary life of the people. They seem to have very

little to do ; the men smoke and chat all day, while

the women cook all the food, at which they are very

clever. I had a good many visitors each day, all of whom begged for needles, a few packets of which I

happened to have. The needles which are generally

employed by the people are only thorns, but they

are very expert in using them, and it is really won-

derful to see how neatly they manage to work with

such a rude instrument ; indeed some of their

sewing would compare very fairly with ordinary

English work. One of the men told me I was very

foolish to give away so many needles, for I could

obtain for half-a-dozen " such a fine woman." How-

ever, I was not at all anxious to become owner of

such an article, which would have proved rather an

embarrassing possession ; so I still made presents of my stock.

There were some children who were very friendly

with me, and who amused me by their curious ways. They were very clever at making all kinds of

miniature baskets, etc., out of difi'erent coloured

grasses. They were also making crosses as in the

diagram. They have difi'erent names for the whole

cross and for each arm and the centre. I brought