opens at the bottom of the hole, while the upper
end projects above the level of the ground. The two horns
are next inserted into the upper end of the earthenware
tube; and the bellows are then fastened in their places, so
that the sacks are conveniently disposed for the hands of
the operator, who sits between them. A charcoal-fire is then
laid in the hole, and is soon brought to a powerful heat by
means of the bellows. A larger stone serves the purpose of
an anvil, and a smaller stone does duty for a hammer.
Sometimes the hammer is made of a conical piece of iron, but
in most cases a stone is considered sufficient. The rough
work of hammering the iron into shape is generally done by
the chief blacksmith's assistants, of whom he has several,
all of whom will pound away at the iron in regular
succession. The shaping and finishing the article is
reserved by the smith for himself. The other tools are few
and simple, and consist of punches and rude pinchers made of
two rods of iron.

"With these instruments the Kaffir smith can cast brass into
various ornaments, Sometimes he pours it into a cylindrical
mould, so as to make a bar from which bracelets and similar
ornaments can be hammered, and sometimes he makes studs and
knobs by forming their shape in clay moulds."[87]

Verily, the day will come when these warlike tribes shall beat their
spears into pruning-hooks, and their assagais into ploughshares, and
shall learn war no more! The skill and cunning of their artificers
shall be consecrated to the higher and nobler ends of civilization,
and the noise of battle shall die amid the music of a varied
industry!

FOOTNOTES:

[68] Livingstone's Expedition to the Zambesi, pp. 216, 217.

[69] Ashango Land, pp. 288, 289, 291, 292.

[70] Western Africa, p. 257 _sq._

[71] Through the Dark Continent, vol. i. p. 489.

[72] Uncivilized Races of Men, vol. i. chap, vii.

[73] Equatorial Africa, pp. 377, 378.

[74] Savage Africa, p. 216.

[75] Expedition to Zambesi, pp. 626, 627.

[76] Livingstone's Expedition to the Zambesi, pp. 307, 308.

[77] Savage Africa, p. 219.

[78] See Savage Africa, p. 207. Livingstone's Life-Work, pp. 47, 48.
Uncivilized Races of Men, vol. 1. pp. 71-86; also Du Chaillu and
Denham and Clappterton.

[79] Savage Africa, pp. 424, 425.

[80] Livingstone's Expedition to the Zambesi, pp