t our history was kept before writing was known to us.

Another song, which was a favourite with the young men and maidens of
Katalambula's village, describes what love-making is known to the
Watuta. For this reason only is it valuable, as illustrative of the
mode of marriage. The following verses are sufficient as an example:--

Canst thou love me as I love thee?
Wilt thou not come and live with me?
My father talked with thine to-day,
Thy father did not tell him "Nay."

Said he, "Bring me two score of sheep;
Bring me pombe in pots thus deep;
Bring me ten goats of the best class,
Thy son may take my pretty lass."

I've built my hut of sedgy cane,
The well-thatched roof keeps out the rain,
The floor is spread with river sand,
The latch waits lifting by thy hand.

Thy husband calls, do not delay:
Come to his house ere end of day;
Put now thy hand in mine and come,
Come to Kiranga's heart and home.

Selim and Abdullah heard numbers of these during the period of the
latter's convalescence, and were constantly amused by them. To sit
under the great tree in the centre of the square, to hear the music of
the drums, to hear the songs sung, and to see the people dance, was like
going to a theatrical entertainment with us. Kalulu often sat with
them, but not for long; the exhilarating influence of the music produced
such an effect on his feet and legs, that while listening to it he found
himself unable to restrain them.

As Abdullah got better and became able to move about during the day,
Kalulu used to take him and Selim to the great Maganga, or magic doctor,
to enjoy the conversation of the wise man of the tribe.

This doctor must have been at least eighty years old, for he remembered
Katalambula as a child, and knew Mostana, Kalulu's father, and
remembered the "great, great" King Loralamba, father of Katalambula and
Mostana. This was very old history to Kalulu, who could not conceive
the number of years that had elapsed since Loralamba's death, though the
time could only have been between forty and fifty years. The doctor,
whose name was Soltali, knew any amount of things that no other man
knew. He remembered the time when the Northern Watuta, who now live
north of the Malagarazi River, separated from the Southern Watuta, over
whom Katalambula was chief ruler, for some pique that the younger
brother had against Loralamba. He remembered many wars that had taken
place between