they jabbered in a
language quite unintelligible to either of us. I then reverted to the
inevitable sign language, giving them to understand that I wished to
sleep with them a night or two; but they still continued to brandish
their spears ominously. Yamba presently whispered in my ear that we had
better not trouble them any further, as they were evidently inclined to
be pugnacious. This was a very exceptional _rencontre_, because I
usually induced the natives to sit down and parley with me, and then I
would produce my mysterious stick. In the event of this proving of
little account, both I and Bruno would without a moment's hesitation
plunge into our performance. It always began with a few somersaults.
Bruno needed no looking after. He knew his business, and went through
his own repertoire with great energy and excitement. The accompanying
barks were probably involuntary, but they were a great help in
astonishing and impressing the natives.

Even in this instance I was unwilling to retire defeated; so suddenly
pulling out one of my little reed whistles capable of producing two
notes, I commenced a violent jig to my own "music." The effect on the
scowling and ferocious-looking blacks was quite magical. They
immediately threw down their spears and laughed uproariously at my
vigorous antics. I danced till I was quite tired, but managed to wind up
the entertainment with a few somersaults, which impressed them vastly.

I had conquered. When I had finished they advanced and greeted me most
heartily, and from that moment we were friends. I had completely done
away with their enmity by my simple efforts to amuse them. For the most
part, this was my invariable experience. The natives were the easiest
people in the world to interest and amuse, and when once I had succeeded
in winning them in this way, they were our warmest friends. This band of
warriors took us back to their camping-ground, some miles away, and
actually gave a great feast in my honour that evening, chanting the
wonderful things they had seen until far into the night. The place where
I met these blacks was a broken, stony, and hilly country, which,
however, abounded in roots and snakes--especially snakes. My hosts had
evidently had a recent battue, or fire hunt, for they had a most
extraordinary stock of food. So completely had I won them over, that I
actually hung up my bow and arrows along with their spears before
retiring to rest. The expr