第11部分 (第6/7頁)
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ld the cattle in times of danger。 The chief’s kraal is at the top and fenced off。
We went into the principal hut and partook of refreshments in the shape of Kaffir beer。
Next morning Pagate gave a war dance; which is one of the most strange and savage sights I ever saw。 It was not very large as they only had a day’s notice to collect the warriors; however some five hundred turned up。
The dance was held in front of our camp。 First arrived a warrior herald dressed in his war…plumage; ox…tails round the shoulders and middle; a circlet of some long white hair round the right knee; a circlet round the head from which arose a solitary plume of the Kaffir crane; in one hand the large white ox…hide shield and in the other his assegais; which however were represented by long sticks; assegais not being allowed at these affairs。
This gentleman was acpanied by a little old woman who rushed about shrieking like a wild thing。 He sang the praises of his chief。
“Pagate! Pagate is ing! Pagate the son of —— who did ——; the son of —— who did ——;” and so on through some scores of generations。
“Pagate’s soldiers are ing! Pagate’s soldiers who drink the blood of their enemies; who know how to kill! Pheasants for whom no other pheasant ever scratched” (i。e。 who could look after themselves); and so on。
Then he retired。 Presently the warriors arrived in panies singing a sort of solemn chant。 Each man was dressed in his fierce; fantastic war…dress。 One half wore heron plumes; the rest long black plumes; each pany had a leader and a separate pattern of shield。 They formed themselves into a half…square looking very fierce and imposing。 Each pany as it arrived caught up the solemn war…chant; which was sung in perfect time and was the most impressive