[9] It is characteristic of Native Law that it throws all responsibility on Superiors. In illustration of this principle I may mention an application of it that occurs very naturally to these natives, and which they have urged upon me again and again. When I spoke to them of a day of judgment they remarked, “On that day we shall plead that we are the white man’s sons, and you, father, will not forsake your children”. [10] Stanley in _How I Found Livingstone_, mentions that the natives in Unyanyembe, on killing an enemy, eat “the skin of the forehead, the lower part of the face, the forepart of the nose, the fat over the stomach and abdomen, the genital organs, and a bit from each heel”. Hence we see that African tribes, although living far apart, practice similar forms of mutilation. [11] These names happen to be real, but are used only as counters. [12] The word for _people_ is among some of these tribes _antu_, among others _wandu_, among others _abantu_, &c., hence has arisen the word Bantu. [13] These statements do not occur consecutively in the authors quoted. [14] Tens five and tens four, to this comes five then four. The inflexion of certain adjectives, and the negative inflexion of the verb, are also felt cumbrous by a European. [15] A certain kind of politeness comes natural to the African. Seldom will he say anything to irritate a neighbour, knowing as he does, that in a country where there is little law, a neighbour may kill him without any scruple, and get absolution by paying over a few slaves. [16] The Africans have a widespread tradition that man sprung in this way from the earth. The world is viewed as a house with three stories. The higher story, the region of the sky, is now occupied by Mulungu, and the sun, moon, &c. We inhabit at present the second story, but we came originally from “the first flat”. But all races did not come at the same time. According to the Kafirs, the white man staid till he cast off the skin of imperfection—much as a snake casts its skin. When a man dies, “he is summoned by those that are beneath”. This might be explained by saying that he joins the dead who are buried beneath, but Bishop Callaway thinks that such expressions intimate an old faith, now no longer understood, in a Hades or Tartarus. [17] _i.e._, to make a house, grass being a main constituent of a native hut. [18] They postulate that some one died before man could find any being to pray to. This is in accordance with their theology. [19] Of course they think the sun is not bigger than a plate. [20] Or “field” where he raised his food. [21] A good specimen of native truth. The narrator assumes that the children will lie, and that the father will take it as a matter of course.