13. _Nka_, or cat’s cradle, is well known to the lads and lasses, and many an hour is spent in working out the different designs on their fingers and toes. The following are the names of a few patterns: (1) _Moleki na nkusu_, snare for a parrot, because of its similarity to a snare; (2) _Mwana muntaka_, girl, because of its large, oval shape; (3) _Mwana lele_, boy, because it has a small waist; (4) _Julututu_, spider; (5) _Nkungu_, a triangular pattern. There is a very large number of designs, but some children are more expert than others in forming them accurately and easily. [Illustration: By permission of - Prof. F. STARR. This Design is named Ndako, or House. If the picture is turned upside down the Pitch of the Roof will be clearly seen, the Ridge-pole and Wall-plates. ] [Illustration: By permission of Prof. F. STARR. Called by the Natives: Narrow Roads through the Farms. ] 14. _Nsau ya mai_, or water games, of which the following three are specimens: (1) _Nkoli_ (crocodile). An active boy represents a crocodile, and diving beneath the water tries to catch the feet of his comrades, and others try to capture him. If they succeed in so doing they thereupon pretend to kill him and cut him up; but if he catches a playmate they exchange places. (2) _Tasana_ (to find one another). One dives and remains quiet under the water, while another searches for him. (3) _Munteko_ (game of touch in the water). If one lad fails to catch or touch another, the others sing, “_Otenda tendaka yau nzala ya nkabu_” (You will not grow, you eat greedily, but are always hungry). The boy becomes angry at this taunt, and renews his efforts to catch one of them. The Boloki are good swimmers, great divers, and can remain under the water for a long time; and undoubtedly these water games help them to become so much at home in the river. [Illustration: _Photo by_: _Rev. R. H. Kirkland_ GROUP OF LIBINZA FOLK These men are having a small drinking-bout and a little music. The band consists of one drum, one trumpet, and one iron gong played by the man at the end of the row. ] The elder lads often brought out their thin, well-balanced fighting spears, and having selected a growing plantain with a stalk about 5 inches in diameter, they would stand from 60 to 80 feet away and launch their spears in turn at the stalk. I have seen them pierce the stalk right through again and again. I have tried spear-throwing, and it is not so easy as it looks. There is a knack in holding the spear-haft well down across the palm of the hand, so that the whole force of the arm is conveyed to the spear. The lads, when they saw my poor attempts at spear-throwing, used to say laughingly to me, “Ah, white man, if you would fight us with spears, and not with guns, we would soon wipe you out.”