Notable Voyagers, From Columbus to NordenskioldKingston, William Henry Giles
History
Notable Voyagers, From Columbus to Nordenskiold
Kingston, William Henry Giles
Explorers; Voyages and travels
In a short time a handsome man of great stature was seen approaching,
who from his plumed head-dress and a coat of rich skins which he wore,
reaching to his waist, was shown to be their King. In front marched a
fine-looking man of large size, carrying a heavy black club, to which
was suspended two feather crowns and three chains of great length, made
of bone highly polished, and a bag containing _tabak_.
He was accompanied by some tall warriors, who formed his body-guard,
their head-dresses and coats being very similar to those of the King.
They all had their faces painted, some with white, others black, and
others of various colours, each man carrying in his hand a gift of some
sort. Behind these came a concourse of nearly naked people, their long
hair being gathered into a bunch behind, and ornamented with plumes of
feathers in various forms, some having stuck a feather on each side on
the front of their heads, which looked like horns.
Last of all came the women and children, the women carrying, hung round
their necks in front, baskets of _tabak_ and roots which they called
_petah_,--no doubt the potato,--and boiled fishes. Their baskets,
formed of dried grass, were neatly woven, the edges ornamented with
mother-of-pearl and shells; while on the sides were interwoven red
feathers in various devices. So fine were these baskets that they would
hold water.
As the _cortege_ approached they struck up a loud chant, to the measured
time of which they marched forward. As they got nearer, after a shout
of welcome had been uttered by the entire concourse, the sceptre-bearer
advanced, and in a manly voice commenced an oration, prompted by a
companion, and at the conclusion, according to the rule, they all
shouted "Oh!" to signify "Amen."
The King himself then, accompanied by both men and women, the children
only being left behind, with stately step came down the hill. On
reaching its foot, close to the fort, the sceptre-bearer commenced in a
slow measure a dignified dance, keeping time to a chant or song which he
began; then the King and his guards and every other person joined in the
song and dance, the women also dancing, but not singing. In this way,
dancing and singing, they advanced close up to the fort.
So satisfied was Drake that these performances were friendly, that he
allowed them freely to enter the fort. When the women approached with
their offerings, it was seen that blood was streaming from their bodies,
their faces, and necks.
They now requested Drake to sit down, when both the King and his chief
men made long orations, and these the English understood to signify that
they desired to place the country and everything they possessed at the
feet of her Majesty the Queen. They were still further convinced of
this when the King--the rest singing a joyful song--placed the crown on
the Admiral's head, and threw the bone chains which had been brought
round his neck, addressing him as "_Hioh_."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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