There is a peculiar fascination in journeying through these unknown districts of Africa. When one can talk with the people in their own language they become an intensely interesting study. Cunning plus lying plus theft plus indolence—these qualities seem to sum up the very generally accepted idea of a black man. Thus the European approaches him with a distinctly biassed opinion, and instinctively realising that the white man distrusts him; the real self of the negro shrinks back into itself, the fidelity, dog-like affection, generosity, and keen penetration of his nature remain unrecognised because untouched. Dispel all preconceived ideas, study the people’s environment, the external and internal influences that sway them, approach them not as “niggers” but fellow creatures, and the European will never need to complain of the black man’s presumption, but will find it even possible to accept the inspired statement “God ... hath made of one blood all nations of men.” During our three days’ stay at Butanuka we were besieged with callers. The sick came in for medicine, readers to be questioned for baptism, and others desirous of being written down for instruction. A teacher from a neighbouring village was sent to us with an eager request that we should visit them. We agreed to squeeze it into one afternoon. Although the teacher had only been there at work one month we found quite a lively interest had been awakened among the people. The chief of the village, who was captain of the King’s soldiers, came out in big style to welcome us. After a little service and a great deal of medicining, we were taken to the chief’s hut, where a meal had been prepared for us. After seating ourselves on the soft, fresh grass that had been laid down on the floor we started operations. First of all water was brought in for hand ablutions, then the unsweetened cooked bananas were brought in, and a boiled chicken, all wrapped up in the banana leaves in which they had been boiled. The chicken was broken up into tempting morsels by the host and an immoderate helping of the bananas was plumped down in front of each. Then commenced the process of rolling the bananas into small balls in our hands, and punching a depression in the middle by which the gravy could be scooped up. A sheep and three chickens were brought to us as presents, and as we started off nearly the whole village followed on behind. In spite of hurrying we did not reach home before the darkness fell, and a thunderstorm broke over us, extinguishing the long, flaming torches which the natives carried; so we had to push along as best we could, and arrived in a wearied and very bedraggled condition.