The custom of greeting the king is a most curious one, differing from any I have observed elsewhere. His people, after advancing close to him, clap their hands and kneel to him. If the king is pleased, he reveals his pleasure by blowing and spitting into their hands, with which they affect to anoint their faces and eyes. They seem to believe that the king’s saliva is a collyrium for the eyes. To each other the Wakerewé kneel, clap hands, and cry, “Waché! waché!” “Waché sug!” “Mohoro!” “Eg sura?” which, translated, signifies, “Morning! morning!” “Good-morning!” “A good day!” “Are you well?” The stories current in this country about the witchcraft practised by the people of Ukara Island proe that those islanders have been at pains to spread abroad a good repute for themselves, that they are cunning, and, aware that superstition is a weakness of human nature, have sought to thrive upon it. Their power—according to the Wakerewé—over the amphibiæ is wonderful. One Khamis, son of Hamadi, the carpenter of Sungoro, having been a long time constructing a dhow, or sailing vessel, for his employer, shared most thoroughly in these delusions. Khamis averred, with an oath, that there was a crocodile who lived in the house of the chief of Ukara, which fed from his hands, and was as docile and obedient to his master as a dog, and as intelligent as a man. Lukongeh had once a pretty woman in his harem, who was coveted by the Ukara chief, but the latter could devise no means to possess her for a long time until he thought of his crocodile. He instantly communicated his desire to the reptile, and bade him lie in wait in the rushes near Msossi until the woman should approach the lake to bathe, as was her custom daily, and then seize and convey her without injury across the eight-mile channel to Ukara. The next day, at noon, the woman was in the Ukara chief’s house. When I expressed a doubt about the veracity of the marvellous tale, Khamis said, indignantly, “What, you doubt me? Ask Lukongeh, and he will confirm what I have told you.” He then added, “Machunda, Lukongeh’s father, owned a crocodile that stole an Arab’s wife, and carried her across the country to the king’s house!” To Khamis, and the Wangwana who listened to him, this last was conclusive evidence that the crocodiles of Ukara were most astonishing creatures. [Illustration] 1 Storage for grain, Ukerewé. 5 Woman’s breasts, Ukerewé. 2 House, Ukerewé. 6 A warrior of Ukerewé. 3 Stool, Ukerewé. 7 Women with coils of brasswork, Ukerewé. 4 Canoe, Ukerewé. 8 Fish-nets, Ukerewé. The Wakerewé also believe that, if a hawk seizes a fish belonging to the Wakara, it is sure to die in the very act! Kaduma Kagehyi, according to Khamis, possessed a hippopotamus which came to him each morning, for a long period, to be milked!