They evidently belonged to the Schilluk tribe, which reached far toward the east, for Kali and Mea knew their language well, and Stasch could understand some things they said. Their legs were not so long as those of their compatriots who live in the district of the Nile; they were of shorter stature, their shoulders were broader, and they looked less like wattle-birds. The children resembled large fleas, and not being disfigured by the pelele, they were decidedly better looking than the grown people.
After the women had stared long enough at the good Msimu from a distance, they vied with the warriors in bringing presents, young goats, fowls, eggs, black beans, and beer made from millet. This lasted until Stasch forbade them to bring any more. He paid them generously with glass beads and colored percale, and Nell distributed tiny mirrors among the children; and so there was great rejoicing throughout the village and joyful cries resounded about the tent occupied by the little travelers. Then the warriors held a war-dance and a skilfully devised sham battle in honor of the guests, after which one of the warriors suggested the cementing of a bond of fellowship between Kali and M’Rua.
As Kamba, who was usually one of the principal figures in such a ceremony, had gone off, an old negro who was very familiar with the formula took his place. After he had killed a young goat, removed the liver and divided it in several large pieces, he began to twirl around on hands and feet like a fly-wheel, and looking first at Kali, then at M’Rua, said in a solemn voice:
“Kali, the son of Fumba, will you eat a piece of M’Rua, the son of M’Kuli—and you, M’Rua, son of M’Kuli, will you eat a piece of Kali, the son of Fumba?”
“Do you wish that Kali’s heart should be M’Rua’s heart, and M’Rua’s heart should be Kali’s heart?”
“And the hands, the spears, and the cows?”
“And everything which either one possesses now or will possess?”
“Whatever he possesses and will possess!”
“And that between you there shall be neither falsehood, treason, nor hate?”
“And that neither of you shall rob the other?”
The man who was whizzing around like a top turned quicker and quicker. The warriors assembled and followed his movements with ever-increasing interest.