“Good! And hath man ever been to the place where the gods make the springs of water to flow?”
“No; man could not live.”
“Why?”
“The water comes from the fire god, who burns all who approach.”
“Then what shall be done with those who have come from the fire?”
“They shall be exalted.”
“Mkrasi! mkrasi!” shouted all the members of the tribe.
The conversation, or rather public discussion, which we have recorded occupied considerable time, for the language of this tribe of Gondos was very diffuse, abounding in metaphor, and making the repeating of whole sentences necessary where emphasis was required.
The chief stepped down from the platform in front of his house, and calling on ten of his deputies headed the procession across the great square, round which the houses were placed.
While the chief was away, the utmost decorum was observed.