Not one spoke a word.
Even the women were silent.
Soon a great noise was heard.
Drums were beating and rude cymbals were being played. The drums were original in their make.
A piece of wood had been hollowed out, and over the top a sheepskin had been tightly stretched.
Into the square the procession moved.
First came ten young girls, playing very rudely constructed cymbals.
Following them were five older girls, keeping time by striking shells together. Then came the drummers, boys whose strength seemed almost too frail for the big, heavy drums they carried.
After them was a drummer who made a most ear-splitting noise by beating an old tin pan—which had been found in a deserted camp, and which the Gondos verily believed must have been the white man’s musical instrument.
What meant all this pageantry and display?