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[Note: this transcription was produced by an automatic OCR engine]
SANTO 1 5 x
the chief watching carefully to see that I did not
omit any one. The men felt uneasy, but did not
quite know what to make of the whole performance.
I naturally could not find anything wrong, and told
the chief so, but he was not satisfied, and shook his
head doubtfully. Then I talked to him seriously
and tried to convince him that everyone had to
die once, and that sickness was something natural,
especially considering the filth in which they lived;
but I do not think my speech made much impres-
sion.
The men had now become very suspicious, the
women were away, and I had great trouble in finding
bearers and guides to the next village. A pleasant
march brought us to this settlement, whose houses
were close together in a big clearing. We were
received very coolly by the chief and a few men.
My bearers and guides would not be induced to
accompany us farther, so that I had to ask for boys
here; but the chief said he had not a single able-
bodied man, which I felt to be mere excuse. I also
noticed that my own boys were very dissatisfied and
sullen, and that something was in the wind. In
order to raise their spirits, and not to leave our
yam provisions behind, I had them cook the midday
meal, but the sullen, threatening atmosphere remained
the same. When it was time to continue our march,
I heard them grumble and complain about their
loads, and it all looked like rising mutiny. I was
ahead with the chief, who had consented to show
US the way, when the moli came after me and
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