Page:A pilgrimage to my motherland.djvu/46

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TO MY MOTHERLAND.
37

townships. He is a good-natured fat old gentleman, giving himself only so much concern about public affairs as to secure the good will of his rather turbulent chiefs, to whom perhaps a ruler of more active temperament would be less welcome; there are times, however, when he has been roused to great energy and decision of character. Next in order of authority is the Ibashorun or Prime Minister, who is also in times of war commander in chief. He too is a man of rather cumbersome proportions, powerful on account of his wealth and the number of soldiers his household furnishes in time of war, still, not personally celebrated for military prowess. The chief next in order is Shukenu, perhaps more corpulent than the Ibashorun. Wealthy, powerful, haughty and courageous, he is nevertheless not free from the charge of cruelty. Scarcely a chief in Africa afforded us a more hearty welcome. Ogubonna, or as the English, to whom he is well known, style him, "His Highness Ogubonna," comes next. He calls himself, not inappropriately, the Friend of Civilization; he is a man of large stature, fine proportion, and in all as fine-looking a Negro as I ever saw. No one could mistake him for any other than a chief, so commanding and dignified is his bearing. On the occasion of my first visit to his Highness, as usual he was informed of my African origin. "From