At the time that our party first saw it the sun was sinking, and had
disappeared behind the western portion of the barricade of hills.
Therefore the valley, if it may be so called, was plunged in a gloom
that seemed almost unnatural when compared with the brilliant sky above,
across which the radiant lights of an African sunset already sped like
arrows, or rather like red and ominous spears of flame.
"What a dreadful place!" exclaimed Dorcas. "Is our home to be here?"
"I suppose so," answered Thomas, who to tell the truth for once was
himself somewhat dismayed. "It does look a little gloomy, but after
all it is very sheltered, and home is what one makes it," he added
sententiously.
Here the conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the Chief and
some of the Christian portion of the Sisa tribe, who having been warned
of its approach by messenger, to the number of a hundred and fifty or so
had advanced to meet the party.
They were a motley crowd clad in every kind of garment, ranging from a
moth-eaten General's tunic to practically nothing at all. Indeed, one
tall, thin fellow sported only a battered helmet of rusty steel that
had drifted here from some European army, a _moocha_ or waistbelt of
catskins, and a pair of decayed tennis-shoes through which his toes
appeared.
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