have had to barter exclusively; but now, thanks
to Horne's attempt to collect an annual hut tax, money was some good. We
had, however, very good luck with bright blankets and cotton cloth.
Our beads did not happen here to be in fashion. Probably three months
earlier or later we might have done better with them. The feminine mind
here differs in no basic essential from that of civilization. Fashions
change as rapidly, as often and as completely in the jungle as in Paris.
The trader who brings blue beads when blue beads have "gone out" might
just as well have stayed at home. We bought a number of the pretty
"marquise" rings for four cents apiece (our money), some war clubs or
rungas for the same, several spears, armlets, stools and the like. Billy
thought one of the short, soft skin cloaks embroidered with steel beads
might be nice to hang on the wall. We offered a youth two rupees for
one. This must have been a high price, for every man in hearing of the
words snatched off his cloak and rushed forward holding it out. As that
reduced his costume to a few knick-knacks, Billy retired from the busy
mart until we could arrange matters.

We dined with Horne. His official residence was most interesting. The
main room was very high to beams and a grass-thatched roof, with a
well-brushed earth floor covered with mats. It contained comfortable
furniture, a small library, a good phonograph, tables, lamps and the
like. When the mountain chill descended, Horne lit a fire in a coal-oil
can with a perforated bottom. What little smoke was produced by the
clean burning wood lost itself far aloft. Leopard skins and other
trophies hung on the wall. We dined in another room at a well-appointed
table. After dinner we sat up until the unheard of hour of ten o'clock
discussing at length many matters that interested us. Horne told us of
his personal bodyguard consisting of one son from each chief of his wide
district. These youths were encouraged to make as good an appearance
as possible, and as a consequence turned out in the extreme of savage
gorgeousness. Horne spoke of them carelessly as a "matter of policy in
keeping the different tribes well disposed," but I thought he was at
heart a little proud of them. Certainly, later and from other sources,
we heard great tales of their endurance, devotion and efficiency. Also
we heard that Horne had cut in half his six months' leave (earned
by three years' continuous service in the jungle) to hurry b