This beam was furnished with two loops of cord, as of a chain, to suspend offerings before it.

On remarking to my companions that these idols had ears, but that they heard not, etc., I learned that the Balonda, and even the Barotse, believe that divination may be performed by means of these blocks of wood and clay; and though the wood itself could not hear, the owners had medicines by which it could be made to hear and give responses, so that if an enemy were approaching they would have full information.

Manenko having brought us to a stand on account of slight indisposition and a desire to send forward notice of our approach to her uncle, I asked why it was necessary to send forward information of our movements, if Shinte had idols who could tell him every thing.

"She did it only,"* was the reply.
It is seldom of much use to show one who worships idols the folly of idolatry without giving something else as an object of adoration instead.

They do not love them.