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Chapter Fourteen. The Rescued Slaves |
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welcomed by warriors of Chingmei in full dress |
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(120) Feathers fluttered on the top of the hill as we climbed slowly up the saddle of the mountain between Chengtang and Chingmei. Chingmak, the chief of Chingmei, had sent his warriors in full ceremonial dress to welcome us, and it was their high hornbill feathers we had seen quivering on red, plaited cane hats. They had rolls of indigo-blue cloths, embroidered with cowrie shells, tied over the breast and back, protecting the most vulnerable parts of the body against blows; their sword-like dao were stuck in sheaths at the back, which formed part of the broad belt. With a single movement these dao can be drawn over the shoulder and crashed down on the head of an enemy. Besides this weapon, the men carried long spears, tufted with red goat's hair, and heavy shields of buffalo hide. |
