The town, by the way, was not surrounded with any wall or other fortification, which showed that the inhabitants feared no attack.

The waters of the lake were their defence.
For the rest, the chief characteristic of this place was the silence that brooded there.

Apparently they kept no dogs, for none barked, and no poultry, for I never heard a cock crow in Pongo-land.

Cattle and native sheep they had in abundance, but as they did not fear any enemy, these were pastured outside the town, their milk and meat being brought in as required.

A considerable number of people were gathered to observe us, not in a crowd, but in little family groups which collected separately at the gates of the gardens.
For the most part these consisted of a man and one or more wives, finely formed and handsome women.