418 ENCAMP ON THE ZOUGA FIRST INTERVIEW. 



fowl. Many species new to us were among them ; but w 3 

 had no time to spare for approaching the birds. 



We twice bivouacked on the south border of Ngami before 

 coming; in sight of Lecholetebe's residence, situated on the 

 north bank of the River Zouga, and at a short distance from 

 where its waters separate themselves from the Lake. 



I had accomplished the journey from Kobis in five days. 

 With unencumbered oxen, it might, with some exertion, be 

 made in half this time. 



Lecholetebe requested me to pitch my tent in his immedi- 

 ate vicinity ; but, feeling fatigued, and well knowing the in- 

 convenience of being in too close proximity to the natives, we 

 encamped on the south side of the Zouga. 



I determined to pay my respects to the chief at an early 

 liour on the following morning. To make a favorable im- 

 pression on the mind of savages at the first interview is of 

 great importance, as much of their future good-will toward 

 one depends on this, and scarcely any thing propitiates them 

 more than outward show. 



Accordingly, at the contemplated hour, I donned my best 

 apparel, which consisted of jacket and trowsers of fine white 

 duck, a handsome red velvet sash, lined with silk of the same 

 color, and a gold-embroidered skull-cap. 



The two last articles of dress were a memento of a dear, 

 female friend, and I had pledged myself to wear them on the 

 first grand occasion. 



Having crossed the Zouga Eiver, a few minutes' walk 

 brought me to Batoana town, the capital and residence of 

 Lecholetebe. I found the chief seated on a wooden stool, in 

 the midst of forty or fifty of his followers, drinking coffee 

 within a stout semicircular palisading. He was attired in 

 a half-European and half-barbarous costume ; his lower ex- 

 tremities were immersed in a pair of wide moleskin trowsers; 

 he had incased his feet in socks and " veld" shoes, while from 

 his shoulders depended gracefully a very handsome jackal 



