THE BECHUANA TRIBES. 19S 



heads, for some time actually darkening the sun. In 

 the evening I continued my march by moonlight, and 

 halted within a few miles of Motito, an extensive kraal 

 of the Batlapis, a tribe of Bechuanas. The nights were 

 piercing cold, the grass being every morning covered 

 with white frost. 



CHAPTER XL 



Motito — The Bechuana Tribes — The mysterious gi-eat inland Lake — 

 Blesbok and Wildebeest abundant — Park-like Country — We arrive 

 at the beautiful Vale of Bakatla — Dr. Livingstone, the Missionary — 

 Native Fashions at Church — Determine to push on to Bamangwato — 

 The Natives follow me for Venison — Great Variety of Game — A dan 

 gerous Fight with a Herd of Buffaloes, two of which are slain — A 

 Colony of Baboons — A Rhinoceros chases me round a Bush — Habits 

 of the Beast — A noble Eland killed — An impromptu Steak — Slay a 

 Rhinoceros, and lose my Way in the Forest. 



At an early hour on the 17th I outspanned at Mo- 

 tito, where I was kindly received by Monsieur Loga 

 and Mr. Edwards, the former a French missionary sta- 

 tioned at Motito, and the latter an English missionary 

 from Mabotza. Another French missionary, named 

 Monsieur Lemue, belonging to the station, was absent. 

 The women at Motito wear heavier ornaments of beads 

 than any with whom I am acquainted. As I have now 

 reached the southern borders of that vast tract of South- 

 ern Africa inhabited by the numerous tribes of the Be- 

 chuanas, it will be necessary, before proceeding further, 

 to give a sketch of their manners and customs. They 

 arc a lively and intelligent race of people, and remark- 

 able for their good humor : they are well formed, if not 



