86 EXPEDITION INTO [Chap. XI. 



by means of a small ivory spoon, which is usually 

 hung round the neck, the recipient leisurely seats 

 himself under a convenient bush — drawing every 

 grain into his nostrils at once, with an eagerness 

 which, although followed by a copious flood of tears, 

 proves the extent of the enjoyment afforded. Worse 

 than barbarian would that man be esteemed, who 

 would wantonly interrupt a social party so employed. 

 After travelling about five miles, over imdulating 

 downs, covered with luxuriant grass, we descended 

 into a lovely and fertile valley, in form resembling 

 a basin, of ten or twelve miles in circumference, 

 bounded on the north and north-east by the Kurri- 

 chane range of mountains, and containing the 

 sources of the Mariqua River. Prior to the occu- 

 pancy of this valley by the Matabili, it formed the 

 principal residence of the Baharootzi tribe. It is 

 now extensively cultivated, and contains the mili- 

 tary town of Mosega, and fifteen other of Mosele- 

 katse's principal kraals. On our way to the houses 

 of the American Missionaries, we passed several of 

 these, to the no small delight of their inhabitants, 

 who, principally women and children, flocked round 

 the waggons in great numbers, offering their greasy 

 hands without compunction; at every step the crowd 

 increased — both sexes were to be seen working in 

 the fields, but they all quitted their occupation as 

 they saw us, and adding themselves to the group, 

 escorted us to the halting ground. We received a 

 hearty welcome from Dr. Wilson, one of the Ameri- 

 can fraternity, from whom we learned, on delivering 



