Chap. XIV.] SOUTHERN AFRICA. 1 1 1 



CHAPTER XIV. 



FROM MOSEGA TO THE KURRICANE MOUNTAINS. 



Leaving the Mission-house on the 22nd October, 

 and repassing the town of Mosega, within the fence 

 of which we saw Erasmus's captured waggons, our 

 road wound for some distance, in a north-westerly 

 direction, amongst numerous MatabiH villages, hav- 

 ing all the same form and appearance, though vary- 

 ing considerably in size and extent. A circular 

 thorn fence, six or eight feet in height, with only one 

 entrance, encloses a sloping area ; around the cir- 

 cumference of which the dwellings or huts are con- 

 structed. The cattle are kept during the night in 

 the space so surrounded. The domiciles are paltry 

 low wigwams, of a circular form, having one small 

 doorway directed towards the centre; it is of very 

 narrow dimensions, barely affording space for a 

 man to crawl through upon his hands and knees. 

 Crowds of women and children poured down from 

 each kraal as we passed, holding out their hands 

 and then placing their noses in the hollow of the 

 palm, snuffing and sneezing violently, as a hint 

 that they required Qui, or snuff, for which, to them 

 the greatest of all luxuries, they became as usual 

 extremely clamorous. We saw comparatively few 

 men, the larger proportion of the able-bodied being 



