Chap. XXII.] SOUTHERN AFRICA. 191 



steep path considerably to the westward of the defile 

 through which we had come, and, on arriving at the 

 summit, perceived our waggons, liiie small w^hite 

 specks, in the distant valley. Bare and sterile rocks 

 occupy the highest elevation of these mountains, 

 commanding an extensive view, and forming a strong 

 contrast with the middle and lower regions, so thick- 

 ly covered with verdure and forests, the latter chiefly 

 occupying the ravines. Having reconnoitered the 

 whole country with a telescope, without being able 

 to discern the animals of which we w^ere in quest, 

 we descended by a steep foot-path, the face of the 

 mountain being strewed with round white pebbles. 

 Near the summit grew a venei-able mimosa, which 

 completely overshadowed the path, and a little on 

 one side of it we observed a large heap which had 

 been formed by each passenger contributing one of 

 these pebbles as he passed. Our savages added 

 their mite, simply picking up the nearest, and cast- 

 ing it irreverently towards the hill. This being the 

 only approach to external worship or religious 

 ceremony that we had seen, we naturally became 

 very inquisitive on the subject, but could elicit no 

 satisfactory information. Mohanycom said it w^as 

 " the king," from which very sapient reply we were 

 left at liberty to conclude, either that the hill was a 

 monument of respect to royalty, or that they had 

 been engaged in an idolatrous rite. The former 

 is the most probable, for, amongst the Matabili, the 

 reigning monarch, whilst he absorbs all their praises, 

 is the only deity. He it is, in the opinion of this 



