The Bechuanaland Exploration Company. ^21 



respect. But I expect that for a long time yet it 

 will be necessary for the British settlers in 

 Mashonalancl and north of the Crocodile river to 

 exercise the utmost caution, not only as to their 

 conduct towards the Matabele, but also as to the 

 preparation of measures for concentrated resistance 

 in the event of an outbreak of savage fury. 



The Bechuanaland Exploration Company, whicli 

 does a large and profital)le trading business 

 throughout these parts of Africa, has its northern 

 headquarters at Palapye. From their agents we 

 experienced the utmost kindness ; nor among the 

 least of the luxuries they offered was a brandy and 

 soda, Avliich, besides Ijeing the first I had been able 

 to get for many weeks, Avas, to a traveller suffocated 

 by heat and choked by dust, sweeter than any 

 heavenly nectar. I must add that the brandy 

 bottle was produced from a recess under the bed, 

 in one of tlie huts occupied by the agent, where, 

 in deference to Khama's teetotal proclivities, it was 

 carefully concealed. Xor can I omit to mention 

 another great luxury here enjoyed for the first 

 time for more than fixe months, to ^vit, a night's 

 repose between a pair of sheets. The Bechuana- 

 land Exploi'ation Company have here a large and 

 Avell supplied store, Avhere we procured many 

 articles of which we stood in need. In the morninir 

 I witnessed a curious spectacle. Many lumdreds 

 of Khama's people who had been employed by the 

 Soutli African Chartered Company during a period 

 of four months in laying the telegraph wire through 

 Mashonaland were now paid off. A large quantity 



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