93 EXPEDITION INTO 



CHAPTEK XIV. 



FROM MOSEGA TO THE KURRICHANE MOUNTAINS. 



Leaving the Mission-house on the 22nd October^ and re- 

 passing- the town of Moseg-a^ within the fence of which we 

 saw Erasmus's captured wag-g"ons^ our road wound for some 

 distance, in a north-westerly direction, among-st numerous 

 Matabili villag-es, having* all the same form and appearance, 

 thoug'h varying* considerably in size and extent. A circular 

 thorn fence, six or eig'ht feet in heig-ht, with only one 

 entrance, encloses a sloping* area ; around the circumference 

 of which the dwelling*s or huts are constructed. The cattle 

 are kept during* the nig'ht in the space so surrounded. The 

 domiciles are paltry low wig*wams, 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 

 throug'h 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 g*reatest of all 

 luxuries, they became as usual extremely clamorous. We 

 saw comparatively few men, the larg*er proportion of the 

 able-bodied being* absent with Kalipi on the commando 

 aofainst the emio-rant farmers. The Missionaries estimated 

 this force to consist of near five thousand warriors. 



On the north and north-east, the Kurrichane rang*e of 

 mountains rose in majestic g*randeur, a g*reat treat to us after 

 the extensive unvaried flat over which we had travelled since 



