144 SPORT AND TRAVEL PAPERS 



plenty here in wells and running streams ; the arid tree and 

 grassless country round the old capital has been exchanged 

 for a lofty plateau covered with trees, and overlooking an 

 immense plain stretching away as far as the eye can see. 

 The huts here are not crowded together ; every one has space 

 around for a small garden wherein to grow a little corn. It is 

 indeed a change for the better, which must be appreciated 

 by every one. Khama is the father of his people, a most 

 thorough gentleman in every way. So much has been written 

 in his honour that I can add nothing, except to say that no 

 one has exaggerated in singing his praises. His right-hand 

 man is his faithful friend and adviser the Rev. Mr. Hepburn, 

 and to him in an indirect manner are due many of the benefits 

 the chief extends to his people. A thorough Christian, he 

 observes the Sunday strictly in his capital ; himself a teetotaler, 

 he allows no spirituous liquor of any description into his 

 country not even native beer is allowed to be brewed or 

 drunk. He has done away with witchcraft, formerly very rife, 

 and with various heathenish rites and ceremonies. All nation- 

 alities are safe in Khama's country ; he is their father, as he 

 is that of his own people. Almost all subjects of the chief are 

 living on the Palapye plateau, only mealie fields and cattle 

 stations being in the plains below ; but as the feeling of security 

 from Matabele raids becomes more assured the people, no 

 doubt, will spread out more, and villages spring up where now 

 only temporary stations under bushmen exist. 



The trade with the natives consists mainly in hides and the 

 skins of leopards, jackals, deer, wild cats, &c., to be afterwards 

 made by them into karosses (rugs) for the markets in the 

 Transvaal and Cape Colony. The railway as it is gradually 

 pushed into these countries will doubtless be the means of 

 developing their resources, and the natives will soon appreciate 

 the benefits to be derived from trade with Europeans, the 

 result being that the breeding of cattle will rapidly increase, 

 as also the production of grain. 



After a fortnight's detention at Palapye, in consequence of the 

 non-arrival of some important despatch, the mission to Loben- 

 gula was at last able to commence the remaining stage of its 

 journey, the last 200 miles to Bulawayo. The road ran through 

 m'pani bush and high grass ; everything was green, and looked 



