THE REIGN OF PEACE 307 



physical exhaustion which succeeds to excessive 

 lubricity. I used to suppose the apparently clouded 

 perception the older men at times so exasperatingly 

 displayed might be attributed to the same cause, 

 but I do not think so now. It is nothing but a 

 natural, characteristic feeling of shyness which re- 

 quires some little tact and sympathy to overcome. 

 I have indeed often proved this to be the case, and 

 am convinced that much greater progress would be 

 made towards a more thorough comprehension of 

 the intricacies of the African character if the question 

 were approached with a fuller recognition of what 

 constitute the chief difficulties which stand in our 

 way. 



It goes almost without saying that the Valley of 

 the Zambezi, in so far as it comes under Portuguese 

 influence, has entered upon a prolonged, indeed 

 there is every reason to hope and believe, a per- 

 manent state of peace. It is many years since the 

 last armed outbreak took place, and as time goes 

 on, and the natives come more clearly to comprehend 

 the advantages they derive from European pro- 

 tection and teachings, any smouldering feelings of 

 discontent or impatience of restraint will finally die 

 away and disappear. I do not think in the breast 

 of the average Zambezian much lust for war and 

 bloodshed nowadays makes itself felt. They are 

 not, as they exist at present, in any sense a truculent 

 people. Centuries of subservience to Portuguese 

 rule have taught them that collisions with the white 

 man have but one invariable result, and they are 

 not eager to incur it. Apart from that, the tribes 

 we are considering possess no sort of cohesion. 



