32 PREPARING TO CROSS THE DESERT. 



Scbituane having saved his life, and expatiated on the far 

 famed generosity of that really great man. This was the 

 first time I had thought of crossing the Desert to Lake 

 Kgami. 



The conduct of the Boers, who had sent a letter designed 

 to procure my removal out of the country, and their well- 

 known settled policy which I have already described, be- 

 came more fully developed on this than on any former 

 occasion. When I spoke to Mr. Hendrick Potgeiter of the 

 danger of hindering the gospel of Christ among these poor 

 savages, he became greatly excited, and called one of his 

 followers to answer me. He threatened to attack any tribe 

 that might receive a native teacher ; yet he promised to use 

 his influence to prevent those under him from throwing 

 obstacles in our way. I could perceive plainly that nothing 

 more could be done in that direction, so I commenced col- 

 lecting all the information I could about the desert, with 

 the intention of crossing it, if possible. Sekomi, the chief 

 of the Bamangwato, was acquainted with a route which 

 he kept carefully to himself, because the Lake country 

 abounded in ivory, and he drew large quantities thence 

 periodically at but small cost to himself. 



Sechele, who valued highly every thing European, and 

 was always fully alive to his own interest, was naturally 

 anxious to get a share of that inviting^§eld. He was most 

 anxious to visit Sebituane too, partly, perhaps, from a wish 

 to show off his new acquirements, but chiefly, I believe, 

 from having very exalted ideas of the benefits he would 

 derive from the liberality of that renowned chieftain. 



Sechele, by my advice, sent men to Sekomi, asking leave 

 for me to pass along his path, accompanying the request 

 with the present of an ox. Sekomi's mother, who possesses 

 great influence over him, refused permission, because she 

 had not been propitiated. This produced a fresh message; 

 and the most honorable man in the Bakwain tribe, next 

 to Sechftle, was sent with an ox for both Sekomi and his 

 mother This, too, was met by refusal. It was said. 



