100 TEACHING THE MAKOLOLC TO READ. 



ing to ascertain what their practices were, I could safely 

 intrust myself in their hands, on account of their well- 

 known friendly feelings. 



I proposed to teach the Makololo to read ; but, for the 

 reasons mentioned, Sekeletu at first declined : after some 

 weeks, however, Motibe, his father-in-law, and some others, 

 determined to brave the mysterious book. To all who 

 have not acquired it, the knowledge of letters is quite 

 unfathomable ; there is naught like it within the compass 

 of their observation ; and we have no comparison with 

 any thing except pictures, to aid them in comprehending 

 the idea of signs of words. It seems to them supernatural 

 that we see in a book things taking place or having oc- 

 curred at a distance. No amount of explanation conveys 

 the idea unless they learn to read. Machinery is equally 

 inexplicable, and money nearly as much so until they see 

 it in actual use. They are familiar with barter alone; and 

 in the centre of the country, where gold is totally un- 

 known, if a button and sovereign were left to their choice, 

 they would prefer the former on account of its having an 

 eye. 



In beginning to learn, Motibe seemed to himself in the 

 position of the doctor, who was obliged to drink his potion 

 before the patient, to show that it contained nothing detri- 

 mental ; after he had mastered the alphabet, and reported 

 the thing so far safe, Sekeletu and his young companions 

 came forward to try for themselves. He must have re- 

 solved to watch the effects of the book against his views 

 on polygamy, and abstain whenever he perceived any ten- 

 dency, in reading it, toward enforcing him to put his wives 

 away. A number of men learned the alphabet in a short 

 time, and were set to teach others, but before much pro- 

 gress could be made I was on my way to Loanda. 



As I had declined to name any thing as a present from 

 Sekeletu, except a canoe to take me up the river, he brought 

 ten fine elephants' tusks and laid them down beside my 

 wagon. He would take no denial, though I told him J 



