S98 BAND-RIVER TANGWE. 



there is any unusual strain upon their minds. Monahiu was 

 in command of the Batoka of Mokwine in my party, and he 

 Was looked upon with great dislike by all that chief's sub- 

 jects. The only difficulties I had with them arose in con- 

 sequence of being obliged to give orders through him. 

 They said Mokwine is reported to have been killed by tho 

 Makololo, but Monahin is the individual who put forth his 

 hand and slew him. When one of these people kills in 

 battle, he seems to have no compunction afterward; but 

 when he makes a foray on his own responsibility, and kills 

 a man of note, the common people make remarks to each 

 other, which are reported to him and bring the affair per- 

 petually to his remembrance. This iteration on the con- 

 science causes insanity, and, when one runs away in a wide 

 country like this, the fugitive is never heard of. Monahiu 

 had lately become afraid of his own party from overhearing 

 their remarks, and said more than once to me, " They want 

 to kill me." I believe if he ran to any village they would 

 take care of him. I felt his loss greatly, and spent three 

 days in searching for him. He was a sensible and most 

 obliging man. I sent in the morning to inform Monina of 

 this sad event, and he at once sent to all the gardens 

 around, desiring the people to look for him, and, should ho 

 come near, to bring him home. He evidently sympathized 

 with us in our sorrow, and, afraid lest we might suspect 

 him, added, "We never catch nor kidnap people here. It 

 is not our custom. It is considered as guilt among all the 

 tribes." I gave him credit for truthfulness, and he allowed 

 us to move on without further molestation. 



After leaving his village, we marched in the bed of a 

 sand-river a quarter of a mile broad, called Tangwe. 

 Walking on this sand is as fatiguing as walking on snow. 

 The country is flat, and covered with low trees; but we see 

 high hills in the distance. A little to the south we have 

 those of the Lobole. This region is very much infested by 

 lions, and men never go any distance into the woods alone. 

 Having turned aside on one occasion at mid-day, and gone 



