202 MODE OF TRYING OFFENSES. 



if frivolous, he may give the complainant a scolding, and put a 

 stop to the case in the middle of the complaint, or he may allow 

 it to go on without paying any attention to it whatever. Family 

 quarrels are often treated in this way, and then a man may be 

 seen stating his case with great fluency, and not a soul listening 

 to him. But if it is a case between influential men, or brought 

 on by under-chiefs, then the greatest decorum prevails. If the 

 chief does not see his way clearly to a decision, he remains 

 silent ; the elders then rise one by one and give their opinions, 

 often in the way of advice rather than as decisions ; and when the 

 chief finds the general sentiment agreeing in one view, he de- 

 livers his judgment accordingly. He alone speaks sitting ; all 

 others stand. 



No one refuses to acquiesce in the decision of the chief, as he 

 has the power of life and death in his hands, and can enforce the 

 law to that extent if he chooses ; but grumbling is allowed, and, 

 when marked favoritism is shown to any relative of the chief, 

 the people generally are not so astonished at the partiality as we 

 would be in England. 



This system was found as well developed among the Makololo 

 as among the Bakwains, or even better, and is no foreign im- 

 portation. When at Cassange, my men had a slight quarrel 

 among themselves, and came to me, as to their chief, for judg- 

 ment. This had occurred several times before, so without a 

 thought I went out of the Portuguese merchant's house in which 

 I was a guest, sat down, and heard the complaint and defense in 

 the usual way. When I had given my decision in the common 

 admonitory form, they went off apparently satisfied. Several 

 Portuguese, who had been viewing the proceedings with great in- 

 terest, complimented me on the success of my teaching them how 

 to act in litigation ; but I could not take any credit to myself for 

 the system which I had found ready-made to my hands. 



Soon after our arrival at Linyanti, Sekeletu took me aside, and 

 pressed me to mention those things I liked best and hoped to 

 get from him. Any thing, either in or out of his town, should be 

 freely given if I would only mention it. I explained to him that 

 my object was to elevate him and his people to be Christians ; 

 but he replied he did not wish to learn to read the Book, for he 

 was afraid " it might change his heart, and make him content 



