268 LIBERALITY OF THE PEOPLE. 



daring to encounter it. The Makololo are cowardly in respect 

 to animals, but brave against men. Mpololo took all the guilt 

 upon himself before the people, and delivered up a captive child 

 whom his wife had in her possession ; others followed his ex- 

 ample, till we procured the release of five of the prisoners. Some 

 thought, as Masiko had tried to take their children by strat- 

 agem, they ought to take his by force, as the two modes suited 

 the genius of each people — the Makalaka delight in cunning, 

 and the Makololo in fighting; and others thought, if Sekeletu 

 meant them to be at peace with Masiko, he ought to have told 

 them so. 



It is rather dangerous to tread in the footsteps of a marauding- 

 party with men of the same tribe as the aggressors, but my peo- 

 ple were in good spirits, and several volunteers even offered to join 

 our ranks. We, however, adhered strictly to the orders of Seke- 

 letu as as to our companions, and refused all others. 



The people of every village treated us most liberally, pre- 

 senting, besides oxen, butter, milk, and meal, more than we could 

 stow away in our canoes. The cows in this valley are now 

 yielding, as they frequently do, more milk than the people can 

 use, and both men and women present butter in such quantity 

 that I shall be able to refresh my men as we move along. Anoint- 

 ing the skin prevents the excessive evaporation of the fluids of 

 the body, and acts as clothing in both sun and shade. They al- 

 ways made their presents gracefully. When an ox was given, 

 the owner would say, " Here is a little bit of bread for you." 

 This was pleasing, for I had been accustomed to the Bechuanas 

 presenting a miserable goat, with the pompous exclamation, " Be- 

 hold an ox!" The women persisted in giving me copious sup- 

 plies of shrill praises, or " lullilooing ;" but, though I frequently 

 told them to modify their " great lords" and " great lions" to more 

 humble expressions, they so evidently intended to do me honor 

 that I could not help being pleased with the poor creatures' wishes 

 for our success. 



The rains began while we were at Naliele ; this is much later 

 than usual ; but, though the Barotse valley has been in need of 

 rain, the people never lack abundance of food. The showers 

 are refreshing, but the air feels hot and close ; the thermometer, 

 however, in a cool hut, stands only at 84°. The access of the 



