PROSPECTS OF A FIGHT. 339 



for we were all free men. " Then you can give the gun with which 

 the ox was shot." As we heard some of his people remarking even 

 now that we had only "five guns," we declined, on the ground 

 that, as they were intent on plundering us, giving a gun would be 

 helping them to do so. 



This they denied, saying they wanted the customary tribute 

 only. I asked what right they had to demand payment for leave 

 to tread on the ground of God, our common Father. If we trod 

 on their gardens, we would pay, but not for marching on land 

 which was still God's, and not theirs. They did not attempt to 

 controvert this, because it is in accordance with their own ideas, 

 but reverted again to the pretended crime of the saliva. 



My men now entreated me to give something ; and after asking 

 the chief if he really thought the affair of the spitting a matter of 

 guilt, and receiving an answer in the affirmative, I gave him one 

 of my shirts. The young Chiboque were dissatisfied, and began 

 shouting and brandishing their swords for a greater fine. 



As Pitsane felt that he had been the cause of this disagreeable 

 affair, he asked me to add something else. I gave a bunch of 

 beads, but the counselors objected this time, so I added a large 

 handkerchief. The more I yielded, the more unreasonable their 

 demands became, and at every fresh demand a shout was raised 

 by the armed party, and a rush made around us with brandishing 

 of arms. One young man made a charge at my head from be- 

 hind, but I quickly brought round the muzzle of my gun to his 

 mouth, and he retreated. I pointed him out to the chief, and he 

 ordered him to retire a little. I felt anxious to avoid the effusion 

 of blood ; and though sure of being able, with my Makololo, who 

 had been drilled by Sebituane, to drive off twice the number of our 

 assailants, though now a large body, and well armed with spears, 

 swords, arrows, and guns, I strove to avoid actual collision. My 

 men were quite unprepared for this exhibition, but behaved with 

 admirable coolness. The chief and counselors, by accepting my 

 invitation to be seated, had placed themselves in a trap, for my men 

 very quietly surrounded them, and made them feel that there was 

 no chance of escaping their spears. I then said that, as one thing- 

 after another had failed to satisfy them, it was evident that they 

 wanted to fight, while we only wanted to pass peaceably through 

 the country ; that they must begin first, and bear the guilt before 



Aa 



