THE KAEUE. - gQ9 



the capabilities of this part for supplying the wants of the Mako- 

 lolo. There is certainly abundance of room at present in the 

 country for thousands and thousands more of population. 



"We passed near the Losito, a former encampment of the Mate- 

 bele, with whom Lekwebu had lived. At the sight of the bones 

 of the oxen they had devoured, and the spot where savage dances 

 had taken place, though all deserted now, the poor fellow burst 

 out into a wild Matebele song. He pointed out also a district, 

 about two days and a half west of Semalembue, where Sebituane 

 had formerly dwelt. There is a hot fountain on the hills there 

 named "Nakalombo," which may be seen at a distance emitting 

 steam. " There," said Sekwebu, " had your Molekane (Sebitu- 

 ane) been alive, he would have brought you to live with him. You 

 would be on the bank of the river, and, by taking canoes, you 

 would at once sail down to the Zambesi, and visit the white peo- 

 ple at the sea." 



This part is a favorite one with the Makololo, and probably it 

 would.be a good one in which to form a centre of civilization. 

 There is a large, flat district of country to the north, said to be 

 peopled by the Bashukulompo and other tribes, who cultivate the 

 ground to a great extent, and raise vast quantities of grain, ground- 

 nuts, sweet potatoes, etc. They also grow sugar-cane. If they 

 were certain of a market, I believe they would not be unwilling 

 to cultivate cotton too, but they have not been accustomed to the 

 peaceful pursuits of commerce. All are fond of trade, but they 

 have been taught none save that in ivory and slaves. 



The Kafue enters a narrow gorge close by the village of Sema- 

 lembue ; as the hill on the north is called Bolengwe, I apply that 

 name to the gorge (lat. 15° 48' 19" S., long. 28° 22' E.). Sema- 

 lembue said that he ought to see us over the river, so he accom- 

 panied us to a pass about a mile south of his village, and when 

 we entered among the hills we found the ford of the Kafue. On 

 parting with Semalembue I put on him a shirt, and he went away 

 with it apparently much delighted. 



The ford was at least 250 yards broad, but rocky and shallow. 

 After crossing it in a canoe, we went along the left bank, and 

 were completely shut in by high hills. Every available spot 

 between the river and the hills is under cultivation ; and the 

 residence of the people here is intended to secure safety for 



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