246 LIBERALITY OF THE PEOPLE. Chap. XIV. 



without his 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 fol- 

 lowed his example till we procured the release of five of the 

 prisoners. Some thought, as Masiko had tried to take their 

 children by stratagem, 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 

 people were in good spirits, and several volunteers even offered 

 to join our ranks. We, however, adhered strictly to the orders 

 of Sekeletu as to our companions, and refused all others. 



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

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

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

 ing, 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. Anointing 

 the skin prevents the excessive evaporation of the fluids of the 

 body, and acts as clothing in both sun and shade. They always 

 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 pre- 

 senting 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 

 honour, 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 



