Chap. XVII. INTEMESE'S FICTION— THEFT. 307 



The rains were occasionally, but not always, accompanied with 

 very loud thunder. 



February 1st. — This clay we had a fine view of two hills called 

 Piri (Peeri), meaning " two," on the side of the river we had left. 

 The country there is named Mokwankwa. And there Intemese 

 informed us one of Shinte's children was born, when he was in 

 his progress southwards from the country of Matiamvo. This 

 part of the country, Would thus seem not to have been inhabited 

 by the people of Skinte, at any very remote period. He told me 

 himself that he had come into his present country by command 

 of Matiamvo. 



Here we were surprised to hear English cotton cloth much 

 more eagerly inquired after than beads and ornaments. They 

 are more in need of clothing than the Bechuana tribes living 

 adjacent to the Kalahari Desert, who have plenty of skins for the 

 purpose. Animals of all kinds are rare here, and a very small 

 piece of calico is of great value. 



In the midst of the heavy rain, which continued all the morn- 

 ing, Intemese sent to say he was laid up with pains in the stomach, 

 and must not be disturbed ; but when it cleared up, about eleven, 

 I saw our friend walking off to the village, and talking with a very 

 loud voice. On reproaching him for telling an untruth, he 

 turned it off with a laugh, by saying he really had a complaint 

 in his stomach, which I might cure by slaughtering one of the 

 oxen and allowing him to eat beef. He was evidently revelling 

 in the abundance of. good food the chiefs orders brought us. 

 And he did not feel the shame I did, when I gave a few beads 

 only, in return for large baskets of meal. 



A very old man visited us here with a present of maize : like 

 the others he had never before seen a white man, and, when con- 

 versing with him, some of the young men remarked that they 

 were the true ancients, for they had now seen more wonderful 

 things than their forefathers. 



One of Intemese's men stole a fowl given me by the lady of 

 the village. When charged with the theft, every one of Inte- 

 mese's party vociferated his innocence, and indignation at being 

 suspected ; continuing their loud asseverations and gesticulations 

 for some minutes. One of my men, Loyanke, went off to the vil- 

 lage, brought the lady who had presented the fowl to identify it, 



x 2 



