Chap. XVIII. PROSPECTS OF A FIGHT. 341 



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

 winch the ox was shot." As we heard some of his people re- 

 marking 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 then- 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 counsellors objected tins time, so I added a large 

 handkercliief. 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 liim 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 col- 

 lision. My men were quite unprepared for this exhibition, but 

 behaved with admirable coolness. The chief and counsellors, 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 



