WELCOME AT LINYANTI. 103 



had furnished a natural fortress ; but the source of their security 

 had almost been the extermination of the race. No enemy could 

 hope to assail Sebituane successfully in those pestiferous marshes ; 

 but the malarial breath of the place was an ever-active enemy 

 which despised his strength. Fevers had greatly reduced the 

 numbers and the bodily vigor of the Makololo proper. Sebit- 

 uane had maintained the vigor and ever-increasing prosperity of 

 his nations by his wisdom in thoroughly identifying all the 

 conquered tribes with his own. The Makalaka were in fact 

 only serfs of the Makololo, but they were called Makololo, and 

 spoken of, like his own people, as the children of Sebituane. 

 The kindness of their conquerors had bound them in stronger 

 cords than their authority could possibly have woven. The 

 Makalaka were proud to be called Makololo. 



The welcome at Linyanti was in all courtly dignity. The herald 

 came bounding and capering, in most eccentric and indescriba- 

 ble antics-cutting, vociferating the feelings of the people. "Don't 

 I see the white man ? " " Don't I see the comrade of Sebit- 

 uane?" " Don't I see the father of Sekeletu ? " " We want 

 sleep ! " " Give your son sleep, my lord ! " Sleep ! quiet ! 

 The people of Sebituane were tired of war. How longingly 

 those who have been combating adversities through dragging 

 years think of tranquil hours ! War had been threatening 

 recently ; the people of the lake country, being in possession of 

 guns, had grown very insulting and menacing. The Makololo 

 had heard that " the white people possessed a pot which would 

 burn up any attacking party." They had heard of cannon. 

 Now they trusted they might obtain that wonderful "pot." It 

 may seem singular that a people should desire cannon that they 

 might have peace ; but it is the improvement in the implements 

 of war which promotes the interests of peace more, perhaps, 

 than anything except the gospel. The consciousness of strength 

 increases our magnanimity. The exhibition of strength secures 

 us respect. Respect on one side and magnanimity on the other 

 leave no place for strife. 



Sekeletu had on his chieftainly behavior. The great cups of 

 the national-beer were brought with lavish hospitality. From 

 the time of his arrival the Makololo ladies were most assiduous 

 in their attentions ; their presents of milk and food burdened 



