CHAPTER VIII. 



LONDA OR LINDA. 



Lessons of Experience — Sansawe's Demands — His Refusal — A Blow on the Beard 

 — Revenge — Changing the Tune — Dandies and Belles — Lizards and Snakes — 

 Seven Thousand Fowls for Ten Dollars — Many Village Mania — The Sea- 

 sons — Sister of Matiamoo — An Ox or a Man — Strategy — Trial for Murder 

 — Street Fight — Dish of "White Ants — Lovely Bed of Flowers — God in Nature 

 — A Noble Chief— Shinte's Again — The Leeba — Life Once More — Buffalo 

 Hunt — Libouta Welcome — Thanksgiving Service — A Matrimonial Drawback 

 — Capsized in the Leeambye— Sekeletu in Full Dress — The True Ancients in 

 "White — Promising Opening — Preparation for the Journey — Going Eastward — 

 Parting Words of Mamire — The Tribute of Faithfulness. 



Experience is a famous teacher ; its tuition has much to do 

 with a man's comfort anywhere, particularly in Africa. Dr. 

 Livingstone had been the victim of the border chiefs because 

 he was not absolutely certain that he could be anything else ; 

 but he was of a diiferent mind now, because he had learned that 

 a decided independence was not only the safest course, but the 

 kindest, as it would check in the outset the aggressions which 

 no amount of patience could satisfy. Therefore, when he 

 pitched his tent among the Bashange — this time by Sansawe's 

 town — he was in no mood to put up with the covetous imposi- 

 tions of that presumptuous gentleman. The party was hardly 

 settled, however, before he made his appearance, in true Balonda 

 fashion, mounted on his carrier's shoulders, and indulging in 

 any quantity of palaver ; winding up, finally, with the expected 

 information, that he would return in the evening to receive his 

 dues. He manifested a little surprise when his supposed victim 

 replied, with rather uncommon boldness, that he need not come 

 unless he brought with him a present of a fowl and some eggs, 

 as a chief should. In the evening he came, in his wonted 

 dignity, and after visiting the camps of some traders, who paid 

 quite extravagantly for his favor, made his respects to Dr. 

 Livingstone and presented " two cocks." But when he re- 

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