Chap. IX. CHIKWANITSELA. 193 



ciently for one to observe their stratification, or their granitic 

 form, and though not covered with dense masses of climbing 

 plants, like those in moister eastern climates, there is still 

 the idea conveyed that most of the steep sides are fertile, 

 and none give the impression of that barrenness which, in 

 northern mountains, suggests the idea, that the bones of 

 the world are sticking through its skin. 



The villagers reported that we were on the footsteps of 

 a Portuguese half-caste, who, at Senga, lately tried to 

 purchase ivory, but, in consequence of his having mur- 

 dered a Chief near Zumbo and twenty of his men, the 

 people declined to trade with him. He threatened to 

 take the ivory by force, if they would not sell it ; but that 

 same night the ivory and the women were spirited out of 

 the village, and only a large body of armed men remained. 

 The trader, fearing that he might come off second best if it 

 came to blows, immediately departed. Chikwanitsela, or Se- 

 kuanangila is the paramount Chief of some fifty miles of the 

 northern bank of the Zambesi in this locality. He lives on 

 the opposite, or southern side, and there his territory is still 

 more extensive. "We sent him a present from Senga, and were 

 informed by a messenger next morning that he had a cough 

 and could not come over to see us. "And has his present a 

 cough too," remarked one of our party, "that it does not come 

 to us ? Is this the way your Chief treats strangers, receives 

 their present, and sends them no food in return ? " Our 

 men thought Chikwanitsela an uncommonly stingy fellow ; 

 but, as it was possible that some of them might yet wish 

 to return this way, they did not like to scold him more 

 than this, which was sufficiently to the point. 



Men and women were busily engaged in preparing the 

 ground for the November planting. Large game was abun- 



o 



