62 CHARACTER OF SEBITUANE. Chap. IV 



landed, they had only to perform the part of executioners 

 on the adults, and adopted the rest into their own tribe. 

 Mosilikatse next sent an immense army who carried canoes 

 with them that no such mishap might occur again. Sebituane 

 collected his men and cattle on the island of Loyelo, and 

 watched the Matebele so closely that they could not cross the 

 river without parting their forces. At last he went towards 

 them, and, addressing them by an interpreter, asked why 

 they wished to kill him ; he had never attacked them, never 

 haimed their chief: " Au !" he continued, "the guilt is on 

 your side." The Matebelo made no reply ; but their canoes 

 were found smashed and the owners gone. They set out 

 to return to their own country, but fever, famine, and the 

 Batoka destroyed them, and only five men got back to 

 Mosilikatse. 



Sebituane had now not only conquered all the black tribes 

 over an immense tract of country, but had made himself 

 dreaded even by the terrible Mosilikatse. He was as benevo- 

 lent in peace as he had been courageous in war. He had the 

 art of gaining the affections both of his own people and of 

 strangers. When a party of poor men came to his town to 

 sell their hoes or skins, he would go alone to them, and 

 inquire if they were hungry. He would then order an 

 attendant to bring meal, milk, and honey, and make them 

 feast, perhaps for the first time in their lives, on a lordly 

 dish. Delighted with his affability, they gave him all the 

 information in their power, and he knew everything that 

 happened in the country. He never allowed a part}* of 

 strangers to go away without giving a present to every one of 

 them, servants and all. Thus his praises were sounded far 

 and wide. "He has a heart! he is wise!" were the usual 

 expressions we heard before we saw him. 



He was much pleased with the proof of confidence we had 

 shown in bringing our children, and promised to take us to 

 see his country, that we might choose a part in which to 

 settle. Our plan was, that I should remain in the pursuit of 

 my objects as a missionary, while Mr. Oswell explored the 

 Zambesi to the east. Just however as he had established 

 relations with the white man, which had long been his pre- 

 dominant desire, Sebituane fell sick of inflammation of the 



