136 WARLIKE DEMONSTRATION. Chap. X. 



The ivory is sold with the approbation of his counsellors, 

 and the proceeds are distributed in open day among the 

 people. He retains a small portion only for his own share, 

 and, if he is not more liberal to others than to himself, he 

 loses in popularity. I have known instances in which 

 individuals who had been overlooked fled to other chiefs. 



An example of this will illustrate the mode in which con- 

 tests are generated in Africa. A discontented person fled 

 to Lechulatebe in the lake Ngami district, and was encouraged 

 to go to a village of the Bapalleng, where he abstracted the 

 tribute of ivory which ought to have come to Sekeletu. This 

 theft enraged the whole of the Makololo, who had part in the 

 loss. To show their intention of resenting such usage, about 

 five hundred of them went through a mimic fight, in the 

 presence of some of Lechulatebe's people who came on a visit 

 to Linyanti. The principal warriors pointed their spears 

 towards the lake where the chief who had wronged them lived, 

 and every thrust was answered by all with the shout, " Hoo !" 

 while every stab on the ground drew forth a simultaneous 

 " Huzz ! " On these occasions everybody capable of bearing 

 arms must turn out. In the time of the warlike Sebituane 

 any one who remained in his house was killed. 



The Makololo performance had no effect. Lechulatebe 

 aggravated his offence by repeating it, and by a song which 

 was sung in his town, expressive of joy at the death of 

 Sebituane. That famous conqueror had carried off many 

 cattle from Lechulatebe's father. The son had now got 

 possession of fire-arms, and, considering himself more than a 

 match for the Makololo, was bent on retaliation. I despatched 

 a message to him, advising him to cease his provocation, and 

 especially the song ; because, though Sebituane was dead, the 

 arms with which he had fought were still alive and strong. 

 Sekeletu, remembering his father's injunctions to promote 

 peace, sent ten cows to be exchanged for sheep. Lechulatebe 

 took the cows and returned an equal number of sheep, 

 though, according to the relative value of sheep and cows, 

 he ought to have given sixty or seventy. One of the men 

 who conducted the cattle was trying to purchase goats in 

 a village without formal leave from the chief ; Lechulatebe 

 punished him by making him sit some hours on the broiling 



