190 MANENKO A SCOLD. Chap. XV. 



but in their opinion, which, I am sure, every Englishman will 

 endorse, there is nothing equal to roast beef. The ox was 

 intended for Masiko, but his men were very anxious to get 

 my sanction for slaughtering it on the spot, in which case not 

 many ounces would have remained in the morning. I should 

 have given permission if I had had anything else to offer 

 in return for Masiko's generosity. 



We were now without any provisions except a dole of 

 manioc-roots each evening from Nyamoana, which, when eaten 

 raw, produce poisonous effects. A small loaf of maize-meal 

 was all my stock, and our friends from Masiko were still more 

 destitute ; yet we all rejoiced so much at their arrival that 

 we resolved to spend a day with them. The Barotse of our 

 party, meeting with friends among the Barotse of Masiko, 

 had many tales to tell ; and, after an agreeable chat by day, 

 we regaled our friends with the magic lantern by night, 

 having first, in order to make it available for all, removed our 

 camp to the village of Nyamoana. 



When erecting onr sheds at the village, Manenko fell upon 

 our friends from Masiko in a way that left no doubt as to her 

 powers of scolding. Masiko had once sent to Samoana for a 

 cloth, which is a common way of keeping up intercourse ; 

 after receiving it, he returned it, because it had the appear- 

 ance of having had "witchcraft medicine" on it; this was a 

 grave offence, and Manenko had now a good excuse for 

 retaliation, as his ambassadors had slept in one of the huts of 

 her village without asking leave. She set upon them in style, 

 advancing and receding in true oratorical style, belabouring 

 her own servants for allowing the offence, and raking up 

 the faults and failings of the objects of her ire ever since they 

 were born ; in conclusion expressing her despair of ever seeing 

 them become better until they were all "killed by alligators." 

 Masiko's people received this torrent of abuse in silence, and, 

 as neither we nor they had anyihing to eat, we parted next 

 morning. In reference to the sale of slaves, they promised to 

 explain to Masiko the relationship which exists between even 

 the most abject of his people and our common Father, and 

 that no more kidnapping ought to be allowed. We promised 

 to return through his town when we came back from the sea- 

 coast. 



