Chap. XX 71. KINDNESS OF MAKOLOLO. 339 



to and from the capital. My clothing having gone on with an 

 advanced guard of our party, I lay down on the cold ground, 

 expecting to spend a miserable night, but Sekeletu kii-dly 

 covered me with his own blanket, and lay uncovered himself. 

 I was much affected by this little act of genuine kindness. Tf 

 such men must perish by the advance of civilization, as certain 

 races of animals do before others, it is a pity. God grant that 

 ere this time comes they may receive that gospel which is a 

 solace for the soul in death ! 



At Sesheke, Sekeletu supplied me with twelve oxen — three 

 of which were accustomed to being ridden upon, as well as 

 with hoes, and beads to purchase a canoe, when we should 

 strike the Zambesi beyond the falls. He likewise presented 

 abundance of good fresh butter and honey, and did everything 

 in his power to make me comfortable for the journey. 



On the 13th we left Sesheke, some sailing down the river 

 to the confluence of the Chobe, while others drove the cattle 

 along the banks. We spent one night at Alparia, the island 

 at the confluence of the Chobe, which is composed of trap, 

 containing crystals of quartz encrusted with green copper ore. 

 Attempting to proceed down the river next day, we were 

 detained some hours by a strong east wind, which raised 

 waves so large as to threaten to swamp the canoes. The 

 river is here very large and deep, and contains two consider- 

 able islands, which seem from either bank to be joined to 

 the opposite shore. While waiting for the wind to moderate, 

 my friends related the traditions of these islands : they were 

 formerly occupied by the Batoka, who used to entice wan- 

 dering tribes to them, and there starved them : Sebituane on 

 one occasion defeated this project with praiseworthy craft, 

 by compelling the chiefs to remain by his side till all his 

 cattle and people were ferried over. The Barotse believe that 

 at certain parts of the river a tremendous monster lies hid, 

 which lays hold of a canoe and keeps it motionless, in spite 

 of the utmost exertions of the paddlers. Near Nameta they 

 even objected to pass a spot supposed to be haunted, and 

 proceeded along a branch instead of the main stream. 



Having descended about ten miles, we came to the island 

 of Xampene, at the beginning of the rapids, where we were 

 obliged to leave the canoes and proceed along the banks on 



2 c 



