212 GARDEN AT MOSI-OA-TUNYA. CHAP. VIII. 



are heaps of them in various places. The villagers can 

 walk over them without getting them into their feet ; but 

 the Makololo, from having softer soles, are unable to do so. 

 The explanation offered was, that the fishermen have a 

 medicine against fish-bones, but that they will not reveal 

 it to the Makololo. 



We spent a night on Mparira island, which is four 

 miles long and about one mile broad. Mokompa, the head- 

 man, was away hunting elephants. His wife sent for 

 him on our arrival, and he returned next morning before 

 we left. Taking advantage of the long-continued drought, 

 he had set fire to the reeds between the Chobe and Zam- 

 besi, in such a manner as to drive the game out at one 

 corner, where his men laid in wait with their spears. He 

 had killed five elephants and three buffaloes, wounding 

 several others which escaped. 



On our land party coming up, we were told that the 

 oxen were bitten by the tstese : they could see a great dif- 

 ference in their looks. One was already eaten, and they 

 now wished to slaughter another. A third fell into a 

 buffalo-pit next day, so our stock was soon reduced. 



The Batoka chief, Moshobotwane, again treated us 

 with his usual hospitality, giving us an ox, some meal, and 

 milk. We took another view of the grand Mosi-oa-tunya, 

 and planted a quantity of seeds in the garden on the 

 island; but, as no one will renew the hedge, the hippo- 

 potami will, doubtless, soon destroy what we planted. 

 Mashotlane assisted us. So much power was allowed to 

 this under-chief, that he appeared as if he had cast off the 

 authority of Sekeletu altogether. He did not show much 

 courtesy to his messengers ; instead of giving them food, 

 as is customary, he took the meat out of a pot in their 

 presence, and handed it to his own followers. This may 

 have been because Sekeletu's men bore an order to him to 

 remove to Linyanti. He had not only insulted Baldwin, 



