THE BA TEITE HEAR THE WORD OF GOD. 79 



years saved the life of Sechele, our chief, lives about ten days north-east of the 

 Batavana. The latter sent a present as a token of gratitude. This would 

 have been a good introduction ; the knowledge of the language, however, is 

 the best we can have. I endeavoured to construct a raft at a part which was 

 only 50 or 60 yards wide, but the wood, though sun-dried, was so heavy it 

 sunk immediately; another kind would not bear my weight, although a 

 considerable portion of my person was under water. I could easily have swam 

 across, and fain would have done it ; but landing without clothes, and then 

 demanding of the Bakoba the loan of a boat, would scarcely be the thing for 

 a messenger of peace, even though no alligator met me in the passage. These 

 and other thoughts were revolving in my mind as I stood in the water — for 

 most sorely do I dislike to be beaten — when my kind and generous friend, 

 Mr. Oswell, with whom alone the visit to Sebituane was to be made, offered to 

 bring up a boat at his own expense from the Cape, which, after visiting the 

 chief and coming round the north end of the lake, would become missionary 

 property. To him and our other companion, Mr. Murray, I feel greatly 

 indebted ; for the chief expense of the journey has been borne by them. They could 

 not have reached this point without my assistance ; but for the aid they 

 have rendered in opening up this field, I feel greatly indebted ; and should 

 any public notice be taken of this journey, I shall feel obliged to the directors 

 if they express my thankfulness. 



" The Bayeiye or Bakoba listened to the statements made from the 

 Divine Word with great attention, and, if I am not mistaken, seemed to 

 understand the message of mercy delivered better than any people to whom 

 I have preached for the first time. They have invariably a great many 

 charms in the villages ; stated the name of God in their language (without 

 the least hesitation) to be ' Oreaja,' mentioned the name of the first man and 

 woman, and some traditionary statements respecting the flood. I shall not, 

 however, take these for certain till I have more knowledge of their language, 

 They are found dwelling among the reeds all round the lake and on the banks 

 of all the rivers to the north. 



" With the periodical flow of the rivers, great shoals of fish descend. 

 The people could give no reason for the rise of the water, further than that a chief, 

 who fives in a part of the country to the north, called Mazzekiva, kills a man 

 annually, and throws his body into the stream, after which the water begins 

 to flow. When will they know Him who was slain, that whosoever will 

 may drink of the water of life freely ? 



" The sketch, which I enclose, is intended to convey an idea of the 

 Eiver Zouga and the Lake Ngami. The name of the latter is pronounced as 

 if written with the Spanish N, the g being inserted to show that the ringing 

 sound is required. The meaning is ' Great water.' The latitude taken by a 

 sextant, on which I can fully depend, was 20° 20' S., at the north-east extremity, 



