UBERAUTY OF THE PEOPLE. 229 



called expressly for the purpose. Lerimo was present, 

 and felt rather crestfallen when his exploit was described 

 by Mohorisi, one of my companions, as one of extreme 

 cowardice, he having made an attack upon the defenceless 

 villagers of Londa, while, as we had found on our former 

 visit, a Hon had actually killed eight people of Naliele, 

 without his daring to encounter it. The Makololo are 

 cowardly in respect to animals, but brave against men. 

 Mpololo took all the guilt upon himself before the people, 

 and delivered up a captive child whom his wife had in her 

 possession ; others followed his example till we procured 

 the release of five of the prisoners. Some thought, as 

 Masiko had tried to take their children by stratagem, 

 they ought to take his by force, as the two modes suited 

 the genius of each people — the Makalaka delight in 

 cunning, and the Makololo in fighting ; and others 

 thought, if Sekeletu meant them to be at peace with 

 Masiko, he ought to have told them so. 



It is rather dangerous to tread in the footsteps of a 

 marauding party with men of the same tribe as the 

 aggressors, but my people were in good spirits, and several 

 volunteers even offered to join our ranks. We, however, 

 adhered strictly to the orders of Sekeletu as to our 

 companions, and refused all others. 



The people of every village treated us most liberally, 

 presenting, besides oxen, butter, milk, and meal, more than 

 we could stow away in our canoes. The cows in this 

 valley are now yielding, as they frequently do, more milk 

 than the people can use, and both men and women present 

 butter in such quantity, that I shall be able to refresh my 

 men as we move along. Anointing the skin prevents the 

 excessive evaporation of the fluids of the body, and acts 

 as clothing in both sun and shade. They always made 

 their presents gracefully. When an ox was given, the 

 owner would say, " Here is a little bit of bread for you." 

 This was pleasing, for I had been accustomed to the 

 Bechuanas presenting a miserable goat, with the pompous 

 exclamation, " Behold an ox!" The women persisted in 

 giving me copious supplies of shrill praises, or " lulli- 

 looing ; " but though I frequently told them to modify 

 their " great lords " and " great lions " to more humble 

 expressions, they so evidently intended to do me honour, 

 that I could not help being pleased with the poor creatures' 

 wishes for our success. 



