286 THEFT OF A CHICKEN. 



with a laugh, by saying he really had a complaint in his 

 stomach, which I might cure by slaughtering one of the 

 oxen and allowing him to eat beef. He was evidently 

 revelling in the abundance of good food the chief's orders 

 brought us. And he did not feel the shame I did, when 

 I gave a few beads only, in return for large baskets of 

 meal. 



A very old man visited us here with a present of maize : 

 like the others he had never before seen a white man, and, 

 when conversing with him, some of the young men 

 remarked that they were the true ancients, for they had 

 now seen more wonderful things than their forefathers. 



One of Intemese's men stole a fowl given me by the 

 lady of the village. When charged with the theft, every 

 one of Intemese's party vociferated his innocence, and 

 indignation at being suspected ; continuing their loud 

 asseverations and gesticulations for some minutes. One 

 of my men, Loyanke, went off to the village, brought the 

 lady who had presented the fowl to identify it, and then 

 pointed to the hut in which it was hidden. The Balonda 

 collected round him, evincing great wrath ; but Loyanke 

 seized his battleaxe in the proper manner for striking, 

 and, placing himself on a little hillock, soon made them 

 moderate their tones. Intemese then called on me to 

 send one of my people to search the huts, if I suspected 

 his people. The man sent soon found it, and brought it 

 out, to the confusion of Intemese and the laughter of our 

 party. This incident is mentioned to show that the 

 greater superstition which exists here, does not lead to the 

 practice of the virtues. We never met an instance like 

 this, of theft from a white man among the Makololo, 

 though they complain of the Makalaka as addicted to 

 pilfering. The honesty of the Bakwains has been already 

 noticed. Probably the estimation in which I was held 

 as a public benefactor, in which character I was not yet 

 known to the Balonda, may account for the sacredness 

 with which my property was always treated before. But 

 other incidents which happened subsequently showed, as 

 well as this, that idolaters are not so virtuous as those 

 who have no idols. 



As the people on the banks of the Leeba were the last 

 of Shinte's tribe over which Intemese had power, he was 

 naturally anxious to remain as long as possible. He was 

 not idle, but made a large wooden mortar and pestle for 



