GENEROSITY OF MAKOI,OU>. 481 



strangers passing to and from the capital. My clothing 

 having gone on, I lay down on the cold ground, expecting 

 to spend a miserable night, but Sekeletu kindly covered 

 me with his own blanket and lay uncovered himself. I 

 was much affected by this little act of genuine kindness. 

 If 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 ! 



While at Sesheke, Sekeletu supplied me with twelve 

 oxen — three of which were accustomed to being ridden 

 upon — hoes, and beads to purchase a canoe, when we 

 should strike the Leeambye 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. I was entirely dependent on his generosity, 

 for the goods I originally brought from the Cape were all 

 expended by the time I set off from Linyanti to the west 

 coast. I there drew £70 of my salary, paid my men with 

 it, and purchased goods for the return journey to Liny an ti. 

 These being now all expended, the Makololo again fitted 

 me out, and sent me on to the east coast. I was thus 

 dependent on their bounty, and that of other Africans, for 

 the means of going from Linyanti to Loanda, and again 

 from Linyanti to the east coast ; and I feel deeply grateful 

 to them. Coin would have been of no benefit, for gold 

 and silver are quite unknown. We were here joined by 

 Moriantsdne, uncle of Sekeletu, and head-man of Sesheke, 

 and, entering canoes on the 13th, some sailed down the 

 river to the confluence of the Chobe, while others drove 

 the cattle along the banks, spending one night at Mparia, 

 the island at the confluence of the Chobe, which is com- 

 posed of trap, having crystals of quartz in it, coated with 

 a pelHcle of green copper ore. Attempting to proceed 

 down the river next day, we were detained some hours by 

 a strong east wind, raising waves so large as to threaten 

 to swamp the canoes. The river is here very large and 

 deep, and contains two considerable islands, which from 

 either bank seemed to be joined to the opposite shore. 

 While waiting for the wind to moderate, my friends related 

 the traditions of these islands, and, as usual, praised the 

 wisdom of Sebituane in balking the Batoka, who formerly 

 enticed wandering tribes to them, and starved them, by 

 compelling the chiefs to remain by his side till all his 



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