Aug. 1882.] Among the Barotse. 47 
DIFFICULTIES WITH MY MEN. 
How I was ever to reach Panda-ma-tenka I did not know. 
After paying all off, I gathered them together, and, mustering all 
my Sechuana, I gave them a long address, speaking for fully an 
hour, and finished by showing them how cruel they were in 
forsaking me with little food by me, and no means of getting to 
Panda-ma-tenka. I should have to leave all my goods to be 
stolen by the Masaroa, or to burn them ; how would they answer 
to Kama when called upon to account for their actions, and how 
would they answer to God for leaving His servant to perish in 
the desert? Ramatlodi, the Bechuana, was the first to give in, 
though he was previously bent on returning; he, no doubt, felt 
the force of my remarks in speaking of Kama, and what he 
would think of his actions. He said he would not leave me, but 
would go to Panda-ma-tenka. Then three Basubia said they 
would not leave, and two Masaroa, who before refused my 
proffered hire, offered their services ; so that with Setobi I have 
my full complement of carriers. I will drive the donkeys myself, 
so that we shall get along famously. 
My purpose is to take a straight line from here to Panda-ma- 
tenka. The temptation certainly is strong to go round by the 
Victoria Falls ; but as neither the time nor the money I have 
belongs to me, I do not feel justified in adding three or four 
days' journey for mere sight-seeing. 
This evening, since the Basubia who refused to go further 
have departed, a much happier feeling seems to be among my 
men. I have served out as liberal a supply of food to them 
as I can, and they are talking of how well they will get along. 
We have three days' desert between this and Panda-ma-tenka, 
but the men say they are wilUng to travel night and day if 
I like. 
August i^th. — I would gladly rest here to-day, but have 
no food for the men. Mr. Westbeech left behind him two little 
goats, which I shall kill. I intend to start this evening and 
make a push for Panda-ma-tenka. Having sixty miles of dry 
country before me, and the donkeys being in a poor way, and 
little able to stand more thirst, we shall begin to travel night 
and day. 
