i882.] 
Among the Barotse. 
53 
GOOD RECEPTION BY THE HEADMEN. 
Having been introduced to the headmen of the town, I 
told them my errand, and they listened attentively. Their 
answer was that I was so far welcome, and that I had perfect 
liberty to go on to the king, but that the king's headmen 
were tired of teachers coming to the country and running away 
again. Their spokesman referred to M. Coillard's visit, and said 
he promised to return, but had not come. They heard last year 
that he was coming, and they hear again he is coming now, 
but they do not see him. They then spoke of the Jesuits, and 
how they had deceived them. As to my coming amongst them, 
they said they did not know what I meant to do, whether I would 
just see the chief and run away again, or remain. 
This tribe, or rather these tribes, are governed by the king and 
his headmen, who have a voice in most affairs. They seem 
determined not to be cheated any more. I tried to assure 
them that my intentions were sincere in coming amongst them, 
and that I was now willing, if I got permission, to remain 
with them. That pleased them better; in fact, the whole tribe 
have been waiting long for some teacher, and were compelled 
to think about receiving the Jesuits, although they did not like 
them. Boats are expected every day from the king to take 
them up. 
The headmen had a long talk over matters, and had Setobi 
with them to question him all about me. They told me in 
the afternoon that, as headmen of Shesheke, they had decided to 
receive me as a teacher into their country, on the understanding 
that I would not run away and leave them. 
After a good deal of talking, it was arranged that Mr. West- 
beech should go on to the king and tell him of my desire, 
and get him to send boats down to Shesheke ; and that I should 
first return with a boat, which the headmen would place at 
my disposal, to Panda-ma-tenka, and fetch the things I had 
left, and a few supplies to last me some months among the 
Barotse. 
The week I was at Shesheke I had several companies in my 
little reed-yard listening ; and one evening I overheard one man — 
a young headman, who had attended regularly — going over what 
he had heard. "The good Shepherd; He gave His life for 
