i882.] 
On the Way to the Zambesi. 
29 
The next village we reached was a small one. The men were 
all away hunting, and the women out working, so we passed on. 
We were not, however, able to reach the third village, for my 
feet were sorely bhstered, and so were Ramosi's. He said the 
road was kilHng him. Turning our course for the waggon, we 
reached it after again crossing the stretch of reeds. 
Tuesday was a very stormy day, the sand blowing all round in 
great clouds, and we did not venture out \ my feet were also 
too sore. On Wednesday we started again on the donkeys for a 
village called Sosineu, which we reached about mid-day, and 
found it quite a town. As we entered the donkeys caused a 
great sensation. I suppose it was the first time such an animal 
had been seen there. The people are Makalako, from the 
Matabele country. They all understand Sechuana well, but are 
wild and savage-looking. Taking our seats in the kotla^ one of 
the head men sent a messenger to call the people, and he went 
round shouting in a most frantic manner. Every time he reached 
the climax of his sentence he threw his arms into the air and 
jumped up, as if he were calling the people to a war dance. 
His cry was for all the people — men, women, and children — 
to come for " Sunday." In a short time a large crowd gathered, 
the men sitting in one large ring, the women in another, and 
we continued the meeting for fully two hours. I had, of course, 
to keep very close to passages of Scripture, such as the Lord's 
words in John x. The Shepherd giving His life for the sheep was 
an illustration that seemed to get their attention. It was one they 
could understand even better than people at home. They have, 
however, little idea of what sin is ; but the Spirit of God is able 
to convince of sin, and may please to use a very feeble word for 
that end. Ramosi spoke very earnestly on the same subject. It 
was evening ere we reached the waggon. 
THE BOTLETLE RIVER. 
We are not going to stay here eight days after all, but move off 
to-day, so I shall not get to another village that I intended 
visiting before leaving this part. Tinka has just told me that 
he will have no difficulty in reaching the Mababi now. There is 
w^ater on ahead. I hope to be at the Zambesi, "if the Lord 
will," in four weeks' time, which will be within a few days of 
