1 882.] 
On the Way to the Zambesi. 
19 
from him to cross, and to stay among the Batoka and the 
Bashukulumbe on the hills on the other side. Were I able to do 
so it would be of great advantage to me. But ''lay hands 
suddenly on no man " is acknowledged to be a most important 
principle by the natives here ; and the chiefs must have time to 
think about any proposal. To be kept waiting on the Zambesi 
for some months, for permission to cross and live on the high, 
healthy country on the other side of the river, might be accom- 
panied with the most serious results, humanly speaking. They' 
tell me that five white men out of six cannot live in the Zambesi 
valley ; but during the winter months it can be visited and passed 
through with comparative safety. 
The other way that I speak of might yet be opened up, 
though it is not at present; viz., to go down to the town of 
Silika, a small chief, 80 or 100 miles from here, who pays tribute 
to Kama. Three of M. Coillard's native evangehsts are there at 
present. Silika, however, has recently forbidden his people to 
listen to them ; moreover, Kama has only partly given his consent 
to my going there. Mr. Hepburn thinks Kama could not 
possibly let me go until he had first consulted with M. Coillard, 
when opportunity offered. There are no other towns around 
here to which I could go. 
From Shoshong to the Zambesi the country is peopled by only a 
few scattered Bushmen. South of this the Bechuana towns are few 
and far between. The Matabele country Hes to the north-east, 
where there certainly are masses of heathen ; but they do not speak 
or understand the Sechuana tongue. The four London Society 
missionaries who are there can scarcely get man or child to listen 
to them. One man, of whom I heard the other day, made a 
profession, and was instantly put to death by the chief. 
To return to your letter. I certainly value your advice not to 
proceed further without a companion ; and as I believe this to be 
the wish, not only of my friends, but also of older Christians, it 
has cast me much on the Lord as to whether it is His will that I 
should return the way I came. God has helped me much with 
the Sechuana language, which is understood among the Zambesi 
tribes; and He has given me excellent health, so that I have 
passed through the most unhealthy season with scarcely a touch 
of fever where others have suffered much. 
