884.] 
Among the Barotse. 
95 
1 Another old man tested by the boiling pot to-day; he 
was supposed to have bewitched the king's brother, who, though 
a young man, is so fat that walking is a difficulty to him ; imagin- 
ing that his fat was leaving him he decided that this old man 
must be the wizard. 
20th. — The old man has, strange to say, come out of the trial 
uninjured. I saw him twice dip his hands into boiling water, 
allowing the water to run over his wrists as he lifted his hands 
out, and yet to-day his skin seems quite natural. The only 
cause for this I can think of is that he is nearly a century 
old, and his hands are as tough as tough can be. This was 
flourished before me as a great victory, achieved under my very 
eyes, in favour of the boiling-pot trials. The advocates for this 
piece of barbarism declare that if the hands of an infant who 
knew nothing of witchcraft were placed in boiling water, not 
a particle of skin would come off. They delight in the 
practice, because by it the rich can get rid of their poorer 
enemies without staining their own hands with the poor men's 
blood. 
PROMISE SENHOR PORTO TO LEAVE WITH HIM. 
April 22nd. — Gumbela and some of my friends seemed to 
think it was well that I should leave just now, because of the 
troubles brewing, so I told Senhor Porto that I would accompany 
him to Bihe. 
27//^. — Down again with fever since my last note; it has left ^ 
me weak indeed ; I hope soon to be out of the valley, on to the 
fine hills to the west. 
BID FAREWELL TO THE KING. 
May 1st. — As the king sent word that a boat was ready for me, 
I packed up, sending to his house what things I was unable to take 
with me, and giving the key of my house to one of his servants. 
When I went to say good-bye, he shook hands long and warmly, 
saying, "You are my friend; come back very soon. But,'' he 
added in a tone of sadness, "you may not find me here." 
T,rd. — Alarming news as to the Barotse; plans are laid for 
a revolt against Liwanika, and it is intended to set up the son 
of Sekuferu. 
