192 
CAUSE OF A WAR. 
[1820. 
US the hope of being able to proceed on our 
journey in the morning. 
Our Matchappees received intelligence from 
some Mashows during the afternoon, which we 
feared might dispose them to refuse proceeding 
any farther up the country. The following are 
the particulars :— The King of Marootzee's son had 
married a chief's daughter from a neighbouring 
town. A short time after the marriage he had 
gone on a visit to her relations, who presented 
him with a ring upon the occasion. Happening 
to die two days after his return from the visit, 
the Marootzee attributed it to some evil influence 
in the ring. On this account they made war 
against the nation from whom the ring came, and 
captured many of their cattle. Makabba on 
hearing of this, and learning where the captured 
cattle were kept, went at the head of his people 
and seized them. His son remonstrated against 
this act, saying, " That he professed to live in 
peace with the Marootzee, with the Matchappees, 
and with other neighbouring nations, and that this 
conduct was not the way to make peace but war." 
These arguments prevailed, and he did not carry 
off the cattle. 
29th. On awaking in the morning, I found the 
rain descending in torrents, and no indication of 
its soon ceasing. Again we found our waggons 
