SOUTHERN AFRICA* 
348 
a wood of fine trees, arrived at Leetakoo. They 
were conducted to a spot shaded by three Giraffe 
trees, of which the middle one was particujarly 
fine, and said to be the favourite tree of the king. 
An immense crowd soon assembled, and blocked 
up the passage of the waggons. Kok expressed a 
wish to see the king, who quickly appeared ; an 
old man about sixty, of a serious aspect, with a 
mantle over his shoulders, and a cap on his head. 
He approached slowly, followed by a number of 
men of his own age, who formed a semicircle be- 
hind him. He welcomed them cordially, and pro- 
mised soon to pay them a visit at their own resi- 
dence. After some conversation, a pipe of tobacco 
was presented to his majesty ; who, having lighted 
it, immediately began to inhale the smoke by large 
draughts after the African manner. He then hand- 
ed it over his shoulder to the prime minister, who, 
having imitated his master's example, transferred 
it to another, and it thus passed from hand to hand, 
till it reached the lowest of the train. As evening 
approached, the monarch took his leave. 
From this time, visits were frequent ; and on 
one occasion, the king brought his two wives to 
see the strangers. One of them was called Makait- 
schoah, about twenty-two years old, and of extreme 
beauty. This quality had led the king to raise 
her from the lowest rank, and make her his princi- 
pal wife. The other was Marani, only fifteen, not 
