352 
SOUTHERN AFRICA, 
schoah observed, that such laws might be there 
very proper, but would never suit a country like 
theirs, in which so large a proportion of the men 
were cut off in time of war. The wine and con- 
versation caused the ladies to prolong their visit 
somewhat beyond what was expected or wished ; 
and it was dark before they took their departure. 
Dr Lichtenstein's residence was interrupted by 
an unwelcome request from the king. That 
prince was then about to engage in war against 
his neighbour Makkrakka, to aid him in which, 
he asked the travellers to follow with their fire- 
arms. Dr Lichtenstein excused himself from 
complying ; but a serious consultation then arose 
among the party as to the course they were to 
follow. It was their wish to have prosecuted their 
journey in a south-westerly direction, avoiding 
the scene of hostilities ; but an examination into 
the state of their equipage left no doubt as to the 
expediency of returning homewards. 
The Boshuanas, whom Dr Lichtenstein calls in 
preference Beetjuanas, Sihtjuanas, or Muhtjuanas, 
consist of a number of tribes belonging to the 
same race, who extend from thirteen to eighteen 
days' journey north from the river Kuruhman. 
The Matchapins, the possessors of Leetakoo, are 
a comparatively small tribe, numbering not more 
than five thousand fighting men. Ten days* jour- 
ney to the east are the Thammacha, a much more 
