PUBLIC ADDRESSES 
136 
Thoro is no stated day of rest in any part of this country, 
except tho day after tho appearance of the now moon ; and 
tho pooplo then refrain only from going to their gardens. 
A curious custom, not to bo found among tho Bechuanas, 
prevails among tho black tribes beyond them. They watch 
most eagerly for tho first glimpse of tho now moon, and, 
when they perceive tho faint outline after the sun has set 
deep in tho west, they utter a loud shout of “ Kua !” and 
vociforato prayers to it. My men, for instanco, called out, 
“Let our journey with the white man bo prosperous 1 Let 
our enemies perish, and the children of Nake bocomo rich! 
May ho have plenty of meat on this journoy !” &c. &c. 
I gave many public addresses to the people of Sesheko 
under tho outspreading camol-thorn-treo, which serves as a 
shado to tho kotla on tho high bank of tho river. It was 
pleasant to see the long lines of men, women, and children 
winding along from different quarters of tho town, each 
party following behind their respective head-men. They 
ofton amounted to between five and six hundred souls, and 
required an exertion of voice which brought back the com- 
plaint for which I had got tho uvula excised at the Cape. 
They were always vory attentive; and Moriantsane, in 
order, as he thought, to please me, on one occasion rose up 
in tho middle of the discourse, and hurled his staff at tho 
heads of some young fellows whom ho saw working with 
a skin instead of listening. My hearers sometimes put vory 
sensible questions on tho subjects brought before them ; at 
other times they introduced the most frivolous nonsense 
immediately after hearing the most solemn truths. Some 
begin to pray to Jesus in secret as soon as they hear of the 
white man’s God, with but little idea of what they are 
about, and no doubt are heard by Him who, like a father 
pitieth his children. Others, waking by night, recollect 
what has been said about tho future world so clearly that 
they toll next day what a fright they got by it, and resolve 
not to listen to tho teaching again ; and not a few keep to 
the determination not to boliovo, as certain villagers in th« 
