824 THE author’s influence with the natives. 
the unbounded admiration of my men by their knowledge 
of the different kinds of plants, which, as they remarked, 
“tho animals had nevor beforo seen in their own country;” 
and when tho donkeys indulged in their music thoj 
startled the inhabitants more than if they had been lions 
We never rode them, nor yet the horse which had boer 
given by tho bishop, for fear of hurting them by any 
work. 
Although thoMakololo were so confiding, the reader must 
not imagine that they would bo so to every individual who 
might visit them. Much of my influence depended upon 
tho good name given me by the Bak wains, and that I 
secured only through a long course of tolerably good con- 
duct. No one ever gains much influence irf this country 
without purity and uprightness. The acts of a stranger 
are keenly scrutinized by both young and old; and seldom 
is the judgment pronounced, even by tho heathen, unfair 
or uncharitable. I have hoard women speaking in admira- 
tion of a white man because he was pure and never was 
guilty of any secret immorality. Had he been, they would 
have known it, and, untutored heathen though they be, 
would have despised him in consequence. Secret vice 
becomes known throughout the tribe; and, while one un- 
acquainted with the languago may imagine a peccadillo to 
be hidden, it is as patent to all aB it would be in London 
had he a placard on his back. 
27th October, 1855. — Tho first continuous rain of the 
season commenced during the night, the wind being from 
the N.E., as it always was on like occasions at Kolobeng. 
Tho rainy season was thus begun, and I made ready to go 
The mother of Sekelotu prepared a bag of groundnuts, hy 
frying them with cream with a little salt, as a sort of sand- 
wiches for my journey. This is considered food fit for » 
chief. Others ground the maize from my own garden into 
meal, and Sokeletu pointed out Sekwebu and Kunyata as 
the persons who should head the party intendod to form 
my company. SekweOu had beon captured by tho Matobele 
