A FIGHT ANTICIPATED. 
381 
JBver sinco dawn, pnrtios of armod men havo been soon 
collecting from all quarters, and numbors passed us while 
it was yot dark. Had we moved down the river at once, 
it would havo boon considered an indication of fear or 
defianco, and so would a retreat. I thoroforo rosolved to 
wait, trusting to Him who has the hearts of all men in 
his hands. They evidently intended to attack us, for no 
friondly message was sent; and, when throe of tho Batoka 
the night before entered tho village to beg food, a man 
wont round about each of them, making a noiso like a lion 
Tho villagers then called upon them to do homago, and, 
when they complied, tho chief ordered sorao chaff to bo 
given them, as if it had beon food. Otho) things also 
showod unmistakablo hostility. As wo woro now pretty 
cortain of a skirmish, I ordorod an ox to bo slaughtered, 
as this is a means which Sobituano employed for inspiring 
courage. I havo no doubt that wo should havo boon vic- 
torious : indeed, my men, who wore far bettor acquainted 
with fighting than any of tho pooplo on tho Zambesi, woro 
rojoicing in tho prospect of securing captives to carry the 
tusks for them. “We shall now,” said they, “got both 
corn and clothes in plenty.” Thoy woro in a sad state, 
poor follows ; for the rains wo had encountered had made 
their skin-clothing drop off piocomcal, and thoy woro 
lookod upon with disgust by tho woll-fcd and woll-olothod 
Zambosians. Thoy wore, howovor, veterans in maraud 
ing; and tho hcad-mon, instead of being depressed by foar, 
as tho pooplo of Mpondo intended should bo tho caso in 
using thoir charms, hinted broadly to mo that I ought to 
allow thorn to kcop Mpcndo’s wives. Tho roasting of moat 
Wont on fast and fhrious, and somo of tho young mon said 
to me, “You havo soon us with elephants, but you don’t 
know yot what wo can do with men.” I boliovo that, 
bad Mpondo struck tho first blow, ho would soon have 
found out that ho never made a creator mistake in hia 
lifo. 
His whole tribe was assomblod at about tho distance of 
