Chap. VII. 
MR. GORDON GUMMING. 
151 
In no part of this country could European grain be cultivated 
without irrigation. The natives all cultivate the dourrha or 
holcus sorghum, maize, pumpkins, melons, cucumbers, and 
different kinds of beans; and they are entirely dependent for 
the growth of these on rains. Their instrument of culture is the 
hoe, and the cliief labour falls on the female portion of the com¬ 
munity. In this respect the Bechuanas closely resemble the 
Caffres. The men engage in hunting, milk the cows, and have 
the entire control of the cattle ; they prepare the skins, make 
the clothing, and in many respects may be considered a nation 
of tailors. 
When at Sekomi’s we generally have heard his praises sounded 
by a man who rises at break of day and utters at the top of his 
voice the oration which that ruler is said to have composed at his 
boguera. This repetition of his “ leina,” or oration, is so pleasing 
to a chief that he generally sends a handsome present to the 
man who does it. 
January 28^A.—Passing on to Letloche, about twenty miles 
beyond the Bamangwato, we found a fine supply of water. This 
is a point of so much interest in that coimtry that the first ques¬ 
tion we ask of passers by is Have you had water ? ” the first 
inquiry a native puts to a feUow-countryman is “ Where is the 
rain ? ” and, though they are by no means an untruthful nation, 
the answer generally is, “ I don’t know—^there is none—-we are 
killed with hunger and by the sun.” If news is asked for, they 
commence with There is no news, I heard some lies only,” and 
then tell all they know. 
This spot was Mr. Gordon Cumming’s furthest station north. 
Our house at Kolobeng having been quite in the hunting- 
country, rhinoceros and buffaloes several times rushed past, 
and I was able to shoot the latter twice from our own door. 
We were favoured by visits from this famous hunter during each 
of the five years of his warfare with wild animals. Many English 
gentlemen following the same pursuits paid their guides and 
assistants so punctually that in making arrangements for them 
we had to be careful that four did not go where two only were 
wanted: they knew so well that an Englishman would pay that 
they depended implicity on his word of honour, and not only 
would they go and hunt for five or six months in the north. 
