182 
EXECUTION OF MPEPE. 
Chap. IX. 
teered to accompany me; and when we got about sixty miles 
away, on tlie road to Sesbeke, we encountered Mpepe. Tbe 
Makololo, tbough possessing abundance of cattle, bad never 
attempted to ride oxen, until I advised it in 1851. Tbe Becbu- 
anas generally were in tbe same condition, imtil Europeans came 
among tliem and imparted tbe idea of riding. All tbeir journeys 
previously were performed on foot. Sekeletu and bis companions 
were mounted on oxen, tbougb, having neither saddle nor bridle, 
they were perpetually falling off Mpepe, armed with liis bttle 
axe, came along a path parallel to, but a quarter of a mile distant 
from, that of our party; and when be saw Sekeletu be ran with 
all bis might towards us; but Sekeletu, being on his guard, gal¬ 
loped off to an adjacent village. He then withdrew somewhere 
till all our party came up. Mpepe bad given bis own party to 
understand that be would cut down Sekeletu, either on then first 
meeting, or at tbe breaking up of tbeir first conference. Tbe 
former intention having been thus frustrated, be then determined 
to effect Ins pinpose after tbeir first interview. I happened to sit 
down between tbe two in tbe but where they met: being tired 
with riding all day in tbe sun, I soon asked Sekeletu where I 
should sleep, and be repbed, Come, I will show you.” As we 
rose together, I unconsciously covered Sekeletu’s body with 
mine, and saved Inm from tbe blow of the assassin. I knew 
nothing of tbe plot, but remarked that all Mpepe’s men kept 
bold of tbeir arms, even after we had sat down—-a tiring quite 
unusual in the presence of a cliief; and when Sekeletu showed 
me tbe but in which I was to spend the night, be said to me, 
“ That man wishes to kill me.” I afterwards learnt that some 
of Mpepe’s attendants bad divulged the secret; and, bearing in 
mind Iris father’s instructions, Sekeletu put Mpepe to death that 
night. It was managed so quietly, that, although I was sleeping 
witlnn a few yards of the scene, I knew nothing of it till the next 
day. Nokuane went to the fire at wliich Mpepe sat, with a 
handful of snuff, as if he were about to sit down and regale him¬ 
self therewith. Mpepe said to liim, “Nsepisa” (cause me to take 
a pinch) ; and, as he held out Iris hand, Nolmane caught hold of 
it, while another man seized the other hand, and, leading him out 
a mile, speared liim. This is the common mode of executing 
crimmals. They are not allowed to speak; though on one occa- 
