18i 
MODE OF TRYING OFFENCES. 
Chap. IX. 
if frivolous, lie may give tlie complainant a scolding, and put a 
stop to the case in the middle of the complaint, or he may allow 
it to go on without paying any attention to it whatever. Family 
quarrels are often treated in this way, and then a man may be 
seen stating his case with great fluency, and not a soul listening 
to him. But if it is a case between influential men, or brought 
on by under-cliiefs, then the greatest decorum prevails. If the 
cliief does not see his way clearly to a decision, he remains 
silent; the elders then rise one by one and give their opinions, 
often in the way of advice rather than as decisions; and when the 
chief flnds the general sentiment agreeing in one view, he de¬ 
livers his judgment accordingly. He alone speaks sitting: all 
others stand. 
ISTo one refuses to acquiesce in the decision of the chief, as he 
has the power of life and death in liis hands, and can enforce the 
law to that extent if he chooses; but grumbling is allowed, and, 
wlien marked favouritism is shown to any relative of the chief, 
the people generally are not so astonished at the partiality as we 
would be in England. 
This system was found as well developed among the Makololo 
as among the Bakwains, or even better, and is no foreign im¬ 
portation. When at Cassange, my men had a slight quarrel 
among themselves, and came to me, as to their cliief, for judg¬ 
ment. This had occurred several times before, so without a 
thought I went out of the Portuguese merchant’s house in which 
I was a guest, sat doivn, and heard the complaint and defence in 
the usual way. When I had given my decision in the common 
admonitory form, they went off apparently satisfied. Several 
Portuguese, who had been vieiving the proceedings with great 
interest, complimented me on the success of my teaching them 
how to act in litigation; but I could not take any credit to my¬ 
self for the system wliich I had found ready-made to my hands. 
Soon after our arrival at Linyanti, Sekeletu took me aside, and 
pressed me to mention those tilings I lilced best and hoped to 
get from him. Anything, either m or out of his town, should be 
freely given if I would only mention it. I explained to him that 
my object was to elevate him and his people to be Christians; 
but he replied he did not wish to learn to read the Book, for he 
was afraid “it might change his heart, and make liim content 
