246 
LIBERALITY OF THE PEOPLE. 
Chap. XIV. 
without his daring to encounter it. The Makololo are cowardly 
in respect to animals, but brave against men. Mpololo took all 
the guilt upon himself before the people, and delivered up a 
captive child whom his wife had in her possession ; others fol¬ 
lowed his example till w^e procured tlie release of five of the 
prisoners. Some thought, as Masiko had tried to take their 
children by stratagem, they ought to take his by force, as the 
two modes suited the genius of each people—the Makalaka 
delight in cunning, and the Makololo in fighting; and others 
thought, if Sekeletu meant them to be at peace with Masiko, he 
ought to have told them so. 
It is rather dangerous to tread in the footsteps of a marauding 
party with men of the same tribe as the aggressors, but my 
people were in good spirits, and several volunteers even offered 
to join our ranks. We, however, adhered strictly to the orders 
of Sekeletu as to our companions, and refused all others. 
The people of every village treated us most liberally, present¬ 
ing, besides oxen, butter, milk, and meal, more than we could 
stow away in our canoes. The cows in this valley are now yield¬ 
ing, as they frequently do, more milk than the people can use, 
and both men and women present butter in such quantity, that 
I shall be able to refresh my men as v/e move along. Anointing 
the sldn prevents the excessive evaporation of the fiuids of the 
body, and acts as clothing in both sun and shade. They always 
made their presents gracefully. When an ox was given, the 
OAvner would say, Here is a little bit of bread for you.” This 
Avas pleasing, for I had been accustomed to the Bechuanas pre¬ 
senting a miserable goat, Avith the pompous exclamation, Be¬ 
hold an ox ! ” The AA^omen persisted in giving me copious sup¬ 
plies of shrill praises, or “ lullilooing; ” but though I frequently 
told them to modify their “ great lords ” and great lions ” to 
more humble expressions, they so evidently intended to do me 
honour, that I could not help being pleased with the poor 
creatures’ Avishes for our success. 
The rains began while Ave Avere at Haliele; this is much later 
than usual, but, though the Barotse valley has been in need of 
rain, the people never lack abundance of food. The shoAvers 
are refreshing, but the air feels hot and close ; the thermometer 
hoAvever, in a cool hut, stands only at 84°. The access of the 
