Chap. XV. 
SEKELENKE’S PEESEXT. 
269 
wlio liad been in the habit of visiting these parts, was believed 
by the Balonda to have acted as a guide to the marauders under 
Lerimo, whose captives we were now returning. They very 
nateally suspected this, from the facility with wliich their vil¬ 
lages had been found, and, as they had since removed them to 
some distance from the river, they were unwilling to lead us to 
their places of concealment. We were in bad repute, but, having 
a captive boy and girl to show in evidence of Sekeletu and our¬ 
selves not being partakers in the guilt of inferior men, I could 
freely express my desme that all should live in peace. They 
evidently felt that I ought to have taught the Makololo first, 
before coming to them, for they remarked that what I advanced 
was very good, but guilt lay at the door of the Makololo for 
disturbing the previously existing peace. They then went away 
to report us to Manenko. 
When the strangers visited us again in the evening, they 
were accompanied by a number of the people of an Ambonda 
chief named Sekelenke. The Ambonda live far to the N.W.; 
their language, the Bonda, is the common dialect in Angola. 
Sekelenke had fled, and was now living with his village as a 
vassal of Masiko. As notices of such men will perhaps convey 
the best idea of the state of the inliabitants to the reader, I 
shall hereafter allude to the conduct of Sekelenke, whom I at 
present only introduce. Sekelenke had gone with liis villagers 
to hunt elephants on the right bank of the Leeba, and was now 
on his way back to Masiko. He sent me a dish of boiled zebra’s 
flesh, and a request that I should lend liim a canoe to ferry his 
wives and family across the river to the bank on which we were 
encamped. Many of Sekelenke’s people came to salute the first 
white man they ever had an opportunity of seeing; but Seke¬ 
lenke himself did not come near. We heard he was offended 
with some of liis people for letting me know he was among the 
company. He said that I should be displeased with him for not 
coming and making some present. This was the only instance 
in which I was shunned in this quarter. 
As it would have been impolitic to pass Manenko, or any 
chief, without at least showing so much respect as to call and 
explain the objects of our passing through the country, we 
waited two entffe days for the return of the messengers to 
