278 
MANENKO A SCOLD. 
Chap. XY. 
fond of beef and butter, from having been accustomed to them 
in their youth, before the Makololo deprived them of cattle. 
They have abundance of game, but I am quite of their opinion, 
that, after all, there is nought in the world equal to roast beef; 
and that in their love for it the English show both good taste 
and sound sense. The ox was intended for Masiko, but his men 
were very anxious to get my sanction for slaughtering it on the 
spot. I replied, that when it went out of my hands I had no 
more to do with it. They, however, wished the responsibility of 
slaughtering it to rest with me; if I had said they might kill it, 
not many ounces would have remained in the morning. I would 
have given permission, but had nothing else to offer in return 
for Masiko’s generosity. 
We were now vdthout any provisions except a small dole of 
manioc-roots each evening from Nyamoana, which, when eaten 
raw, produce poisonous effects. A small loaf, made from nearly 
the last morsel of maize-meal from Libonta, was my stock, and 
om’ friends from Masiko were still more destitute; yet we all 
rejoiced so much at their arrival, that we resolved to spend a 
day with them. The Barotse of our party, meeting with relatives 
and friends among the Barotse of Masiko, had many old tales to 
tell; and, after pleasant hungry converse by day, we regaled 
our friends with the magic lantern by night, and, in order to 
make the thing of use to all, we removed our camp up to the 
village ofNyamoana. This is a good means of arresting the 
attention, and conveying important facts to the minds of these 
people. 
When erecting our sheds at the village, Manenko fell upon 
our friends from Masiko in a way that left no doubt on our 
minds but that she is a most accomplished scold. Masiko had, 
on a former occasion, sent to Samoana for a cloth, a common 
way of keeping up intercourse, and, after receiving it, sent it 
back, because it had the appearance of having had ‘‘ witchcraft 
medicine ” on it; this was a grave offence, and now Manenlfo 
had a good excuse for venting her spleen, the ambassadors 
having called at her village, and slept in one of the huts without 
leave. If her family was to be suspected of dealing in evil 
charms, why were Masiko’s people not to be thought guilty of 
leaving the same in her hut? She advanced and receded in 
