Chap. XVIII. 
PEOSPECTS OF A FIGHT. 
341 
for we were all free men. “ Then yon can give the gun with 
which the ox was shot.” As we heard some of his people re¬ 
marking even now that we had only five guns,” we declined, 
on the ground that, as they were intent on plundering us, giving 
a gun would be helping them to do so. 
This they denied, saying they wanted the customary tribute 
only. I asked what right they had to demand payment for leave 
to tread on the ground of God, our common Father? If we trod 
on their gardens we would pay, but not for marching on land 
which was still God’s and not theirs. They did not attempt to 
controvert this, because it is in accordance with their own ideas, 
but reverted again to the pretended crime of the saliva. 
My men now entreated me to give something; and after asking 
the chief if he really thought the affair of the spitting a matter 
of guilt, and receiving an answer in the affirmative, I gave him 
one of my shirts. The young Chiboque were dissatisfied, and 
began shouting and brandishing their swords for a greater fine. 
As Pitsane felt that he had been the cause of this disagreeable 
affair, he asked me to add something else. I gave a bunch of 
beads, but the counsellors objected this time, so I added a large 
handkerchief. The more I yielded, the more unreasonable their 
demands became, and at every fresh demand, a shout was raised 
by the armed party, and a rush made around us with brandishing 
of arms. One young man made a charge at my head from be¬ 
hind, but I quicldy brought round the muzzle of my gun to his 
mouth, and he retreated. I pointed him out to the chief, and he 
ordered him to retire a little. I felt anxious to avoid the effusion 
of blood; and though sure of being able with my Makololo, who 
had been drilled by Sebituane, to drive off twice the number of 
our assailants, though now a large body, and well armed with 
spears, swords, arrows, and guns, I strove to avoid actual col¬ 
lision. My men were quite unprepared for this exhibition, but 
behaved with admirable coolness. The chief and counsellors, by 
accepting my invitation to be seated, had placed themselves in 
a trap; for my men very quietly surrounded them, and made 
them feel that there was no chance of escaping their spears. I 
then said, that, as one thing after another had failed to satisfy 
them, it was evident that they wanted to fight, while we only 
wanted to pass peaceably through the country; that they must 
