516 
KINDNESS OF MAKOLOLO. 
Chap. XXVI. 
that tremendously loud kind only to be heard in tropical countries, 
and Avliich, friends from India have assured me, is louder in Africa 
than any they have ever heard elsewhere. Then came a pelting 
rain, wliich completed our confusion. After the intense heat of 
the day, we soon felt miserably cold, and tmaied aside to a fire 
we saw in the distance. This had been made by some people on 
their march; for this path is seldom without numbers of strangers 
passing to and from the capital. My clothing having gone on, I 
lay down on the cold ground, expecting to spend a miserable 
night, but Sekeletu kindly covered me with his own blanket and 
lay uncovered himself. I was much affected by tliis little act of 
genuine kindness. If such men must perish by the advance of 
civilization, as certain races of animals do before others, it is a 
pity. God grant that ere tliis time comes, they may receive that 
gospel, wliich is a solace for the soul in death ! 
While at Sesheke, Sekeletu supplied me with twelve oxen— 
three of which were accustomed to being ridden upon—hoes, and 
beads to pm^chase a canoe, when we should strike the Leeambye 
beyond the falls. He likewise presented abundance of good fresh 
butter and honey, and did everything in liis power to make me 
comfortable for the journey. I was entirely dependent on liis 
generosity, for the goods I originally brought from the Cape, were 
aU expended by the time I set off from Linyanti to the west 
coast. I there drew 70?. of my salary, paid my men with it, and 
purchased goods for the return journey to Linyanti. These being 
now all expended, the Makololo again fitted me out, and sent me 
on to the east coast. I was thus dependent on their bounty, 
and that of other Africans, for the means of going from Linyanti 
to Loanda, and again from Linyanti to the east coast; and I feel 
deeply grateful to them. Coin would have been of no benefit, 
for gold and silver are quite unknown. We were here joined by 
Moriantsane, uncle of Sekeletu, and head-man of Sesheke, and, 
entering canoes on the 13th, some sailed down the river to the 
confluence of the Chobe, while others drove the cattle along the 
banks, spending one night at Mparia, the island at the confluence of 
the Chobe, wliich is composed of trap, having crystals of quartz in 
it, coated with a pellicle of green copper ore. Attempting to 
proceed down the river next day, we were detained some hours by 
a strong east wind, raising waves so large as to threaten to swamp 
