Chap. XXVI. 
SEKOTE’S ISLAND. 
517 
the canoes. The river is here very large and deep, and contains 
two considerable islands, which from either bank seem to be joined 
to the opposite shore, ^diile waiting for the wind to moderate, 
my friends related the traditions of these islands, and, as usual, 
praised the wisdom of Sebituane in balking the Batoka, who for¬ 
merly enticed wandering tribes to them, and starved them, by 
compelling the chiefs to remain by his side till all his cattle and 
people were ferried over. The Barotse believe that at certain 
parts of the river a tremendous monster lies hid, and that it will 
catch a canoe and hold it fast and motionless, in spite of the 
utmost exertions of the paddlers. While near Nameta, they even 
objected to pass a spot supposed to be haunted, and proceeded along 
a branch instead of the main stream. They believe that some of 
them possess a knowledge of the proper prayer to lay the monster. 
It is strange to find fables similar to those of the more northern 
nations even in the heart of Africa. Can they be the vestiges of 
traditions of animals which no longer exist ? The fossil bones 
which lie in the calcareous tufa of this region will yet, we hope, 
reveal the ancient fauna. 
Having descended about ten miles, we came to the island 
of Nampene, at the beginning of the rapids, where we were 
obliged to leave the canoes and proceed along the banks on 
foot. The next evening we slept opposite the island of Chondo, 
and, then crossing the Lekone or Lekwine, early the following 
mornmg were at the island of Sekote, called Kalai. This Sekote 
was the last of the Batoka chiefs whom Sebituane rooted out. 
The island is smTOunded by a rocky shore and deep channels, 
through which the river rushes with great force. Sekote, feeling 
secrn^e in his island home, ventm’ed to ferry over the Matebele 
enemies of Sebituane. When they had retired, Sebituane made 
one of those rapid marches which he always adopted in every 
enterprise. He came down the Leeambye from Naliele, sailing 
by day along the banks, and during the night in the middle of the 
stream, to avoid the liippopotami When he reached Kalai, 
Sekote took advantage of the larger canoes they employ in the 
rapids, and fled durmg the night to the opposite bank. Most of 
his people were slain or taken captive, and the island has ever 
since been under the Makololo. It is large enough to contain a 
considerable town. On the northern side I found the kotla of the 
