526 
“LIFTING,” NOT “STEALING.” 
Chap. XXYI. 
We here got information of a foray, which had been made by a 
Makololo man in the chrection we were going. This instance of 
marauding was so much in accordance with the system wliich has 
been pursued in this country, that I did not wonder at it. But 
the man had used Sekeletu’s name as having sent him, and, the 
proof being convincing, he would undoubtedly be fined. As that 
would be the first instance of a fine being levied for marauding, 
I looked upon it as the beginnmg of a better state of tilings. 
In tribes which have been accustomed to cattle-stealing, the act is 
not considered immoral, in the way that theft is. Before I knew 
the language well, I said to a chief, “ You stole the cattle of so 
and so.” No, I did not steal them,” was the reply, I only 
lifted them.” The word gafa ” is identical with the Highland 
term for the same deed. 
Another point came to our notice here. Some Mambari had 
come down thus far, and induced the Batoka to sell a very large 
tusk which belonged to Sekeletu, for a few bits of cloth. They 
had gone among the Batoka who need hoes, and, havmg purchased 
some of these from the people near Sesheke, induced the others 
living farther east, to sell both ivory and children. They would 
not part with children for clothing or beads, but agriculture with 
wooden hoes is so laborious, that the sight of the hoes prevailed. 
The Makololo proposed to knock the Mambari on the head as 
the remedy, the next time they came ; but on my proposing that 
they should send hoes themselves, and thereby secure the ivory 
in a quiet way, all approved highly of the idea, and Pitsane and 
Mohorisi expatiated on the value of the ivory, their own willing¬ 
ness to go and sell it at Loanda, and the disgust with which the 
Mambari whom we met in Angola, had looked upon theh attempt 
to reach the proper market. If notliing untoward happens, I 
think there is a fah prospect of the trade in slaves being aboHshed 
in a natural way in this quarter; Pitsane and Mohorisi having 
again expressed theh willingness to go away back to Loanda if 
Sekeletu would give them orders. This was the more remarkable, 
as both have plenty of food and leisure at home. 
%)th November .—Sekeletu and his large party having conveyed 
me thus far, and furnished me with a company of 114 men to 
carry the tusks to the coast, we bade adieu to the Makololo, and 
proceeded northwards to the Lekone. The country around is 
