568 
THE KAFUE. 
Chap. XXYIII. 
of the soil and pasturage, and Sekwebu expatiated with great 
eloquence on the capabilities of this part for supplying the wants 
of the Makololo. There is certainly abundance of room at present 
in the country for thousands and thousands more of population. 
We passed near the Losito, a former encampment of the 
Matebele, with whom Sekwebu had lived. At the sight of the 
bones of the oxen they had devoirred, and the spot where savage 
dances had taken place, though aU deserted now, the poor feUow 
burst out into a wild Matebele song. He pointed out also a 
district about two days and a half west of Semalembue, where 
Sebituane had formerly dwelt. There is a hot fountain on the 
hiUs there, named “ Hakalombo,” which may be seen at a 
distance, emitting steam. There,” said Sekwebu, “had your 
Molekane (Sebituane) been ahve, he would have brought you to 
live with him. You would be on the bank of the river, and by 
taking canoes you would at once sail down to the Zambesi and 
visit the white people at the sea.” 
This part is a favourite one with the Makololo, and probably it 
would be a good one in which to form a centre of civilization. 
There is a large flat district of country to the north, said to be 
peopled by the Bashukulompo and other tribes, who cultivate the 
ground to a great extent, and raise vast quantities of grain, 
ground-nuts, sweet potatoes, &c. They also grow sugar-cane. If 
they were certain of a market, I believe they would not be unwill¬ 
ing to cultivate cotton too, but they have not been accustomed to 
the peaceful pursuits of commerce. AU are fond of trade, but 
they have been taught none, save that in ivory and slaves. 
The Kafne enters a narrow gorge close by the vfllage of 
Semalembue; as the hill on the north is caUed Bolengwe, I apply 
that name to the gorge (lat. 15° 48' 19" S., long. 28° 22' E.). 
Semalembue said, that he ought to see us over the river, so he 
accompanied us to a pass about a mile south of his viUage, and 
when we entered among the hiUs, we found the ford of the 
Kafue. On parting with Semalembue I put on him a shirt, and 
he went away with it apparently much dehghted. 
The ford was at least 250 yards broad, but rocky and shaUow. 
After crossing it in a canoe we went along the left bank, and 
were completely shut in by high hUls. Every available spot 
between the river and the hills is under cultivation; and the 
residence of the people here is intended to secure safety for 
