CHIKI RECOGNISES A CHIEF 
287 
was that we had men with us who spoke the Matabele (Zulu) 
tongue, at ^hich the unfortunate Paul and Styrman, the Maka- 
laka, looked anything but comfortable. The fact of having these 
two men with us told heavily against their accepting our tale. 
They commenced to examine our boys separately, sending the 
others out of earshot to get more accurately at the facts of the 
case, which we did not understand. 
Two of the three chiefs had come to us with their minds 
fully made up to condemn us at once, excitedly saying that all 
our tales were preconcerted lies; lies, and nothing but lies. But 
the third one, a tall man, to whom all honour and credit is due, 
insisted on a rigorous examination being carried out before 
forming an opinion. Of course our boys from Swangie’s could 
only tell their tale as they knew it, giving the history of our 
arrival at Panda Matenga with Franz and the two Mongwato 
boys, who had returned to Shoshong. They also told how 
Paul and Styrman, having lived many years in their midst, 
came to join the harmless expedition. The tall chief, question¬ 
ing Child at the time, said, ‘ If you are Swangie’s people, surely 
there are some of you who must have visited the King Lebossi 
at Lee-a-Lui, and can tell about him and his doings.’ The 
question was a leader of deep meaning, which Child, by good 
fortune, was able to understand and answer to the full, as 
he himself had been at Lee-a-Lui. He answered, ‘ 0 chief 
Mashabie (mentioning, to his great surprise, the chief’s name), 
well do I and my mate, Sjambok, know you, who often came to 
Lee-a-Lui with messages and presents from the Batowaana king 
to Lebossi. Did you not once bring a horse for Lebossi ? And 
the sister of Moremi to be Lebossi’s wife ? ’ Mashabie was much 
struck by the answer, and called for Sjambok, who gave him 
the same reply. This fortunate coincidence convinced Mashabie 
that, at least, these two boys were trustworthy, and he spoke 
long and earnestly with them. Still the other chiefs were 
unconvinced, so strongly were they influenced by their fear of 
the Matabele misdeeds that had left their marks on the very 
core of the nation. Mashabie and the other chiefs at last 
