THE STORY OF VAN ZYL 
343 
I was still here would do all that was possible for them. With 
regard to that disease, the fever that plagued them so con¬ 
tinually, they would never get rid of it unless they left the lake 
and moved higher up the river beyond the swamps; in fact, into 
Indala’s country. 
Would I, at least, vaccinate the tribe, as I had done for 
Khama, to protect them from the small-pox ? This I would 
do in a minor degree, as it would take me too long a time to 
complete the operation for the whole tribe, for we intended to 
leave shortly, and he must attend to the further vaccinating 
after we had left; and with this promise they departed. 
Hammar and Stremboom did not let me off so easily from 
the ludicrous side of the king’s proposal, for it was long before 
they ceased discussing the picture between themselves, disre¬ 
garding my entity the while, of how well I should look with 
a harem of all the king’s discarded wives, and how the best 
opportunity would be offered for my offspring to become hunters 
in the male line, and what influence I should gain in the country 
by sending my daughters as presents to the prominent chiefs, 
Indala included, who would increase my power till I became 
King of the Sand-belts and Mabula-trees of the whole country. 
Of course, they expected to share in my greatness in the milder 
degree becoming to their insignificance. These compliments I 
received with the modesty becoming to unusual greatness. 
This remark bearing on King of the Sand-belts led to the 
relation of Yan Zyl the elder’s history in the lake district. For 
many years, long previous to Moremi’s accession to the throne of 
his kingdom, Yan Zyl had lived amongst the Baros. He built 
himself a house near the Queebe hills, and lived in great state, 
somewhat feared by the tribe for his ferocity and great personal 
courage in the field and while hunting. He became so powerful 
that he levied taxes from the natives living in his district, and 
as the country was ruled by a regent at the time, who feared 
to take decisive measures against him for this and other aggres¬ 
sive acts, Yan Zyl became almost a terror in the land. 
Shortly before Moremi’s majority, Yan Zyl went up the 
