352 
THE NEW AFRICA 
recesses of his body. The chiefs assured me that it was a most 
effective method of making a man say what was required of him, 
and seldom failed in bringing out the real truth. 
There was a regular ‘ rush ’ on the newly arrived English 
Cavendish tobacco at Stremboom’s factory by the king, chiefs, 
and many other people, who, once having learnt the charming 
vice, insist on having nothing but the best Cavendish and 
Golden Leaf, which they smoke out of ordinary pipes like 
Europeans. Of Boer tobacco, usually the choice of white 
smokers in South Africa, the Baros would not hear, actually 
spitting on the ground at its mention. Whether this sign 
of contempt is levelled at the nationality of the tobacco or its 
quality remains an open question, but Boer tobacco they would 
not smoke at any price. I may mention that the Baros have no 
exaggerated affection for the Boers, as they live in fear of being 
called upon some day to forfeit their beautiful cattle, the native’s 
pride, in taxes, should the Boers ever extend their influence 
in that direction, now, in 1896, no longer a possible event owing 
to the general portioning out of Africa with a rush in which 
the Boers were somewhat left behind. 
A native from Mongwato who had settled at the lake, where 
the inhabitants showed him exceptional courtesy, meaning 
thereby to express their goodwill to Khama’s people in general, 
mistaking the deference and kindnesses shown him as due 
to his individual personality, got himself into serious trouble 
through his arrogance. The king had given him a little boy 
slave to herd his goats, one of which the unfortunate youngster 
allowed to stray and get lost. The Mongwato, with brutal 
ferocity, tied the helpless child to a tree, and, piling a heap 
of brushwood and sticks round him, set it alight. This happened 
close to Stremboom’s huts. The piercing shrieks of the sufferer 
attracted the attention of Stremboom and the king, who happened 
to be near at the time, and they ran together to the spot and 
released the child, but too late to save his life, for, as they laid 
him down, his scorched and roasted abdomen burst open, 
allowing the contents to fall on the ground, the child expiring 
