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A Popular Account
投诉 阅读记录

第13章

Onthe18thweenteredSesheke。Theoldtown,nowinruins,standsontheleftbankoftheriver。Thepeoplehavebuiltanotheronthesameside,aquarterofamilehigherup,sincetheirheadmanMoriantsianewasputtodeathforbewitchingthechiefwithleprosy。

Sekeletuwasontherightbank,nearanumberoftemporaryhuts。A

manhailedusfromthechiefsquarters,andrequestedustorestundertheoldKotla,orpublicmeeting-placetree。AyoungMakololo,withthelargethighswhichZulusandmostofthistribehave,crossedovertoreceiveordersfromthechief,whohadnotshownhimselftothepeoplesincehewasaffectedwithleprosy。OnreturningheranforMokele,theheadmanofthenewtown,who,aftergoingovertoSekeletu,camebackandconductedustoasmallbutgoodhut,andafterwardsbroughtusafinefatox,asapresentfromthechief。"Thisisatimeofhunger,"hesaid,"andwehavenomeat,butweexpectsomesoonfromtheBarotseValley。”WewereentirelyoutoffoodwhenwereachedSesheke。NeverwasbettermeatthanthatoftheoxSekeletusent,andinfinitelyabovethefleshofallkindsofgameisbeef!

Aconstantstreamofvisitorsrolledinonusthedayafterourarrival。Severalofthem,whohadsufferedafflictionduringtheDoctor"sabsence,seemedtobemuchaffectedonseeinghimagain。

Allwereinlowspirits。Aseveredroughthadcutoffthecrops,anddestroyedthepastureofLinyanti,andthepeoplewerescatteredoverthecountryinsearchofwildfruits,andthehospitalityofthosewhoseground-nuts(Arachishypogoea)hadnotfailed。Sekeletu"sleprosybroughttroopsofevilsinitstrain。Believinghimselfbewitched,hehadsuspectedanumberofhischiefmen,andhadputsome,withtheirfamilies,todeath;othershadfledtodistanttribes,andwerelivinginexile。Thechiefhadshuthimselfup,andallowednoonetocomeintohispresencebuthisuncleMamire。

Ponwane,whohadbeenas"headandeyes"tohim,hadjustdied;

evidence,hethought,ofthepotentspellsofthosewhohatedallwholovedthechief。Thecountrywassufferinggrievously,andSebituane"sgrandempirewascrumblingtopieces。AlargebodyofyoungBarotsehadrevoltedandfledtothenorth;killingamanbytheway,inordertoputablood-feudbetweenMasiko,thechieftowhomtheyweregoing,andSekeletu。TheBatokaunderSinamane,andMuemba,wereindependent,andMashotlaneattheFallswassettingSekeletu"sauthorityvirtuallyatdefiance。Sebituane"swisepolicyintreatingtheconqueredtribesonequaltermswithhisownMakololo,asallchildrenofthechief,andequallyeligibletothehighesthonours,hadbeenabandonedbyhisson,whomarriednonebutMakololowomen,andappointedtoofficenonebutMakololomen。Hehadbecomeunpopularamongtheblacktribes,conqueredbythespearbutmoreeffectuallywonbythesubsequentwiseandjustgovernmentofhisfather。

StrangerumourswereafloatrespectingtheunseenSekeletu;hisfingersweresaidtohavegrownlikeeagle"sclaws,andhisfacesofrightfullydistortedthatnoonecouldrecognizehim。SomehadbeguntohintthathemightnotreallybethesonofthegreatSebituane,thefounderofthenation,stronginbattle,andwiseintheaffairsofstate。"InthedaysoftheGreatLion"(Sebituane),saidhisonlysister,Moriantsiane"swidow,whosehusbandSekeletuhadkilled,"wehadchiefsandlittlechiefsandelderstocarryonthegovernment,andthegreatchief,Sebituane,knewthemall,andeverythingtheydid,andthewholecountrywaswiselyruled;butnowSekeletuknowsnothingofwhathisunderlingsdo,andtheycarenotforhim,andtheMakololopowerisfastpassingaway。”{3}

ThenativedoctorshadgiventhecaseofSekeletuup。Theycouldnotcurehim,andpronouncedthediseaseincurable。AnolddoctressfromtheManyetitribehadcometoseewhatshecoulddoforhim,andonherskillhenowhunghislasthopes。Sheallowednoonetoseehim,excepthismotheranduncle,makingentireseclusionfromsocietyanessentialconditionofthemuchlonged-forcure。Hesent,notwithstanding,fortheDoctor;andonthefollowingdayweallthreewerepermittedtoseehim。Hewassittinginacoveredwagon,whichwasenclosedbyahighwallofclose-setreeds;hisfacewasonlyslightlydisfiguredbythethickeningoftheskininparts,wheretheleprosyhadpassedoverit;andtheonlypeculiarityabouthishandswastheextremelengthofhisfinger-nails,which,however,wasnothingverymuchoutoftheway,asalltheMakolologentlemenwearthemuncommonlylong。Hehasthequiet,unassumingmannersofhisfather,Sebituane,speaksdistinctly,inalowpleasantvoice,andappearstobeasensibleman,exceptperhapsonthesubjectofhishavingbeenbewitched;andinthis,whenalludedto,heexhibitsasfirmabeliefasifitwerehismonomania。"Moriantsiane,myaunt"shusband,triedthebewitchingmedicinefirstonhiswife,andsheisleprous,andsoisherhead-servant;then,seeingthatitsucceeded,hegavemeastrongerdoseinthecookedfleshofagoat,andIhavehadthediseaseeversince。TheyhavelatelykilledPonwane,and,asyousee,arenowkillingme。”Ponwanehaddiedoffeverashorttimepreviously。Sekeletuaskedusformedicineandmedicalattendance,butwedidnotliketotakethecaseoutofthehandsofthefemalephysicianalreadyemployed,itbeingbadpolicytoappeartoundervalueanyoftheprofession;andshe,beinganxioustogoonwithherremedies,said"shehadnotgivenhimupyet,butwouldtryforanothermonth;ifhewasnotcuredbythattime,thenshewouldhandhimovertothewhitedoctors。”Butweintendedtoleavethecountrybeforeamonthwasup;soMamire,withothers,inducedtheoldladytosuspendhertreatmentforalittle。Sheremained,asthedoctorsstipulated,inthechief"sestablishment,andonfullpay。

Sekeletuwastoldplainlythatthediseasewasunknowninourcountry,andwasthoughtexceedinglyobstinateofcure;thatwedidnotbelieveinhisbeingbewitched,andwewerewillingtodoallwecouldtohelphim。Thiswasacasefordisinterestedbenevolence;nopaywasexpected,butconsiderableriskincurred;yetwecouldnotdeclineit,aswehadthetradinginhorses。Having,however,noneofthemedicinesusuallyemployedinskindiseaseswithus,wetriedthelocalapplicationoflunarcaustic,andhydriodateofpotashinternally;andwithsuchgratifyingresults,thatMamirewishedthepatienttobesmearedalloverwithasolutionoflunarcaustic,whichhebelievedtobeofthesamenatureastheblisteringfluidformerlyappliedtohisownkneebyMr。Oswell。ITSpowerheconsideredirresistible,andhewouldfainhavehadanythinglikeittriedonSekeletu。

Itwasatimeofgreatscarcityandhunger,butSekeletutreatedushospitably,preparingteaforusateveryvisitwepaidhim。WiththeteawehadexcellentAmericanbiscuitandpreservedfruits,whichhadbeenbroughttohimallthewayfromBenguela。Thefruitshemostrelishedwerethosepreservedintheirownjuices;plums,apples,pears,strawberries,andpeaches,whichwehaveseenonlyamongPortugueseandSpaniards。Itmadeusanxioustoplantthefruit-treeseedswehadbrought,andallwerepleasedwiththeideaofhavingthesesamefruitsintheirowncountry。

Mokele,theheadmanofSesheke,andSebituane"ssister,Manchunyane,wereorderedtoprovideuswithfood,asSekeletu"swives,towhomthisdutyproperlybelonged,wereatLinyanti。WefoundablacktraderfromtheWestCoast,andsomeGriquatradersfromtheSouth,bothinsearchofivory。IvoryisdearatSesheke;butcheaperintheBatokacountry,fromSinamane"stotheKafue,thananywhereelse。

ThetraderfromBenguelatookordersforgoodsforhisnextyear"strip,andofferedtobringtea,coffee,andsugaratcent。percent。

prices。As,inconsequenceofahintformerlygiven,theMakololohadsecuredalltheivoryintheBatogacountrytotheeast,bypurchasingitwithhoes,theBenguelatradersfounditunprofitabletogothitherforslaves。Theyassuredusthatwithoutivorythetradeinslavesdidnotpay。Inthisway,andbytheordersofSekeletu,anextensiveslave-martwasclosed。Theseorderswereneverinfringedexceptsecretly。Wediscoveredonlytwoorthreecasesoftheirinfraction。

Sekeletuwaswellpleasedwiththevariousarticleswebroughtforhim,andinquiredifashipcouldnotbringhissugar-millandtheothergoodswehadbeenobligedtoleavebehindatTette。OnhearingthattherewasapossibilityofapowerfulsteamerascendingasfarasSinamane"s,butneverabovetheGrandVictoriaFalls,heasked,withcharmingsimplicity,ifacannoncouldnotblowawaytheFalls,soastoallowthevesseltocomeuptoSesheke。

Tosavethetribefrombreakingup,bythecontinuallossofrealMakololo,itoughtatoncetoremovetothehealthyBatokahighlands,neartheKafue。Fullyawareofthis,Sekeleturemarkedthatallhispeople,savetwo,wereconvincedthat,iftheyremainedinthelowlands,afewyearswouldsufficetocutoffalltherealMakololo;

theycameoriginallyfromthehealthySouth,neartheconfluenceoftheLikwaandNamagari,wherefeverisalmostunknown,anditsravageshadbeenasfrightfulamongthemhere,asamongstEuropeansontheCoast。Sebituane"ssisterdescribeditsfirstappearanceamongthetribe,aftertheirsettlingintheBarotseValleyontheZambesi。Manyofthemwereseizedwithashiveringsickness,asiffromexcessivecold;theyhadneverseenthelikebefore。Theymadegreatfires,andlaidtheshiveringwretchesdownbeforethem;but,pileonwoodastheymight,theycouldnotraiseheatenoughtodrivethecoldoutofthebodiesofthesufferers,andtheyshiveredontilltheydied。But,thoughallpreferredthehighlands,theywereafraidtogothere,lesttheMatebeleshouldcomeandrobthemoftheirmuch-lovedcattle。Sebituane,withallhisveterans,couldnotwithstandthatenemy;andhowcouldtheyberesisted,nowthatmostofthebravewarriorsweredead?Theyoungmenwouldbreak,andrunawaythemomenttheysawtheterribleMatebele,beingasmuchafraidofthemastheblackconqueredtribesareoftheMakololo。"ButiftheDoctorandhiswife,"saidthechiefsandcounsellors,"wouldcomeandlivewithus,wewouldremovetothehighlandsatonce,asMoselekatsewouldnotattackaplacewherethedaughterofhisfriend,Moffat,wasliving。”

TheMakololoarebyfarthemostintelligentandenterprisingofthetribeswehavemet。NonebutbraveanddaringmenremainedlongwithSebituane,hissterndisciplinesooneradicatedcowardicefromhisarmy。Deathwastheinevitabledoomofthecoward。Ifthechiefsawamanrunningawayfromthefight,herushedafterhimwithamazingspeed,andcuthimdown;orwaitedtillhereturnedtothetown,andthensummonedthedeserterintohispresence。"Youdidnotwishtodieonthefield,youwishedtodieathome,didyou?youshallhaveyourwish!"andhewasinstantlyledoffandexecuted。Thepresentraceofyoungmenareinferiorinmostrespectstotheirfathers。

TheoldMakololohadmanymanlyvirtues;theyweretruthful,andneverstole,exceptinginwhattheyconsideredthehonourablewayofliftingcattleinfairfight。Butthiscanhardlybesaidoftheirsons;who,havingbeenbroughtupamongthesubjectedtribes,haveacquiredsomeofthevicespeculiartoamenialanddegradedrace。A

fewoftheoldMakololocautionedusnottoleaveanyofourpropertyexposed,astheblacksweregreatthieves;andsomeofourownmenadvisedustobeonourguard,astheMakololoalsowouldsteal。A

veryfewtriflingarticleswerestolenbyayoungMakololo;andhe,onbeingspokentoonthesubject,showedgreatingenuityinexcusinghimself,byaplausibleanduntruthfulstory。TheMakololoofoldwerehardworkers,anddidnotconsiderlabourasbeneaththem;buttheirsonsneverwork,regardingitasfitonlyfortheMashonaandMakalakaservants。Sebituane,seeingthattherivaltribeshadtheadvantageoverhis,inknowinghowtomanagecanoes,hadhiswarriorstaughttonavigate;andhisownson,withhiscompanions,paddledthechief"scanoe。Allthedishes,baskets,stools,andcanoesaremadebytheblacktribescalledManyetiandMatlotlora。Thehousesarebuiltbythewomenandservants。TheMakololowomenarevastlysuperiortoanywehaveyetseen。Theyareofalightwarmbrowncomplexion,havepleasantcountenances,andareremarkablyquickofapprehension。Theydressneatly,wearingakiltandmantle,andhavemanyornaments。Sebituane"ssister,theheadladyofSesheke,woreeighteensolidbrassrings,asthickasone"sfinger,oneachleg,andthreeofcopperundereachknee;nineteenbrassringsonherleftarm,andeightofbrassandcopperonherright,alsoalargeivoryringaboveeachelbow。Shehadaprettybeadnecklace,andabeadsashencircledherwaist。Theweightofthebrightbrassringsroundherlegsimpededherwalking,andchafedherankles;but,asitwasthefashion,shedidnotmindtheinconvenience,andguardedagainstthepainbyputtingsoftragroundthelowerrings。

JusticeappearsuponthewholetobeprettyfairlyadministeredamongtheMakololo。Aheadmantooksomebeadsandablanketfromoneofhismenwhohadbeenwithus;thematterwasbroughtbeforethechief,andheimmediatelyorderedthegoodstoberestored,anddecreed,moreover,thatnoheadmanshouldtakethepropertyofthemenwhohadreturned。Intheory,allthegoodsbroughtbackbelongedtothechief;themenlaidthemathisfeet,andmadeaformalofferofthemall;helookedatthearticles,andtoldthementokeepthem。Thisisalmostinvariablythecase。TubaMokoro,however,fearinglestSekeletumighttakeafancytosomeofhisbestgoods,exhibitedonlyafewofhisoldandleastvaluableacquisitions。

Masakasahadlittletoshow;hehadcommittedsomebreachofnativelawinoneofthevillagesontheway,andpaidaheavyfineratherthanhavethematterbroughttotheDoctor"sears。Eachcarrierisentitledtoaportionofthegoodsinhisbundle,thoughpurchasedbythechief"sivory,andtheyneverhesitatetoclaimtheirrights;butnowagescanbedemandedfromthechief,ifhefailstorespondtothefirstapplication。

Ourmen,accustomedtoourways,thoughtthattheEnglishsystemofpayingamanforhislabourwastheonlycorrectone,andsomeevensaiditwouldbebettertoliveunderagovernmentwherelifeandlabourweremoresecureandvaluablethanhere。Whilewithus,theyalwaysconductedthemselveswithproprietyduringDivineservice,andnotonlymaintaineddecorumthemselves,butinsistedonothernativeswhomightbepresentdoingthesame。WhenMoshobotwane,theBatokachief,cameononeoccasionwithanumberofhismen,theylistenedinsilencetothereadingoftheBibleintheMakololotongue;but,assoonasweallkneltdowntopray,theycommencedavigorousclappingofhands,theirmodeofaskingafavour。OurindignantMakololosoonsilencedtheirnoisyaccompaniment,andlookedwithgreatcontemptonthisdisplayofignorance。NearlyallourmenhadlearnedtorepeattheLord"sPrayerandtheApostles"Creedintheirownlanguage,andfeltratherproudofbeingabletodoso;andwhentheyreachedhome,theylikedtorecitethemtogroupsofadmiringfriends。Theirideasofrightandwrongdifferinnorespectfromourown,exceptintheirprofessedinabilitytoseehowitcanbeimproperforamantohavemorethanonewife。Ayearortwoagoseveralofthewivesofthosewhohadbeenabsentwithuspetitionedthechiefforleavetomarryagain。Theythoughtthatitwasofnousewaitinganylonger,theirhusbandsmustbedead;butSekeleturefusedpermission;hehimselfhadbetanumberofoxenthattheDoctorwouldreturnwiththeirhusbands,andhehadpromisedtheabsentmenthattheirwivesshouldbekeptforthem。Theimpatientspouseshadthereforetowaitalittlelonger。Someofthem,however,elopedwithothermen;thewifeofMantlanyane,forinstance,ranoffandlefthislittleboyamongstrangers。

Mantlanyanewasveryangrywhenheheardofit,notthathecaredmuchaboutherdesertinghim,forhehadtwootherwivesatTette,buthewasindignantatherabandoninghisboy。

CHAPTERVIII。

LifeamongsttheMakololo——Returnjourney——Nativehospitality——A

canoevoyageontheZambesi。

WhilewewereatSesheke,anoxwaskilledbyacrocodile;amanfoundthecarcassfloatingintheriver,andappropriatedthemeat。

Whentheownerheardofthis,herequestedhimtocomebeforethechief,ashemeanttocomplainofhim;ratherthango,thedelinquentsettledthematterbygivingoneofhisownoxeninlieuofthelostone。AheadmanfromnearLinyanticamewithacomplaintthatallhispeoplehadrunoff,owingtothe"hunger。”Sekeletusaid,"Youmustnotbelefttogrowleanalone,someofthemmustcomebacktoyou。”

Hehadthusanordertocompeltheirreturn,ifhechosetoputitinforce。Familiesfrequentlyleavetheirownheadmanandfleetoanothervillage,andsometimesawholevillagedecampsbynight,leavingtheheadmanbyhimself。Sekeleturarelyinterferedwiththelibertyofthesubjecttochoosehisownheadman,and,asitisoftenthefaultofthelatterwhichcausesthepeopletodepart,itispunishmentenoughforhimtobeleftalone。Flagrantdisobediencetothechief"sordersispunishedwithdeath。AMoshubiamanwasorderedtocutsomereedsforSekeletu:hewentoff,andhidhimselffortwodaysinstead。Forthishewasdoomedtodie,andwascarriedinacanoetothemiddleoftheriver,choked,andtossedintothestream。Thespectatorshootedtheexecutioners,callingouttothemthattheytoowouldsoonbecarriedoutandstrangled。Occasionallywhenamanissenttobeatanoffender,hetellshimhisobject,returns,andassuresthechiefhehasnearlykilledhim。Thetransgressorthenkeepsforawhileoutofsight,andthematterisforgotten。Theriverhereteemswithmonstrouscrocodiles,andwomenarefrequently,whiledrawingwater,carriedoffbythesereptiles。

Wemetavenerablewarrior,solesurvivor,probably,oftheMantateehostwhichthreatenedtoinvadethecolonyin1824。HeretainedavividrecollectionoftheirencounterwiththeGriquas:"Aswelookedatthemenandhorses,puffsofsmokearose,andsomeofusdroppeddowndead!""Neversawanythinglikeitinmylife,aman"sbrainslyinginoneplaceandhisbodyinanother!"Theycouldnotunderstandwhatwaskillingthem;aballstruckaman"sshieldatanangle;knockedhisarmoutofjointattheshoulder;andleavingamark,orburn,ashesaid,ontheshield,killedanothermancloseby。Wesawthemanwithhisshoulderstilldislocated。Sebetuanewaspresentatthefight,andhadanexaltedopinionofthepowerofwhitepeopleeverafterwards。

TheancientcostumeoftheMakololoconsistedoftheskinofalamb,kid,jackal,ocelot,orothersmallanimal,wornroundandbelowtheloins:andincoldweatherakaross,orskinmantle,wasthrownovertheshoulders。Thekarossisnowlaidaside,andtheyoungmenoffashionwearamonkey-jacketandaskinroundthehips;butnotrousers,waistcoat,orshirt。Theriverandlaketribesareingeneralverycleanly,bathingseveraltimesaday。TheMakololowomenusewaterrathersparingly,rubbingthemselveswithmeltedbutterinstead:thiskeepsoffparasites,butgivestheirclothesarancidodour。Onestageofcivilizationoftenleadsofnecessitytoanother——thepossessionofclothescreatesademandforsoap;giveamananeedle,andheissoonbacktoyouforthread。

Thisbeingatimeofmourning,onaccountoftheillnessofthechief,themenwerenegligentoftheirpersons,theydidnotcuttheirhair,orhavemerrydances,orcarryspearandshieldwhentheywalkedabroad。ThewifeofPitsanewasbusymakingalargehut,whilewewereinthetown:sheinformedusthatthemenlefthouse-

buildingentirelytothewomenandservants。Aroundtowerofstakesandreeds,nineortenfeethigh,israisedandplastered;afloorisnextmadeofsofttufa,orant-hillmaterialandcowdung。Thisplasterpreventsthepoisonousinsects,calledtumpans,whosebitecausesfeverinsome,andpainfulsoresinall,fromharbouringinthecracksorsoil。Theroof,whichismuchlargerindiameterthanthetower,ismadeontheground,andthen,manypersonsassisting,liftedupandplacedonthetower,andthatched。Aplasteredreedfenceisnextbuiltuptomeettheouterpartoftheroof,whichstillprojectsalittleoverthisfence,andaspaceofthreefeetremainsbetweenitandthetower。Wesleptinthisspace,insteadofinthetower,astheinnerdoorofthehutweoccupiedwasuncomfortablysmall,beingonlynineteenincheshigh,andtwenty-twoincheswideatthefloor。Afootfromthebottomitmeasuredseventeeninchesinbreadth,andclosetothetoponlytwelveinches,soitwasadifficultmattertogetthroughit。Thetowerhasnolightorventilation,exceptthroughthissmalldoor。Thereasonaladyassignedforhavingthedoorssoverysmallwastokeepoutthemice!

Thechildrenhavemerrytimes,especiallyinthecooloftheevening。

Oneoftheirgamesconsistsofalittlegirlbeingcarriedontheshouldersoftwoothers。Shesitswithoutstretchedarms,astheywalkaboutwithher,andalltherestclaptheirhands,andstoppingbeforeeachhutsingprettyairs,somebeatingtimeontheirlittlekiltsofcowskin,othersmakingacurioushummingsoundbetweenthesongs。Exceptingthisandtheskipping-rope,theplayofthegirlsconsistsinimitationoftheseriousworkoftheirmothers,buildinglittlehuts,makingsmallpots,andcooking,poundingcorninminiaturemortars,orhoeingtinygardens。Theboysplaywithspearsofreedspointedwithwood,andsmallshields,orbowsandarrows;oramusethemselvesinmakinglittlecattle-pens,orinmouldingcattleinclay;theyshowgreatingenuityintheimitationofvarious-shapedhorns。Sometooaresaidtouseslings,butassoonastheycanwatchthegoats,orcalves,theyaresenttothefield。Wesawmanyboysridingonthecalvestheyhadincharge,butthisisaninnovationsincethearrivaloftheEnglishwiththeirhorses。

Tselane,oneoftheladies,onobservingDr。Livingstonenotingobservationsonthewetanddrybulbthermometers,thoughtthathetoowasengagedinplay;foronreceivingnoreplytoherquestion,whichwasratherdifficulttoanswer,asthenativetonguehasnoscientificterms,shesaidwithroguishglee,"Poorthing,playinglikealittlechild!"

LikeotherAfricans,theMakololohavegreatfaithinthepowerofmedicine;theybelievethatthereisanespecialmedicineforeveryillthatfleshisheirto。Mamireisanxioustohavechildren;hehassixwives,andonlyoneboy,andhebegsearnestlyfor"childmedicine。”ThemotherofSekeletucamefromtheBarotseValleytoseeherson。ThinksshehaslostfleshsinceDr。Livingstonewasherebefore,andasksfor"themedicineoffatness。”TheMakololoconsiderplumpnessanessentialpartofbeautyinwomen,buttheextremestoutness,mentionedbyCaptainSpeke,inthenorth,wouldbeconsideredhideoushere,forthemenhavebeenoverheardspeakingofaladywhomwecall"inclinedtoembonpoint,"as"fatuntougliness。”

TwopackagesfromtheKuruman,containinglettersandnewspapers,reachedLinyantiprevioustoourarrival,andSekeletu,notknowingwhenwewerecoming,leftthemthere;butnowatoncesentamessengerforthem。Thismanreturnedontheseventhday,havingtravelled240geographicalmiles。Oneofthepackageswastooheavyforhim,andheleftitbehind。AstheDoctorwishedtogetsomemoremedicineandpapersoutofthewagonleftatLinyantiin1853,hedecidedupongoingthitherhimself。Thechiefgavehimhisownhorse,nowabouttwelveyearsold,andsomemen。Hefoundeverythinginhiswagonassafeaswhenheleftitsevenyearsbefore。Theheadmen,MosaleandPekonyane,receivedhimcordially,andlamentedthattheyhadsolittletoofferhim。Oh!hadheonlyarrivedtheyearprevious,whentherewasabundanceofmilkandcornandbeer。

Veryearlythenextmorningtheoldtown-crier,Ma-Pulenyane,ofhisownaccordmadeapublicproclamation,which,intheperfectstillnessofthetownlongbeforedawn,wasstriking:"Ihavedreamed!Ihavedreamed!Ihavedreamed!ThouMosaleandthouPekonyane,mylords,benotfaint-hearted,norletyourheartsbesore,butbelieveallthewordsofMonare(theDoctor)forhisheartiswhiteasmilktowardstheMakololo。Idreamedthathewascoming,andthatthetribewouldlive,ifyouprayedtoGodandgiveheedtothewordofMonare。”Ma-PulenyaneshowedDr。Livingstonetheburying-placewherepoorHelmoreandsevenotherswerelaid,distinguishingthosewhomhehadputtorest,andthoseforwhomMafalehadperformedthatlastoffice。Nothingwhatevermarkedthespot,andwiththenativeideaofHIDINGthedead,itwassaid,"itwillsoonbeallovergrownwithbushes,fornoonewillcultivatethere。”NonebutMa-Pulenyaneapproachedtheplace,theothersstoodatarespectfuldistance;theyinvariablyavoideverythingconnectedwiththedead,andnosuchthingastakingportionsofhumanbodiestomakecharmsof,asisthecustomfurthernorth,haseverbeenknownamongtheMakololo。

Sekeletu"shealthimprovedgreatlyduringourvisit,themelancholyforebodinglefthisspirits,andhebecamecheerful,butresolutelyrefusedtoleavehisden,andappearinpublictillhewasperfectlycured,andhadregainedwhatheconsideredhisgoodlooks。Healsofearedlestsomeofthosewhohadbewitchedhimoriginallymightstillbeamongthepeople,andneutralizeourremedies。{4}

AsweexpectedanothersteamertobeatKongoneinNovember,itwasimpossibleforustoremaininSeshekemorethanonemonth。Beforeourdeparture,thechiefandhisprincipalmenexpressedinaformalmannertheirgreatdesiretohaveEnglishpeoplesettledontheBatokahighlands。AtonetimeheproposedtogoasfarasPhori,inordertoselectaplaceofresidence;butasheafterwardssawreasonsforremainingwherehewas,tillhiscurewascompleted,hegaveorderstothosesentwithus,intheeventofourgetting,onourreturn,pasttherapidsnearTette,nottobringustoSesheke,buttosendforwardamessenger,andhewiththewholetribewouldcometous。Dr。Kirkbeingofthesameage,Sekeletuwasparticularlyanxiousthatheshouldcomeandlivewithhim。HesaidthathewouldcutoffasectionofthecountryforthespecialuseoftheEnglish;andonbeingtoldthatinallprobabilitytheirdescendantswouldcausedisturbanceinhiscountry,hereplied,"Thesewouldbeonlydomesticfeuds,andofnoimportance。”Thegreatextentofuncultivatedlandonthecoolandnowunpeopledhighlandshasbuttobeseentoconvincethespectatorhowmuchroomthereis,andtospare,foravastlygreaterpopulationthanever,inourday,canbecongregatedthere。

OnthelastoccasionofourholdingDivineserviceatSesheke,themenwereinvitedtoconverseonthesubjectonwhichtheyhadbeenaddressed。Somanyofthemhaddiedsincewewereherebefore,thatnotmuchprobabilityexistedofourallmeetingagain,andthishadnaturallyledtothesubjectofafuturestate。Theyrepliedthattheydidnotwishtooffendthespeaker,buttheycouldnotbelievethatallthedeadwouldriseagain:"Canthosewhohavebeenkilledinthefieldanddevouredbythevultures;orthosewhohavebeeneatenbythehyenasorlions;orthosewhohavebeentossedintotheriver,andeatenbymorethanonecrocodile,——cantheyallberaisedagaintolife?"Theyweretoldthatmencouldtakealeadenbullet,changeitintoasalt(acetateoflead),whichcouldbedissolvedascompletelyinwaterasourbodiesinthestomachsofanimals,andthenreconvertitintolead;orthatthebulletcouldbetransformedintotheredandwhitepaintofourwagons,andagainbereconvertedintotheoriginallead;andthatifmenexactlylikethemselvescoulddosomuch,howmuchmorecouldHedowhohasmadetheeyetosee,andtheeartohear!Weadded,however,thatwebelievedinaresurrection,notbecauseweunderstoodhowitwouldbebroughtabout,butbecauseourHeavenlyFatherassuredusofitinHisBook。

ThereferencetothetruthoftheBookanditsAuthorseemsalwaystohavemoreinfluenceonthenativemindthantheclevernessoftheillustration。Theknowledgeofthepeopleisscanty,buttheirreasoningisgenerallyclearasfarastheirinformationgoes。

WeleftSeshekeonthe17thSeptember,1860,convoyedbyPitsaneandLeshorewiththeirmen。PitsanewasorderedbySekeletutomakeahedgeroundthegardenattheFalls,toprotecttheseedswehadbrought;andalsotocollectsomeofthetobaccotributebelowtheFalls。Leshore,besidesactingasasortofguardofhonourtous,wassentonadiplomaticmissiontoSinamane。NotributewasexactedbySekeletufromSinamane;but,ashehadsentinhisadhesion,hewasexpectedtoactasaguardincaseoftheMatebelewishingtocrossandattacktheMakololo。AsweintendedtopurchasecanoesofSinamaneinwhichtodescendtheriver,LeshorewastocommendustowhateverhelpthisBatokachiefcouldrender。ItmustbeconfessedthatLeshore"smen,whowerealloftheblacksubjecttribes,reallyneededtobeviewedbyusinthemostcharitablelight;forLeshore,onenteringanyvillage,calledouttotheinhabitants,"Lookoutforyourproperty,andseethatmythievesdon"tstealit。”

TwoyoungMakololowiththeirBatokaservantsaccompaniedustoseeifKebrabasacouldbesurmounted,andtobringasupplyofmedicineforSekeletu"sleprosy;andhalfadozenablecanoe-men,underMobito,whohadpreviouslygonewithDr。LivingstonetoLoanda,weresenttohelpusinourrivernavigation。SomemenonfootdrovesixoxenwhichSekeletuhadgivenusasprovisionsforthejourney。Itwas,asbeforeremarked,atimeofscarcity;and,consideringthedearthoffood,ourtreatmenthadbeenliberal。

Bydaythecanoe-menareaccustomedtokeepcloseundertheriver"sbankfromfearofthehippopotami;bynight,however,theykeepinthemiddleofthestream,asthenthoseanimalsareusuallyclosetothebankontheirwaytotheirgrazinggrounds。Ourprogresswasconsiderablyimpededbythehighwinds,whichatthisseasonoftheyearbeginabouteightinthemorning,andblowstronglyuptheriverallday。Thecanoeswerepoorleakyaffairs,andsolowinpartsofthegunwale,thatthepaddlerswereafraidtofollowthechannelwhenitcrossedtheriver,lestthewavesmightswampus。Aroughseaisdreadedbyalltheseinlandcanoe-men;butthoughtimid,theyarebynomeansunskilfulattheirwork。Theoceanratherastonishedthemafterwards;andalsotheadmirablewaythattheNyassamenmanagedtheircanoesonaroughlake,andevenamongstthebreakers,wherenosmallboatcouldpossiblylive。

Onthenightofthe17thwesleptontheleftbankoftheMajeele,afterhavinghadallthemenferriedacross。Anoxwasslaughtered,andnotanounceofitwasleftnextmorning。OurtwoyoungMakololocompanions,MalokaandRamakukane,havingnevertravelledbefore,naturallyclungtosomeoftheluxuriestheyhadbeenaccustomedtoathome。Whentheylaydowntosleep,theirservantswerecalledtospreadtheirblanketsovertheiraugustpersons,notforgettingtheirfeet。ThisseemstobethedutyoftheMakololowifetoherhusband,andstrangerssometimesreceivethehonour。Oneofourparty,havingwandered,sleptatthevillageofNambowe。Whenhelaiddown,tohissurprisetwoofNambowe"swivescameatonce,andcarefullyandkindlyspreadhiskarossoverhim。

Abeautifulsilveryfishwithreddishfins,calledNgwesi,isveryabundantintheriver;largeonesweighfifteenortwentypoundseach。Itsteethareexposed,andsoarrangedthat,whentheymeet,theedgescutahooklikenippers。TheNgwesiseemstobeaveryravenousfish。ItoftengulpsdowntheKonokono,afisharmedwithserratedbonesmorethananinchinlengthinthepectoralanddorsalfins,which,fittingintoanotchattheroots,canbeputbythefishonfullcockorstraightout,——theycannotbefoldeddown,withoutitswill,andevenbreakinresisting。Thename"Konokono,"

elbow-elbow,isgivenitfromaresemblanceitsextendedfinsaresupposedtobeartoaman"selbowsstuckoutfromhisbody。ItoftenperformsthelittletrickofcockingitsfinsinthestomachoftheNgwesi,and,theelbowspiercingitsenemy"ssides,heisfrequentlyfoundfloatingdead。Thefinbonesseemtohaveanacridsecretiononthem,forthewoundtheymakeisexcessivelypainful。TheKonokonobarksdistinctlywhenlandedwiththehook。Ourcanoe-meninvariablypickedupeverydeadfishtheysawonthesurfaceofthewater,howeverfargone。Anunfragrantodourwasnoobjection;thefishwasboiledandeaten,andthewaterdrunkassoup。ItisacuriousfactthatmanyoftheAfricanskeepfishaswedowoodcocks,untiltheyareextremelyoffensive,beforetheyconsiderthemfittoeat。OurpaddlersinformedusonourwaydownthatiguanaslaytheireggsinJulyandAugust,andcrocodilesinSeptember。Theeggsremainamonthortwounderthesandwheretheyarelaid,andtheyoungcomeoutwhentherainshavefairlycommenced。Thecanoe-menwerequitepositivethatcrocodilesfrequentlystunmenbystrikingthemwiththeirtails,andthensquatonthemtilltheyaredrowned。

Weoncecaughtayoungcrocodile,whichcertainlydiduseitstailtoinflictsharpblows,andledustoconcludethatthenativeopinioniscorrect。Theybelievedalsothat,ifapersonshutsthebeast"seyes,itletsgoitshold。Crocodileshavebeenknowntouniteandkillalargeoneoftheirownspeciesandeatit。Somefishermenthrowthebonesofthefishintotheriverbutinmostofthefishingvillagesthereareheapsoftheminvariousplaces。Thevillagerscanwalkoverthemwithoutgettingthemintotheirfeet;buttheMakololo,fromhavingsoftersoles,areunabletodoso。Theexplanationofferedwas,thatthefishermenhaveamedicineagainstfish-bones,butthattheywillnotrevealittotheMakololo。

WespentanightonMpariraisland,whichisfourmileslongandaboutonemilebroad。Mokompa,theheadman,wasawayhuntingelephants。Hiswifesentforhimonourarrival,andhereturnednextmorningbeforeweleft。Takingadvantageofthelong-continueddrought,hehadsetfiretothereedsbetweentheChobeandZambesi,insuchamannerastodrivethegameoutatonecorner,wherehismenlaidinwaitwiththeirspears。Hehadkilledfiveelephantsandthreebuffaloes,woundingseveralotherswhichescaped。

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