Chapter 25

Chitlane--Murder of Mpololo's Daughter--Execution of the Murderer and his Wife--My Companions find that their Wives have married other Husbands--Sunday--A Party from Masiko-- Freedom of Speech--Canoe struck by a Hippopotamus--Gonye-- Appearance of Trees at the end of Winter--Murky Atmosphere-- Surprising Amount of organic Life--Hornets--The Packages forwarded by Mr. Moffat--Makololo Suspicions and Reply to the Matebele who brought them--Convey the Goods to an Island and build a Hut over them--Ascertain that Sir R. Murchison had recognized the true Form of African Continent--Arrival at Linyanti--A grand Picho--Shrewd Inquiry--Sekeletu in his Uniform--A Trading-party sent to Loanda with Ivory--Mr. Gabriel's Kindness to them--Difficulties in Trading--Two Makololo Forays during our Absence--Report of the Country to the N.E.--Death of influential Men--The Makololo desire to be nearer the Market--Opinions upon a Change of Residence-- Climate of Barotse Valley--Diseases--Author's Fevers not a fair Criterion in the Matter--The Interior an inviting Field for the Philanthropist--Consultations about a Path to the East Coast--Decide on descending North Bank of Zambesi--Wait for the Rainy Season--Native way of spending Time during the period of greatest Heat--Favorable Opening for Missionary Enterprise--Ben Habib wishes to marry--A Maiden's Choice-- Sekeletu's Hospitality--Sulphureted Hydrogen and Malaria-- Conversations with Makololo--Their moral Character and Conduct--Sekeletu wishes to purchase a Sugar-mill, etc.--The Donkeys--Influence among the Natives--"Food fit for a Chief"-- Parting Words of Mamire--Motibe's Excuses.