REPORTS OF THE MANTATEES.-THE HUNTED KHAMA. perfectly convinced of the egregious folly of believing that the little liséto, "carved ones," would one day seize them by the throat in the sanctuary, they nevertheless continued to suspect that the motives of the missionary were anything but disinterested. CHAPTER XXI. Reports of the Mantatees-The author's wish to visit the in- 69 third day, I found the reports about the Mantatees somewhat revived, and the natives strongly advised me to proceed no farther than Nokaneng, about twenty miles distant. The reports being such as we had heard before, and knowing that they wished by every means to intimidate me, I proceded on the following day, after having preached to a great number of the natives. On arriving at Nokaneng, I found that rumours had reached that place that the Barolongs, at Kunuana, about one hundred miles off, had been also attacked, and the towns were in the hands of the marauders; but as spies had been sent out to ascertain the truth, I remained, employing every opportunity afforded to impart instruction. The spies returning without having heard anything of the reported invaders, I proceeded with my small company, towards the Bauangketsi tribes. After travelling four days over a dry and trackless part of the country, occasionally meeting with a few of the poor Bechuanas, we came to a fine valley, Mosite, in which, were some pools, and plenty of game, especially the rhinoceros. Having shot one of these ponderous animals, we halted a day to prepare the meat, by cutting it up into slices, and hanging it in the sun to dry, One would have been more than sufficient for our company; and it was only at the urgent request of the poor people that a couple more were shot, as they very rarely succeed in killing such animals, except it be in a pitfall. speech-The king's concluding address. For more than a year numerous and strange reports had, at intervals, reached us, some, indeed, of such a character as induced us to treat them as the reveries of a madman. It was said that a mighty woman, of the name of Mantatee, was at the head of an invincible army, numerous as the locusts, marching onward among the interior nations, carrying devastation and ruin wherever she went; that she nourished the army with her own milk, sent out hornets before it, and, in one word, was laying the world desolate. Concluding that these might be only rumours of a destructive war carrying on by Chaka, the tyrant of the Zoolus, and that he was at too great a distance from us to affect our operations, I resolved on a journey which I had been contemplating for some months. This was to visit Ma- During our stay at this place a circumstance ockaba, the chief of the Bauangketsi, a powerful curred which may throw some light on the habits tribe, situated upwards of two hundred miles north- of these people, and confirms the old adage, “that east of Lithako. I had various reasons for taking the one-half of the world does not know how the this step. The Batlapis and the neighbouring other half lives.' It was at noonday when a fine tribes were living in constant dread of an attack large hartebeest (khama of the Bechuanas,) the from so powerful an enemy, of whom they could swiftest of the antelope species,* darted close past never speak without stigmatizing him with the the wagon, and descended towards the extensive most opprobrious epithets. It was desirable to open valley. Startled by so unusual an occurrence, one up a friendly intercourse to prevent hostilities, and of the natives called out, "It is the wild dogs;" it seemed advisable for me to attend more exclu- and presently the whole pack made their appearsively to the acquirement of the language, by asso-ance, following their leader, which was pursuing ciating for a while with the natives, when, at the same time, an opportunity was thus afforded for becoming better acquainted with the localities of the tribes; and, in addition to these objects, was the ultimate design of introducing the gospel among that interesting people. About this time, receiving an invitation from Makaba, the path of duty was plain; but Mothibi, and indeed all the people, were greatly opposed to my design. Everything injurious to the character of the Bauanketsi was raked up and placed before me. All the imaginary and real murders Makaba had ever committed were set in array, and every one swore by their king and their fathers, that if I went my doom was fixed, for I should never return, and therefore Ma-Mary and the two children might leave and return to our friends in England, for she would never see me again. We, with Mr. Hamilton, had deliberated together, and prayed over the subject, and were not dismayed by their representations. When the day arrived for my departure, Mothibi, finding he could not prevail by arguments, positively forbade those under his control to accompany me. Feeling no inclination to give up my intention, I started with such men as I had. On reaching Old Lithako, on the the antelope. We seized our guns to attack them as beasts of prey. The poor people who were sitting around their flesh-pots started up, and followed, begging of us most earnestly not to kill the wild dogs, for they were their providers. We, of course, laid down our guns again, and directed our attention to the khama, which was soon overtaken and seized by the hind leg. It turned round to defend itself, and then started off till again seized by the wild dog. As we had, in a measure, retarded the speed of the pack, about thirty in number, the single dog which was engaged baiting the khama looked round and gave a piteous howl for his companions to come to his assistance. When they overtook the poor animal they fell upon it with one accord, and instantly brought it to the ground. One of my men ran off in order to secure a piece of the skin, of which he wanted to make shoes, but by the time he reached the spot, nothing "The hartebeest is one of the finest animals of the ante lope family; it is fleet, and graceful in its gait. The male is about seven feet long and five feet high, with handsome recurvated horns growing from approximated bases. The female is of a smaller size. The flesh is good, and bears a consider able resemblance to beef."-Pringle. There are immense herds of these animals in the interior, and generally of a larger size than the above. 90 WILD DOGS' CHASE.-A PARLIAMENT HELD. remained but bones, and those well picked. These the poor people afterwards collected for the sake of the marrow. On further inquiry I find that these people are in the habit, when they see an antelope, or even an ostrich, pursued by the wild dogs, of endeavouring to frighten them away, that they may come in for a share of the prey. One of the men, with much feeling for himself and companions, said, patting his hand on his stomach, "Oh, I am glad you did not shoot the dogs, for they often find us a meal." At another place the poor people were very glad, on the same account, that we had not killed the lion which had been troublesome to us during the night. These children of the desert very promptly described the manner of the wild-dog chase, which I have since had opportunities of witnessing. When the dogs approach a troop of antelopes, they select one, no matter how it may mingle with others on the dusty plain; the dog that starts never loses scent, or if he does, it is soon discovered by the pack which follow after, as they spread themselves the more readily to regain it. While the single dog who takes the lead has occasion to make angles in pursuit of his prey, the others, who hear his cry or short howl, avoid a circuitous course, and by this means easily come up again, when a fresh dog resumes the chase, and the other turns into the pack. In this way they relieve each other till they have caught the animal, which they rarely fail to accomplish, though sometimes after a very long run. Should they, in their course, happen to pass other game much nearer than the one in pursuit, they take no notice of it. These dogs, of which there are two species, never attack man, but are very destructive to sheep and goats, and even to cows, when they come in their way. gress of the Mantatees: That they were really a numerous and powerful body, had destroyed many towns of the Bakone tribes, slaughtered immense numbers of people, laid Kurrechane in ruins, scattered the Barolongs, and, in addition, were said to be cannibals! The alarming tidings produced at first a gloom on every countenance, and when I had finished speaking, a profound silence reigned for some minutes. Mothibi then replied in the name of the assembly, that he was exceedingly thankful that I had been tlogo e thata, hard-headed, and pursued my journey, for, by so doing, I had discovered to them their danger. All were now ready to bless me for having taken my own way. They solicited counsel, but all I could give was to flee to the colony, or call in the assistance of the Griquas; that as the Bechuanas were entirely unable to resist so numerous and savage a force as the Mantatees, I would proceed instantly to Griqua Town, give information, convey their wishes, and obtain assistance and wagons to remove our goods from the station. Some proposed fleeing to the Kalagare desert; but from this strongly dissuaded them, fearing that many would perish from want. As no time was to be lost, in the absence of horses, I proceeded with my wagon to Griqua Town, where I had the pleasure of meeting at Mr. Melvill's house, George Thompson, Esq., of Cape Town, who was on a tour, and about to visit Lithako. As soon as the purpose of my embassy was communicated, Waterboer, the chief, started off for Campbell, on horseback, to confer with the people there, it being the opinion of the Griquas that if the enemy were to be resisted at all, it should be done at a distance. They promised to lose no time in coming to the Kuruman with a party, when further deliberations might be made. Next morning I returned, accompanied by Mr. Thompson, and many anxious minds were anticipating the result of my journey, the public mind being completely unhinged, although no fresh tidings had arrived respecting the objects of their terror. The resolution of the Griquas to meet the enemy at a distance, gave entire satisfaction. Orders were sent off to the different towns and villages, and to the Batlaros, that a pitsho, or parliament, be convened on the following day. As subjects of great national interest were to be discussed, all were in motion early in the morning of June 13, 1823. About 10 A. M., the whole body of armed men, amounting to about one thousand, came to the outskirts of the town, and returned again to the public fold or place of assembly, some singing war-songs, others engaged in mock-fights, with all the fantastic gestures which their wild imaginations could invent. The whole body took their seats, lining the fold, leaving an arena in the centre for the speakers. While these things were going on we were on the alert, and made inquiries of every stranger we met about the invaders, but could learn nothing, although we were not more than fifteen miles from the town, of which it was reported the enemy were in possession. We saw, on a distant height, some men who were evidently looking our way, and their not approaching our wagons was so unusual with hungry natives, that we thought they must be strangers from a great distance, or some of the Mantatees. Two days passed over, and on the next, when we were about to start for the Bauangketsi, two Barolongs, passing by, informed us of the fact, the Mantanees were in possession of the town, which lay rather in our rear, behind some heights, which we distinctly saw. As one of these men had narrowly escaped with his life in the conflict with that people. no doubt was left in our minds as to the propriety of returning immediately to the place whence we had come, particularly as there was a probability that our course might be intercepted, some prisoners who had escaped having reported that the enemy were about to start for Lithako. We lost no time in returning to Nokaneng, and A few short extracts from some of the speeches were met there by individuals who authenticated will serve to show the manner in which these my report to some thousands, who were pleasing meetings are conducted. Although the whole exthemselves with the idea that there was no such hibits a very grotesque scene, business is carried on enemy. When I arrived at our station the fearful with the most perfect order. There is but little news spread rapidly. A public meeting was con- cheering, and still less hissing, while every speaker vened, and the principal men met, to whom I gave fearlessly states his own sentiments. The audience a circumstantial account of all the information I is seated on the ground, (as represented in the achad gathered respecting the character and pro-companying sketch,) each man having before him ing silence." Be silent, ye Batlapis. Be silent, ye Barolongs," addressing each tribe distinctly, not excepting the white people, if any happen to be This sketch was taken while Mothibi was cutting his capers before commencing his speech. It was natural to expect that, however much the natives might contemn our doctrines, as being in direct opposition to their customs, and to the lusts of the flesh, they would nevertheless be led, for their own comfort and convenience, to adopt our plain and simple mode of dress. Though, strictly speaking, they were neither naked nor obscene in their attire and manners, their dress, to present, and to which each responds with a groan. He then takes from his shield a spear, and points it in the direction in which the enemy is advancing, imprecating a curse upon them, and thus declaring war, by repeatedly thrusting his spear in that direction, as if plunging it into the enemy. This receives a loud whistling sound of applause. He next directs his spear towards the Bushmencountry, south and south-west, imprecating also a curse on those "ox-eaters," as they are called. say the least, was disgusting. Any thing, like an infringe- The king, on this, as on all similar occasions, inment on the ancient garb of the nation was looked on as a caricature of ours; and therefore it appeared in their eyes troduced the business of the day by "Ye sons of what a man in this country would be with a lady's bonnet or Molehabangue,"-viewing all the influential men cap on his head-a Merry Andrew. Various articles of clothing were sent from England for the queen and noblesse of Li- present as the friends or allies of his kingdom, thako; but none of these made their appearance. When which rose to more than its former eminence under visitors came, which in those days was a rare thing, they would the reign of that monarch, his father," the Manoffer the present of a garment, which shared the same fate. tatees are a strong and victorious people, they have Mahuto, the queen, promised that if Mrs. M. would make her a dress, she would wear it. She gladly set her needle to work. overwhelmed many nations, and they are approachThe dress was presented, but that too disappeared. When the ing to destroy us. We have been apprised of their missionary's wife prevailed on a couple of girls to come into manners, their deeds, their weapons, and their the house, to nurse, and do other little household services, it intentions. We cannot stand against the Mantatees; required some persuasion to induce them to put on something like a frock, to keep them from making everything the greasy we must now concert, conclude, and be determined red colour of their own bodies. When they returned in the to stand; the case is a great one. You have seen evening to their homes, they would throw off the temporary the interest the missionary has taken in your safety; garb, however bright its colours, as something filthy and dis- if we exert ourselves as he has done, the Mangusting. An idea may be formed of the fantastic appearance of the natives in the absurd use of some articles of European tatees can come no farther. You see the white dress, from the fact that we observed the king, while sitting people are our friends. You see Mr. Thompson, a among the warriors at the meeting, wearing a white garment, ehief man of the Cape, has come to see us on but could form no idea what it was, until he bounded into the horseback; he has not come to lurk behind our houses as a spy, but come openly and with con arena, and, lo! it was a chemise! Whence it came, or what became of it afterwards, no one knew. 92 MOSHUME'S SPEECH.-THE KING'S CONCLUDING ADDRESS. fidence; his intentions are good; he is one on whom the light of day may shine; he is our friend. I now wait to hear what the general opinion is. Let every one speak his mind, and then I shall speak again." Mothibi manœuvred his spear as at the commencement, and then pointing it towards heaven, the audience shouted, “Pùla,” (rain,) on which he sat down amidst a din of applause. Between each speaker a part or verse of a warsong is sung; the same antics are then performed, and again universal silence is commanded. The second speaker, Moshume, said, "To-day we are called upon to oppose an enemy who is the enemy of all. Moffat has been near the camp of the enemy we all opposed his going; we are to-day all glad that he went; he did not listen to us, he has warned us and the Griquas. What are we now to do? If we flee they will overtake us; if we fight they will conquer, they are as strong as a lion, they kill and eat, they leave nothing. (Here an old man interrupted the speaker, begging him to roar aloud that all might hear.) I know ye, Batlapis," continued Moshume," that at home and in the face of women ye are men, but women in the face of the enemy; ye are ready to run when you should stand; think, think and prepare your hearts this day, be united in one, make your hearts hard." Incha, a Morolong, commenced his speech by recommending that the Batlapis should wait till the Mantatees arrived, and then attack them; he had scarcely said this, when he was interrupted by Isite, a young chief, who sprang up, calling out No, no; who called upon you to speak foolishness? Was there ever a king or chief of the Batlapis who said you must stand up and speak? Do you intend to instruct the sons of Molehabangue? Be silent! You say you know the men, and yet you wish us to wait till they enter our town; the Mantatees are conquerors, and, if we flee, we must lose all. Hear, and I will speak; let us attack the enemy where they are; if we retreat, there will be time for those in the rear to flee. We may fight and flee, and at last conquer; this we cannot do if we wait till they approach our town." This speech was loudly cheered, while Incha silently sat down. A chief, considerably advanced in years, afterwards addressed the assembly. Ye sons of Molehabangue, ye have now had experience enough to convince you that it is your duty to proceed against the Mantatees, who have no object but to steal and destroy. Ye sons of Molehabangue! ye sons of Molehabangue! ye have done well this day. You are now acting wisely, first to deliberate and then to proceed: the missionary has discovered our danger, like the rising sun after a dark night; a man sees the danger he was in when darkness shut his eyes. We must not act like Bechuanas, we must act like Makoöas (white people). Is this our pitsho? No, it is the pitsho of the missionary; therefore we must speak and act like Makovas." Taisho arose, and having commanded silence, was received with reiterated applause; on which an old warrior rushed furiously up to him, and holding forth his arm, called out," Behold the man who shall speak wisdom. Be silent, be instructed; a man, a wise man has stood up to speak." Taisho informed the preceding speaker that he was the man who charged his people with desertion in time of war. "Ye cowards, ye vagabouds," he exclaimed, "deny the charge if you can. Shall I count up how often you have done so? Were I to repeat the instances, you would decamp like a chastened dog, or with shame place your heads between your knees." Addressing the assembly, he said, "I do not rise to-day to make speeches, I shall wait till the day of mustering. I beseech you to reflect on what is before you, and let the subject sink deep into your hearts, that you may not turn your backs in the day of battle." Turning to the king, he said, "You are too indifferent about the concerns of your people; you are rolled up in apathy; you are now called upon to show that you are a king and a man." When several other speakers had delivered their sentiments, chiefly exhorting to unanimity and courage, Mothibi resumed his central position, and after the usual gesticulations, commanded silence. Having noticed some remarks of the preceding speakers, he added, "It is evident that the best plan is to proceed against the enemy, that they come no nearer; let not our towns be the seat of war; let not our houses be the scenes of bloodshed and destruction. No! let the blood of the enemy be spilt at a distance from our wives and children." Turning to the aged chief, he said, “I hear you, my father; I understand you, my father; your words are true, they are good for the ear; it is good that we be instructed by the Makoöas; I wish those evil who will not obey; I wish that they may be broken in pieces." Then addressing the warriors, "There are many of you who do not deserve to eat out of a bowl, but only out of a broken pot; think on what has been said, and obey without murmuring. I command you, ye chiefs of the Batlapis, Batlaros, Bamairis, Barolongs, and Bakotus, that you acquaint all your tribes of the proceedings of this day; let none be iguorant; I say again, ye warriors, prepare for the battle! let your shields be strong, your quivers full of arrows, and your battle-axes as sharp as hunger." silent, ye Kidney-eaters,"* (addressing the old men,) " ye who are of no farther use but to hang about for kidneys when an ox is slaughtered. If your oxen are taken, where will you get any more?" Turning to the women, he said, “Prevent not the warrior from going out to battle by your cunning insinuations. No, rouse the warrior to glory, and he will return with honourable scars, fresh marks of valour will cover his thighs, and we shall then renew the war-song and dance, and relate the story of our conquest." At the conclusion of this speech the air was rent with acclamations, the whole assembly occasionally joining in the dance; the women frequently taking the weapons from the hands of the men, and brandishing them in the most violent manner; and people of all ages using the most extravagant and frantic gestures for nearly two hours. "Be Kidneys are eaten only by the aged, and young people that they can have no children if they do so. will not taste them on any account, from the superstitious idea THE GRIQUAS ARRIVE.-NARROW ESCAPE. CHAPTER XXII. The Griquas arrive-The commando proceeds-Appalling sights-Narrow escape-Battle commences-Savage fighting -The enemy flee-The women and children-Description of the Mantatees-Renewed attempts to rescue the womenA night's anxiety-Fresh alarms-The women and dead horse-Goods stolen-Cruelty of the Bechuanas-Review of the subject-Concluding reflections-Missionary among the Mantatees. DURING the interval of eleven days which elapsed before assistance could arrive from Griqua Town, very great uneasiness prevailed on the station, and most of our heavy goods were packed and buried, that we might not be encumbered should flight become inevitable.* As it had been frequently reported that there were white men among the invaders, when the commando, consisting of about a hundred horsemen arrived, it was the general opinion that I ought to accompany them; as, having some knowledge of the language, my presence might have more influence in bringing about a treaty; and Mr. Melvill, government agent at Griqua Town having arrived with the intention of accompanying the commando, we started on the following day. Before leaving, we all met to pray for Divine counsel, which we felt we greatly needed. The future appeared dark and portentous, and we were convinced that nothing but an Almighty power could preserve the country from impending ruin, by arresting the progress of those whose feet were swift to shed blood. A blessing on the means of preventing its further effusion was earnestly implored, and if recourse must be had to violent measures, that the heads of those engaged might be shielded in the day of battle. Having bivouacked at the Matlaurin River, Waterboer, the Griqua chief, I, and a few others, mounted our horses after dark, rode forward for about four hours, and then halted among some trees till morning. At daybreak we again proceeded till we came within sight of the enemy, who were lying a short distance south of the town of Lithako. A second and more numerous division occupied the town itself. Our first impressions were, on seeing an immense black surface on the opposite declivity, from which many small columns of smoke were arising, that the bushes and grass had been set on fire during the night; but on closer inspection we were startled to find it the camp of one portion of the enemy, containing a mass of human beings. As we drew nearer, we saw that we were discovered, and considerable confusion prevailed. The war-axes, and brass ornaments could be distinctly seen glittering in the sun. Waterboer and I rode up to a young woman whom we saw in one of the ravines. In reply to Mr. Thompson, who, with a guide, reconnoitred the movements of the Mantatees whom he witnessed entering Old Lithako, returned to the colony to give information of the near approach of so powerful an enemy. He had taken the liveliest interest in the whole affair, as well as in the welfare of the mission, which endeared him not only to us, but to the natives, who had very characteristically described him as a "man on whom the light of day might shine." His kind and generous disposition sympathized with us in our anxieties and troubles, which at the same time afforded him opportuni: danger, which he has so well described in his "Travels," long before the public. ties of forming a correct estimate of our real situation and 93 our question, made in the Bechuana language, she said that the invaders had come from a distant country, but would give no further information. She was gathering the pods of the acacia, and eating them; which, as well as her appearance, indicated the most extreme want. Having told her who we were, and that our object was to speak to the people, and not to fight, we gave her some food, and a piece of tobacco, requesting her to go and apprize them of our wishes. We then advanced within two musket shots of the enemy, where we found, reclining under a small rock, an old man and his son; the latter without the least signs of animation, while the father could scarcely articulate that he too was dying from hunger. We could only learn from this object of pity, that the people to whom he belonged were the common enemy so much dreaded. We remained here for about half an hour, to allow the young woman ample time to inform the main body, and at the same time to convince the enemy we were not afraid of them, nor disposed to injure them. In the mean time we despatched one of our men to give information to the commando, who were about twenty miles behind. On looking around in search of water, we saw the dead bodies (reduced to skeletons) of several of the enemy, who had come to the pool to drink, and there expired; one lying partly in the element with which we had to quench our thirst. While standing, we observed that all the cattle were collected and inclosed in the centre of the multitude. No one came near us, except a few warriors, who in a threatening attitude, dared our approach, but whose spears fell short of the mark. It had been agreed that one of our number, and I, after advancing within a short distance of the enemy, should dismount, and go forward unarmed, and invite two or three of them to come and speak with us. This plan, however, was entirely defeated. We had all just approached within a hundred yards, and two of us were just about leaving our saddles, when the savages uttered a hideous yell; and I had hardly time to say, "Be upon your guard, they are preparing to attack," when several hundred armed men rushed forward in a furious manner, throwing their weapons with such velocity, that we had scarcely time to turn our terrified steeds, and gallop clear of them. Having retreated a few hundred yards, we stopped and stood perfectly astonished at their savage fury. Seeing no possible means of bringing them to a parley, we retired to a height at a short distance, but within view of the enemy. Here we remained the whole day, and, to supply our wants, shot two khoris, called by the colonists, wild peacocks, a species of bustard, which we very thankfully roasted and ate. We, at a very great risk, sent the horses to the water,-all to inspire confidence in the Mantatees, that some one might be influenced to draw near, but none approached. At sunset I left Waterboer and the scouts, and rode back, to confer with Mr. Melvill and the other Griqua chiefs, and to devise some scheme to bring the enemy to terms of peace, and prevent, if possible, the dreadful consequences of a battle. The Griquas had come headed by their respective chiefs, Adam Kok, Berend Berend, Andries Waterboer, and Cornelius Kok; but it was unanimously agreed that Water |