346

PROCEED TO GRIQUA TOWN.

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 Bechunas 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 I 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

A PARLIAMENT HELD.

347

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 1000, 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 mockfights, 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.

A few short extracts from some of the speeches will serve to show the manner in which these meetings are conducted. Although the whole exhibits a very grotesque scene, business is carried on with the most perfect order. There is but little cheering, and still less hissing, while every speaker fearlessly states his own sentiments. The audience is seated on the ground, (as represented in the accompanying sketch,) each man having before him his shield, to which is attached a number of spears. A quiver containing poisoned arrows, is hung from the shoulder, and a battle-axe is held in his right hand. Many were adorned with tiger skins, and tails, and had plumes

348

DRESS OF THE SPEAKERS.

of feathers waving on their heads.* In the centre a sufficient space was left for the privileged, those who had killed an enemy in battle, to dance and sing, in which they exhibited the most violent and fantastic gestures conceivable, which drew forth from the spectators the most clamorous applause. When they

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 say the least, was disgusting. Any thing like an infringement on the ancient garb of the nation was looked on as a caricature of ours; and therefore it appeared in their eyes what a man in this country would be with a lady's bonnet or cap on his head-a Merry Andrew. Various articles of clothing were sent from England for the queen and noblesse of Lithako; but none of these made their appearance. When visitors came, which in those days was a rare thing, they would offer the present of a garment, which shared the same fate. Mahuto, the queen, promised that if Mrs. M. would make her a dress, she would wear it. She gladly set her needle to work. The dress was presented, but that too disappeared. When the missionary's wife prevailed on a couple of girls to come into the house, to nurse, and do other little household services, it required some persuasion to induce them to put on something like a frock, to keep them from making everything the greasy red colour of their own bodies. When they returned in the evening to their homes, they would throw off the temporary garb, however bright its colours, as something filthy and disgusting. An idea may be formed of the fantastic appearance of the natives in the absurd use of some articles of European dress, from the fact that we observed the king, while sitting among the warriors at the meeting, wearing a white garment, but could form no idea what it was, until he bounded into the arena, and, lo! it was a chemise!

afterwards, no one knew.

Whence it came, or what became of it