CHAPTER XXIX.

Moselekatse's ambassadors-Their astonishment-Danger attending their return-The author accompanies them-Their reception by Mahura-A lion attacks the oxen-Arrive at the Bahurutsi-Country and game-The inhabited tree-Singular expedient-The lions and the oven-An urgent appeal-Indications of former prosperity-Traces of great industry-The ravages of war-An interesting recital-Heavy rains-Meet a hunting party -Savage pomp-Moselekatse afraid-Warriors described-A grand ball.

In the latter end of the year 1829, two traders journeyed into the interior for the purpose of shooting elephants, and to barter. Hearing at the Bahurutsi that a tribe possessing much cattle lived at some distance eastward, they proceeded thither, and were received in a friendly manner by Moselekatse,* the king of that division of Zoolus called Abaka Zoolus,

more generally Matabele. He, however, only allowed them to approach one of his cattle outposts on horseback. Prior to this visit this tribe had had some intercourse with the Bahurutsi, by whom they obtained partial information respecting white people, and particularly those on the Kuruman station, with whom they were best acquainted. During the time

* He calls himself Moselekatse, sounding the e as in emit, but is also called Umselekas, or Umsiligas, by the Kafir and Zoolu tribes.

AMBASSADORS FROM MOSELEKATSE.

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of his residence on the Lekua, and other sources of the Orange River, his people had been attacked by the Bergenaars, but as these were only Griquas and Corannas, he was in comparative ignorance of the characters and dispositions of the whites. When these traders returned, Moselekatse sent with them two of his lintuna, or chief men, for the purpose of obtaining a more particular knowledge of his white neighbours; charging them particularly to make themselves acquainted with the manners and instructions of the Kuruman teachers. On their arrival they were astonished beyond measure with every thing they saw, and as they, according to the custom of their nation, were in a state of nudity, their appearance very much shocked the comparatively delicate feelings of the Bechuanas, barbarians as they were. The visitors, however, most cheerfully acquiesced in our suggestions, for the sake of decency and propriety. They were shown every mark of attention, which was received with a politeness to which we had been entirely unaccustomed among the Bechuanas, which convinced us that true politeness was not confined to birth or civilization, and pointed out to us that our visitors were the nobles of the nation to which they belonged. Every thing calculated to interest was exhibited to them. Our houses, the walls of our folds and gardens, the water-ditch conveying a large stream out of the bed of the river, and the smith's forge, filled them with admiration and astonishment, which they expressed not in the wild gestures generally made by the mere plebeian, but by the utmost gravity and profound veneration, as well as the most respectful demeanour. "You are men,

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SURPRISE AT PUBLIC WORSHIP.

we are but children," said one; while the other observed, "Moselekatse must be taught all these things. When standing in the hall of our house, looking at the strange furniture of a civilized abode, the eye of one caught a small looking-glass, on which he gazed with admiration. Mrs. M. handed him one which was considerably larger. He looked intensely at his reflected countenance, and never having seen it before, supposed it was that of one of his attendants on the other side; he very abruptly put his hand behind it, telling him to be gone, but looking again at the same face, he cautiously turned it, and seeing nothing, he returned the glass, with great gravity, to Mrs. M., saying that he could not trust it.

Nothing appeared to strike them so forcibly as the public worship in our chapel. They saw men like themselves meet together with great decorum; mothers hushing their babes, or hastily retiring if they made any noise, and the elder children sitting perfectly silent. When the missionary ascended the pulpit, they listened to the hymn sung, and though, from their ignorance of the Bechuana language, they could not understand all that was said, they were convinced that something very serious was the subject of the address. The order and fervour which pervaded all parts of the service bewildered their minds, which, from their infancy, had been accustomed to observe every public meeting introduced and characterized by the hoarse war-song and displays of chivalry. They were inquisitive about every thing, and were surprised to find that the hymns we sung were not war-songs, expressive of the wild reveries which the associations of music brought to their minds. We embraced

DANGER OF THE AMBASSADORS' RETURN. 513

every opportunity of telling them the simple truths of the Gospel, and laboured to impress on their minds the blessings of peace.

These men had intended to visit the white man's country, the Colony, but this was found inconvenient, and involved considerable difficulty as to how they were to be returned in safety. Accordingly, a Hottentot, who had accompanied the traders as a wagondriver, was appointed by them to reconduct our visitors from our station to their own land. To this arrangement the latter made some objections, and it was well, for the character of the man was such as to make him a fit tool for so cruel a monarch as Moselekatse was reported to be. While this subject was under consideration, 'Umbate and his companion entered my house, with dejected looks, and requested a private interview; he informed me that reports had reached his ear, that the Bechuana tribes, through which they had to pass on the road homeward, were meditating their destruction. Of this we had had our suspicions, and only wished these noble visitors had not been brought to a missionary station, for we could not pretend to defend them by a superior force. Mr. Hamilton, Mrs. M., and I, met again and again to deliberate on the subject, but we were at our wits' end. We took into consideration the warlike character, and almost overwhelming power of the Matabele, who had already destroyed many powerful tribes, and saturated the Bakone hills and plains with blood, following up the destruction commenced by the Mantatees. We could not help almost trembling at the possible consequences of the ambassadors of such a power being butchered on the road. Having ma

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THE AUTHOR ACCOMPANIES THEM.

turely considered the subject, and implored Divine direction, it was resolved that I should take charge of them as far as the Bahurutsi country, from which they could proceed without danger to their own land and people. The strangers most gratefully accepted of this proposal, their eyes glistening with delight. A wagon was hired, in addition to my own, for their conveyance. Though these men were, strictly speaking savages, we were convinced that they were persons of influence and authority under their own sovereign, by the simple dignity of their deportment, and their own entire silence on the subject. The delightful results of the Gospel of love and good-will to all men, were strikingly exhibited on our departure. The believers, and many others on the station, brought little presents to offer to the strangers, as well as some for their master, Moselekatse, whose name, in their natural state, they would have pronounced only with anathemas. Having obtained a sufficient number of volunteers to accompany me, for there were some who thought the journey would be a disastrous one, we left the Kuruman on-the 9th of November.

The two ambassadors were received at Old Lithako with great kindness by the people of Mahura, who at that period strongly recommended the pacific precepts of the Gospel introduced by the missionaries, although he himself has not yet shown that he has received that Gospel into his heart, which has scattered so many blessings in his path. Mahura's speech had a good effect on their minds, in so far as it convinced them, that he who professed so high a regard for their guardian would do them no harm.