when
an ox was slaughtered, or when the tribute of other food, which he
receives in lieu of Sekeletu, came in his way, and sent frequent
presents to her. This moved the envy of one of the Makololo who hated
Mpololo, and, wishing to vex him, he entered the daughter's hut by
night, and strangled both her and her child. He then tried to make fire
in the hut and burn it, so that the murder might not be known; but
the squeaking noise of rubbing the sticks awakened a servant, and the
murderer was detected. Both he and his wife were thrown into the river;
the latter having "known of her husband's intentions, and not revealing
them." She declared she had dissuaded him from the crime, and, had any
one interposed a word, she might have been spared.
Mpololo exerted himself in every way to supply us with other canoes, and
we left Shinte's with him. The Mambowe were well received, and departed
with friendly messages to their chief Masiko. My men were exceedingly
delighted with the cordial reception we met with every where; but a
source of annoyance was found where it was not expected. Many of their
wives had married other men during our two years' absence. Mashauana's
wife, who had borne him two children, was among the number. He wished
to appear not to feel it much, saying, "Why, wives are as plentiful as
grass, and I can get another: she may go;" but he would add, "If I had
that fellow, I would open his ears for him." As most of them had more
wives than one, I tried to console them by saying that they had still
more than I had, and that they had enough yet; but they felt the
reflection to be galling, that while they were toiling, another had been
devouring their corn. Some of their wives came with very young infants
in their arms. This excited no discontent; and for some I had to speak
to the chief to order the men, who had married the only wives some of my
companions ever had, to restore them.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 5TH. A large audience listened most attentively to my
morning address. Surely some will remember the ideas conveyed, and pray
to our merciful Father, who would never have thought of Him but for this
visit. The invariably kind and respectful treatment I have received from
these, and many other heathen tribes in this central country, together
with the attentive observations of many years, have led me to the
belief that, if one exerts himself for their good, he will never be ill
treated. There may be opposition to his doctrin
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