ssage of
peace we were to deliver.

When we reached Litofe, we heard that a fresh foray was in
contemplation, but I sent forward orders to disband the party
immediately. At Ma-Sekeletu's town we found the head offender, Mpololo
himself, and I gave him a bit of my mind, to the effect that, as I was
going with the full sanction of Sekeletu, if any harm happened to me
in consequence of his ill-advised expedition, the guilt would rest with
him. Ma-Sekeletu, who was present, heartily approved all I said, and
suggested that all the captives taken by Lerimo should be returned by
my hand, to show Masiko that the guilt of the foray lay not with the
superior persons of the Makololo, but with a mere servant. Her good
sense appeared in other respects besides, and, as this was exactly what
my own party had previously resolved to suggest, we were pleased to hear
Mpololo agree to do what he was advised. He asked me to lay the matter
before the under-chiefs of Naliele, and when we reached that place,
on the 9th of December, I did so in a picho, called expressly for
the purpose. Lerimo was present, and felt rather crestfallen when his
exploit was described by Mohorisi, one of my companions, as one of
extreme cowardice, he having made an attack upon the defenseless
villagers of Londa, while, as we had found on our former visit, a
lion had actually killed eight people of Naliele without his daring to
encounter it. The Makololo are cowardly in respect to animals, but brave
against men. Mpololo took all the guilt upon himself before the people,
and delivered up a captive child whom his wife had in her possession;
others followed his example, till we procured the release of five of the
prisoners. Some thought, as Masiko had tried to take their children by
stratagem, they ought to take his by force, as the two modes suited the
genius of each people--the Makalaka delight in cunning, and the Makololo
in fighting; and others thought, if Sekeletu meant them to be at peace
with Masiko, he ought to have told them so.

It is rather dangerous to tread in the footsteps of a marauding party
with men of the same tribe as the aggressors, but my people were in
good spirits, and several volunteers even offered to join our ranks.
We, however, adhered strictly to the orders of Sekeletu as to our
companions, and refused all others.

The people of every village treated us most liberally, presenting,
besides oxen, butter, milk, and meal, more than we could s