Coin Would Have Been
Of No Benefit, For Gold And Silver Are Quite Unknown.
We were here joined
by Moriantsane, uncle of Sekeletu and head man of Sesheke,
and, entering canoes on the
13th, some sailed down the river
to the confluence of the Chobe, while others drove the cattle along the banks,
spending one night at Mparia, the island at the confluence of the Chobe,
which is composed of trap, having crystals of quartz in it
coated with a pellicle of green copper ore. Attempting to proceed
down the river next day, we were detained some hours by a strong east wind
raising waves so large as to threaten to swamp the canoes.
The river here is very large and deep, and contains two considerable islands,
which from either bank seem to be joined to the opposite shore. While waiting
for the wind to moderate, my friends related the traditions of these islands,
and, as usual, praised the wisdom of Sebituane in balking the Batoka,
who formerly enticed wandering tribes to them, and starved them,
by compelling the chiefs to remain by his side till all his cattle and people
were ferried over. The Barotse believe that at certain parts of the river
a tremendous monster lies hid, and that it will catch a canoe, and hold it
fast and motionless, in spite of the utmost exertions of the paddlers.
While near Nameta they even objected to pass a spot supposed to be haunted,
and proceeded along a branch instead of the main stream.
They believe that some of them possess a knowledge of the proper prayer
to lay the monster. It is strange to find fables similar to those
of the more northern nations even in the heart of Africa.
Can they be the vestiges of traditions of animals which no longer exist?
The fossil bones which lie in the calcareous tufa of this region will yet,
we hope, reveal the ancient fauna.
Having descended about ten miles, we came to the island of Nampene,
at the beginning of the rapids, where we were obliged to leave the canoes
and proceed along the banks on foot. The next evening we slept opposite
the island of Chondo, and, then crossing the Lekone or Lekwine,
early the following morning were at the island of Sekote, called Kalai.
This Sekote was the last of the Batoka chiefs whom Sebituane rooted out.
The island is surrounded by a rocky shore and deep channels,
through which the river rushes with great force. Sekote, feeling secure
in his island home, ventured to ferry over the Matebele enemies of Sebituane.
When they had retired, Sebituane made one of those rapid marches
which he always adopted in every enterprise. He came down the Leeambye
from Naliele, sailing by day along the banks, and during the night
in the middle of the stream, to avoid the hippopotami. When he reached Kalai,
Sekote took advantage of the larger canoes they employ in the rapids,
and fled during the night to the opposite bank.
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