Several Tribes Of Bechuana
And Basutu, Fleeing From The Zulu Or Matebele Chief Moselekatse
Reached The Zambesi Above The Falls.
Coming from a land without
rivers, none of them knew how to swim; and one tribe, called the
Bamangwato,
Wishing to cross the Zambesi, was ferried over, men and
women separately, to different islands, by one of the Batoka chiefs;
the men were then left to starve and the women appropriated by the
ferryman and his people. Sekomi, the present chief of the
Bamangwato, then an infant in his mother's arms, was enabled, through
the kindness of a private Batoka, to escape. This act seems to have
made an indelible impression on Sekomi's heart, for though otherwise
callous, he still never fails to inquire after the welfare of his
benefactor.
Sebetuane, with his wonted ability, outwitted the treacherous Batoka,
by insisting in the politest manner on their chief remaining at his
own side until the people and cattle were all carried safe across;
the chief was then handsomely rewarded, both with cattle and brass
rings off Sebetuane's own wives. No sooner were the Makololo, then
called Basuto, safely over, than they were confronted by the whole
Batoka nation; and to this day the Makololo point with pride to the
spot on the Lekone, near to which they were encamped, where
Sebetuane, with a mere handful of warriors in comparison to the vast
horde that surrounded him, stood waiting the onslaught, the warriors
in one small body, the women and children guarding the cattle behind
them.
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