a great extent consisting of “Melaphyr,” often its inclusions very beautiful, iron ore, iron, green and sandstone slate beds, etc. Yet, according to the report of hunters and traders, it appears in greater varieties in parts of the country not visited by me. I found metal mines worked in several places by the natives, as for example in the upper Leshumo Valley, near the Falls, etc.
In the whole, the scenery and nature of the valleys, which are mostly caused by the rocky declivitous hills, especially there where tributary valleys, forming an acute angle, join the larger ones, as well as their chief characteristics, which consist alternately of broad and narrow defiles, tend to make the country most attractive.
CHAPTER IV.
THE INHABITANTS.
I have mentioned that the southern hilly country of the Falls is inhabited by a small tribe which sometimes acknowledges Khama, sometimes La Bengola, at other times the ruler of the Marutse as its King, just whichever seems most advantageous and convenient. In reality, the western or smaller portion of the country belongs to Khama, the Bamanquato King, whilst the eastern is a part of the Matabele country. The tribe which inhabits this small tract of land is called Manansa, but it is also known by the nickname Mashapatan. About fifteen years ago this tribe was considerably larger, and inhabited numerous villages. The Manansa are looked upon with disdain by all tribes which live in their neighbourhood, such as the Matabele, Betshuana, and Makalaka, as well as by those which constitute the Marutse kingdom. The chief trait in their character is a certain cowardice, and it is chiefly this which causes them to be looked upon with such contempt by the other natives. Although the Manansa are not tributary either to the Matabele or Bamanquato, they are treated more scornfully than the Makalaka and the different slave tribes of the Matabele, or the Masarwa and the Makalahari, the vassal tribes of the Betshuana. Their good nature
