with the remark that he possessed two, in other words that it was false.
By the depredations which were repeated so often, this tribe was greatly diminished, being partly killed, led away in bonds as slaves, or by escaping to Sepopo, the Ruler of the Marutse kingdom (who has since been killed), or to Mochuri, the Chief of the Batoka and Wanke, Chief of the north-eastern Makalaka (north bank of the Zambezi). I endeavoured to learn whether those inhabiting the country which I treat of in my theme were placed under some particular Chief. I received evasive answers until I was assured that they acknowledge the son of the murdered “Great Chief” as their rightful Ruler, and that he now inhabits a small district touching the boundary of Wanke’s kingdom, on the northern bank of the Zambezi, and that those who still live in the country which I have described, and which is also claimed by Khame and La Bengola at the same time, cannot part with their love for their old native country, notwithstanding all the danger and ill-treatment they are here exposed to. As for me, I prefer the Manansa to most of the Betshuapa, and in every respect to the Makalaka and Matabele, as servants. Of all the servants that I hired, and others which I had opportunity of observing, I found the Manansa the most faithful and attached. The Manansa have many peculiar customs, in which they greatly differ from their neighbours. The manner of their match-making, as well as many of their prejudices, greatly enriched my diaries with interesting annotations. Their language is a link between the Betshuana and Matonga.
Grahamstown, 28th May, 1879.
