enough to oppose his depredatory incursions which he every year makes into that country. But I believe at the present moment the situation is changed a little. It was about three years ago, when a certain number of Dutchmen who left the Transvaal, and who were going into the Damara country to establish a new republic, intended to take possession of the Matabele-land, that I saw an opportunity to get permission of a free access to the Mashonas. The Matabele king, La-Bengula, asked our Government to restrain the Dutch to come into his kingdom, and so I thought if we could prevent them from their intention, the king would do our wishes regarding Mashona-land. But the Dutch changed their opinion, and did not go to the Matabale country, but into the Damara country, and since then we have lost every hope of doing trade with that country. But lately, since the affairs in Zululand, the king has changed a great deal his opinion of us. He is once more willing to hear our sound words of reason, and I believe, under present circumstances, we gained so much esteem in Gubuluvajo (the king’s residence) that when requested the king would not stop our going in and our trading with the Mashonas, and our cultivation of that part of South Africa also, as he knows we do not bring in any more guns and shooting material amongst the tribes.
This is only a very rough sketch—(cheers)—and I feel sorry to say that I am unable to express myself as I wish to do. During my stay in South Africa I have been so busy amongst the natives that I have not had the opportunity to acquire the English language in such a way as to deliver a proper lecture. (“No, no.”) Therefore I must be pardoned for many mistakes made during this lecture. I wished very much to make good use of all the influence I could amongst the chiefs, as I went amongst them as their friend. I went amongst them as a medical man; I did not go as a missionary, nor as a trader. I went to help them, and in that way I had opportunities of observing in every way those tribes, and, having their confidence, I often saw behind the curtain. I gained the knowledge that we can put all our confidence in most of the Bechuana tribes and most of the Bechuana chiefs between the Waal river and the Zambesi. They are one race, but different tribes, with regard to their mental capabilities, their customs, &c. Mankwenune, the chief of the Batlapins, proved a man to whom we can not well trust; but through recent events he has become a better man. Another chief, Montzua, is a man whom we can trust in every way; to a certain extent, to King Katsitsine. Lechel, the King of the Bakwena, is the same man whom Livingstone mentioned
