30 THE F A R INTERIOR.
They evidently saw us, but they did not start off until we
were within about two hundred yards of them. Then off
we dashed in pursuit, over the grassy veldt, and winding
in and out among thorn bushes, holes, and heaps. The
pace was marvellous. I soon felt that it would put my
horse out, for he was not long in beginning to pump like a
high-pressure engine. But I urged him on to the utmost
of my power, and, dismounting, let fly both barrels of my
500 express without effect.
Selous and Kirton, who were on very fine horses, kept up
the running; the former doing very good work with a
small 450 Metford. Between them they soon brought down
the two giraffes—two large bulls—the biggest measuring
sixteen feet from the top of the skull to the soles of
the fore-feet. They had run so far from the track of the
waggon that we could not utilize the meat, although it
would have been most acceptable, because we had a large
number of hungry dogs. But' we cut out the tongues,
and also had one of the hearts, which are much esteemed.
While we were returning to the waggons we saw numbers
of wildebeeste, but did not give chase, as the horses were
tired. We found the waggons at a small vlei, called Selinia.
During the night-time, lions prowled about the camp, and
in the morning we saw the spoor. They had evidently been
looking out for the oxen.
For some part of our journey we were now, through a
scarcity of water, compelled to travel by night.
We arrived at Shoshong, Bamangwato, or Khama’s Town,’
about mid-day on the third of April, and remained there
for a few days, putting up at the house of Mr. James
Dawson, one of the most generous-hearted of traders—a
worthy Scot—who keeps open house for all passing travellers.
By wandering about the place, I was enabled to
KHAMA. 31
learn a good deal about the customs and ways of the
Bechuana people.
As some attention has of late been attracted to the place,
in speaking of the new British colony of Bechuana-land, I
will give a brief description of Shoshong. The town is not
within the protectorate. • I t is situated on the northern side
of a large open valley, close to the foothills of a black
basaltic range of mountains, which, as you approach from
the south, have a dark and dreary look.
Khama’s Town is the name by which perhaps it is moat
familiar in England, through its having been adopted by
“ special commissioners ” and newspapers. The name Comes
from Khama, the ruling chief, who is a son of Sekhome.
Kliamn. is a very good man, and singularly considerate to
the whites. Such, in fact, has always been his character.
He is supposed to be the king of the Bechuana people, and,
like most of the black monarchs, he claims and boasts of a
good deal more territory than he has any actual power
over. Like Theebaw, Khama, in his mind’s eye, is a “ Lord
of Boundless Dominions,” but his modesty makes him speak
of the Zambesi as his limit on the north-west!
The introduction of Christianity has caused a good deal
of disturbance among the chiefs of Shoshong, giving rise to
serious differences between fathers, sons, and brothers, and
leading to separation, and even to fighting among those
who had adopted the new faith and those who clung to the
old order of things.
I met Khama several times. He appeared to be anxious
to buy saddles and horses, doubtless for his cavalry regiment.
Fifty years would be about his age, I should say; but he
wears well, and in appearance and action is a gentleman.
He dresses in European garb, as indeed do all the Kaffirs
here when they can afford to do so. Those who cannot