yet gone by have been wretchedly cheated by unscrupulous
traders. Behind him, in a long line,
walked the twenty-five men that he proposed to place
at our disposal, strangely enough dressed m what
might be termed the ‘ transition style.’ Ostrich
feathers adorned all their hats. One wore a short
cutaway coat, which came down to the small of his
back, and nothing else. Another considered himself
sufficiently garbed with a waistcoat and a fly whisk.
They formed a curious collection of humanity, and
all twenty-five sat down in a row at a respectful
distance, whilst we parleyed with the chief. Luckily
for us our negotiations fell through owing to the difficulties
of transport; and, on inspection, I must say I
felt doubtful as to their capabilities. Away from the
influence of their chief, and in a strange country, I
feel sure they would have given us endless trouble.
We left Khama and his town with regret on our
journey northwards. A few miles below Palapwe
we crossed the Lotsani River, a series of semi-stagnant
pools, even after the rainy season, many of which
pools were gay just then with the lotus or blue water
lily (Nymphcea stellata). The water percolates through
the sand, which has almost silted it up, and a little
further on we came across what they call a ‘ sand
river.’ Not a trace of water is to be seen m the
sandy bed, but, on digging down a few feet, you
come across it.
The future colonisation and development of this
part of Bechuanaland is dependent on the question of
water, pure and simple. If artesian wells c a n be sunk,
if water can be stored in reservoirs, something may
be done ; but, at present, even the few inhabitants of
Khama’s country are continually plunged in misery
from drought;
North of Palapwe we met but few inhabitants,
and, after passing the camp of the Bechuanaland
Border Police at Macloutsie, we entered what is
known as the ‘ debatable country,’ between the territories
of Khama and Lobengula, and claimed by both.
It is, at present, uninhabited and unproductive, flat
and uninteresting, and continues as far as Fort Tuli,
on the Shashi River, after crossing which we entered
the country which comes under the direct influence
of Lobengula, the vaguely defined territory which
under the name of Mashonaland is now governed
by the Chartered Company.