" Mashauana had hold of him by the hand, and
found him shaking. We examined his gun, and found that it had been
discharged. Both parties crowded up to their chiefs. One of the opposite
party coming too near, one of mine drove him back with a battle-axe. The
enemy protested their amicable intentions, and my men asserted the fact
of having the goods knocked down as evidence of the contrary. Without
waiting long, I requested all to sit down, and Pitsane, placing his
hand upon the revolver, somewhat allayed their fears. I then said to the
chief, "If you have come with peaceable intentions, we have no other; go
away home to your village." He replied, "I am afraid lest you shoot me
in the back." I rejoined, "If I wanted to kill you, I could shoot you
in the face as well." Mosantu called out to me, "That's only a Makalaka
trick; don't give him your back." But I said, "Tell him to observe that
I am not afraid of him;" and, turning, mounted my ox. There was not much
danger in the fire that was opened at first, there being so many trees.
The enemy probably expected that the sudden attack would make us forsake
our goods, and allow them to plunder with ease. The villagers were no
doubt pleased with being allowed to retire unscathed, and we were
also glad to get away without having shed a drop of blood, or having
compromised ourselves for any future visit. My men were delighted with
their own bravery, and made the woods ring with telling each other
how "brilliant their conduct before the enemy" would have been, had
hostilities not been brought to a sudden close.

I do not mention this little skirmish as a very frightful affair. The
negro character in these parts, and in Angola, is essentially cowardly,
except when influenced by success. A partial triumph over any body of
men would induce the whole country to rise in arms, and this is the
chief danger to be feared. These petty chiefs have individually but
little power, and with my men, now armed with guns, I could have easily
beaten them off singly; but, being of the same family, they would
readily unite in vast numbers if incited by prospects of successful
plunder. They are by no means equal to the Cape Caffres in any respect
whatever.

In the evening we came to Moena Kikanje, and found him a sensible man.
He is the last of the Chiboque chiefs in this direction, and is in
alliance with Matiamvo, whose territory commences a short distance
beyond. His village is placed on the east ba