The river, I had the satisfaction of getting observations
for both longitude and latitude - for the former, the distance between
Saturn and the Moon, and for the latter a meridian altitude of Canopus.
Long. 22d 57' E., lat. 12d 6' 6" S.
These were the only opportunities I had of ascertaining my whereabouts
in this part of Londa. Again and again did I take out the instruments,
and, just as all was right, the stars would be suddenly obscured by clouds.
I had never observed so great an amount of cloudiness
in any part of the south country; and as for the rains, I believe
that years at Kolobeng would not have made my little tent so rotten and thin
as one month had done in Londa. I never observed in the south
the heavy night and early morning rains we had in this country.
They often continued all night, then became heavier about an hour before dawn.
Or if fair during the night, as day drew nigh, an extremely heavy,
still, pouring rain set in without warning. Five out of every six days
we had this pouring rain, at or near break of day, for months together;
and it soon beat my tent so thin, that a mist fell through on my face
and made every thing damp. The rains were occasionally, but not always,
accompanied with very loud thunder.
FEBRUARY 1ST. This day we had a fine view of two hills called Piri (Peeri),
meaning "two", on the side of the river we had left. The country there
is named Mokwankwa. And there Intemese informed us one of Shinte's children
was born, when he was in his progress southward from the country of Matiamvo.
This part of the country would thus seem not to have been inhabited
by the people of Shinte at any very remote period. He told me himself
that he had come into his present country by command of Matiamvo.
Here we were surprised to hear English cotton cloth much more eagerly
inquired after than beads and ornaments. They are more in need of clothing
than the Bechuana tribes living adjacent to the Kalahari Desert,
who have plenty of skins for the purpose. Animals of all kinds are rare here,
and a very small piece of calico is of great value.
In the midst of the heavy rain, which continued all the morning,
Intemese sent to say he was laid up with pains in the stomach,
and must not be disturbed; but when it cleared up, about eleven,
I saw our friend walking off to the village, and talking
with a very loud voice. On reproaching him for telling an untruth,
he turned it off with a laugh by saying he really had a complaint
in his stomach, which I might cure by slaughtering one of the oxen
and allowing him to eat beef.
