The perspiration produced by copious draughts seems to give enjoyment, the evaporation causing a feeling of coolness.  The attendants of the chief, on these occasions, keep up a continuous roar of bantering, raillery, laughing, and swearing.  The dance is kept up in the moonlight till past midnight.  The women stand clapping their hands continuously, and the old men sit admiringly, and say, “It is really very fine.”  As crowds came to see me, I employed much of my time in conversation, that being a good mode of conveying instruction.  In the public meetings for worship the people listened very attentively, and behaved with more decorum than formerly.  They really form a very inviting field for a missionary.  Surely the oft-told tale of the goodness and love of our heavenly Father, in giving up his own Son to death for us sinners, will, by the power of his Holy Spirit, beget love in some of these heathen hearts.

1St October.  Before Ben Habib started for Loanda, he asked the daughter of Sebituane in marriage.  This is the plan the Arabs adopt for gaining influence in a tribe, and they have been known to proceed thus cautiously to form connections, and gradually gain so much influence as to draw all the tribe over to their religion.  I never heard of any persecution, although the Arabs with whom I came in contact seemed much attached to their religion.  This daughter of Sebituane, named Manchunyane, was about twelve years of age.  As I was the bosom-friend of her father, I was supposed to have a voice in her disposal, and, on being asked, objected to her being taken away, we knew not whither, and where we might never see her again.  As her name implies, she was only a little black, and, besides being as fair as any of the Arabs, had quite the Arab features; but I have no doubt that Ben Habib will renew his suit more successfully on some other occasion.  In these cases of marriage, the consent of the young women is seldom asked.  A maid-servant of Sekeletu, however, pronounced by the Makololo to be good-looking, was at this time sought in marriage by five young men.  Sekeletu, happening to be at my wagon when one of these preferred his suit, very coolly ordered all five to stand in a row before the young woman, that she might make her choice.  Two refused to stand, apparently, because they could not brook the idea of a repulse, although willing enough to take her if Sekeletu had acceded to their petition without reference to her will.  Three dandified fellows stood forth, and she unhesitatingly decided on taking one who was really the best looking.  It was amusing to see the mortification exhibited on the black faces of the unsuccessful candidates, while the spectators greeted them with a hearty laugh.