All these people are excessively fond of beef and butter, from having been accustomed to them in their youth, before the Makololo deprived them of cattle.

They have abundance of game, but I am quite of their opinion that, after all, there is naught in the world equal to roast beef, and that in their love for it the English show both good taste and sound sense.

The ox was intended for Masiko, but his men were very anxious to get my sanction for slaughtering it on the spot.

I replied that when it went out of my hands I had no more to do with it.

They, however, wished the responsibility of slaughtering it to rest with me; if I had said they might kill it, not many ounces would have remained in the morning.