Their ideas of the value of different kinds of goods rather astonished those who had dealt only with natives on the coast.

Hearing it stated with confidence that the Africans preferred the thinnest fabrics, provided they had gaudy colors and a large extent of surface, the idea was so new to my experience in the interior that I dissented, and, in order to show the superior good sense of the Makololo, took them to the shop of Mr.Schut.When he showed them the amount of general goods which they might procure at Loanda for a single tusk, I requested them, without assigning any reason, to point out the fabrics they prized most.

They all at once selected the strongest pieces of English calico and other cloths, showing that they had regard to strength without reference to color.

I believe that most of the Bechuana nation would have done the same.

But I was assured that the people near the coast, with whom the Portuguese have to deal, have not so much regard to durability.