Besides supporting multitudes of both small and large animals, it sends something to the market of the world, and has proved a refuge to many a fugitive tribe--to the Bakalahari first, and to the other Bechuanas in turn--as their lands were overrun by the tribe of true Caffres, called Matebele.

The Bakwains, the Bangwaketze, and the Bamangwato all fled thither; and the Matebele marauders, who came from the well-watered east, perished by hundreds in their attempts to follow them.

One of the Bangwaketze chiefs, more wily than the rest, sent false guides to lead them on a track where, for hundreds of miles, not a drop of water could be found, and they perished in consequence.

Many Bakwains perished too.

Their old men, who could have told us ancient stories, perished in these flights.