“He asked many sensible questions about the system of Christianity in connection with the putting away of wives.  They are always furnished with objections sooner than with the information.  I commended him for asking me, and will begin a course of instruction to-morrow.  He fears that learning to read will change his heart, and make him put away his wives.  Much depends on his decision.  May God influence his heart to decide aright!”

Two days after Livingstone says in his Journal: 

“1st June.—­The chief presented eight large and three small tusks this morning.  I told him and his people I would rather see them trading than giving them to me.  They replied that they would get trade with George Fleming, and that, too, as soon as he was well; but these they gave to their father, and they were just as any other present.  They asked after the gun-medicine, believing that now my heart would be warm enough to tell them anything, but I could not tell them a lie.  I offered to show Sekeletu how to shoot, and that was all the medicine I knew.  I felt as if I should have been more pleased had George been amassing ivory than I. Yet this may be an indispensable step in the progress toward opening the west.  I must have funds; and here they come pouring in.  It would be impossible to overlook his providence who has touched their hearts.  I have used no undue influence.  Indeed I have used none directly for the purpose Kindness shown has been appreciated here, while much greater kindness shown to tribes in the south has resulted in a belief we missionaries must be fools.  I do thank my God sincerely for his favor, and my hearty prayer is that He may continue it, and make whatever use He pleases of me, and may He have mercy on this people!”

Dr. Livingstone was careful to guard against the supposition that he allowed Sekeletu to enrich him without recompense, and in his Journal he sets down a list of the various articles presented by himself to the chief, including three goats, some fowls, powder, wire, flints, percussion-caps, an umbrella and a hat, the value of the whole being L31, 16s.  When Sekeletu knew Dr. Livingstone’s plans, he undertook that he should be provided with all requisites for his journey.  But he was most anxious to retain him, and for some time would not let him go.  Livingstone had fascinated him.  Sekeletu said that he had found a new father.  And Livingstone pondered the possibility of establishing a station here.  But the fever, the fever! could he bring his family?  He must pass on and look for a healthier spot.  His desire was to proceed to the country of the Barotse.  At length, on the 16th June, Sekeletu gives his answer: