The place now occupied by the Selukwe Mission was at one time the home of a prominent Mashona chief by the name of n'Dema. The kopje (shown on right of sketch) on which the chief had his kraal, formed one of the strong-holds of the tribe. It was here that the chief successfully withstood the attacks of other warlike tribes. There still remain traces of his dwelling-huts and grain-houses, which were perched upon the tops of large boulders. Remains of the old smelting-furnaces, where they made their spear-heads and other implements, are also to be seen. During the rebellion in 1897 the British troops had considerable difficulty in12dislodging the rebels, many of whom hid themselves in a cave in the side of the kopje. The soldiers finally resorted to dynamite, which was successful, and the natives surrendered. About fifty of the natives who were slain were then hanged upon the trees by the British to frighten the survivors into submission. One of the trees (a wild fig) where the bodies were hanged has been pointed out to us.
COMPANY BAPTIZED AT NAZARETH, SOUTH INDIA
Before we knew the history of the tree, we suggested to our boys that it would be a nice place to build one of their huts. They looked downcast, shrugged their shoulders, but said nothing. There are several such trees about the place, but this one in particular had a good yield of fruit this season, and we enjoyed the figs. Against another hill near by are the remains of a stone fort built by the British. A few of the men who fought in the 1897 rebellion now attend our Sabbath services, held within a few hundred yards of where their comrades perished.
Many of the older natives have learned to appreciate the rule of the British, as they realize that it has brought them protection of life and property, and deliverance from one continual strife. We are thankful that the Lord has opened the way for us to bring to these people the gospel of a greater deliverance.
