48 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN 



with their headgear adorned with ostrich feathers, 

 each man carryint^ a shield and assegais. I came 

 on them somewhat suddenly on topping a rise in 

 the ground ; on seeing me they broke into a run, 

 tapping their shields and shouting in deep guttural 

 tones. My first impulse was to gallop off, but 

 realising that my horse was just about cooked, I 

 merely edged off the path and rode stolidly on. 

 I had my rifle ready, and when a man came too 

 close I brought it up menacingly. Eventually I 

 got past the crowd, numbering about one hundred 

 and fifty, with a feeling of intense relief. 



On reaching Bulawayo I went straight to Colen- 

 brander to make inquiries concerning this infuriated 

 mob. Colenbrander's reply was : 



" You actually met these fellows and are still 

 alive and well ! " 



" I am here, that is clear enough," I replied. 



"If you had shown the slightest sign of fear you 

 would have had a hundred assegais into you before 

 you could wink." 



Some three days after this episode Colenbrander, 

 Renny Tayleur and myself were discussing the 

 situation. The former's opinion was that the 

 sooner I departed the better for all. He said 

 by an old custom the Matabele regarded their 

 harvest festivities as one at which no spectators 

 should be present, and that my presence was 



