MY NATIVE ATTENDANTS GO HOME. 321 



Mackenzie's house, goats could be purchased, and I 

 had not now spare people to drive an uneducated one 

 along with the wagon till it got accustomed to follow. 



My Mashoona and Macalaca people remained three 

 or four days after my arrival here; hut, having thoroughly 

 rested, and hecome strong through the enjoyment of an 

 abundance of food, they had started for the north with 

 all their worldly goods upon their hacks. 



I was very sorry to lose them, and, poor fellows ! they 

 were in great grief when they hade me good-bye ; for a 

 rumour had reached them that Lubengulo, king of the 

 Matabele, was putting all their countrymen to death 

 who had dared to visit the Diamond-fields without his 

 express permission. When such was the case, one would 

 imagine that they would have remained where they 

 were, or retraced their steps ; and, although Mr. Mac- 

 kenzie and myself both pointed this out to them, so 

 great was their love of home and relatives, that they 

 preferred running the risk to remaining longer away. 



The Macalaca lad, the one who shot the ox, I should 

 particularly have liked to keep with me ; but such was 

 not to be ; the last I saw of them was their going up 

 the kloof in single file. During the stay of these people 

 with me and they were constantly about the wagon 

 I never missed anything, although the Macalacas 

 have the reputation of being addicted to pilfering. 



At length the day of departure arrived. The whole 

 community had done their utmost to induce me not to 

 proceed farther without a companion, particularly as I 

 did not speak the language of the people, but I would 

 not be persuaded. What others had done I could do ; 

 if not, it would not be for want of trying. So the 

 wheels were greased, new straps and yoke-keys put in 

 v 



