146 SPORT AND TRAVEL PAPERS 



to conduct the mission safely to the capital. We arrived there 

 after a rough journey through very pretty hilly and fertile country 

 on January 27th, and put up in the " Royal Charter " enclosure. 

 The King was staying at Enganine, seven miles to the south, 

 in one of the military kraals. His Majesty having fixed the 

 next day for our reception, we, arrayed in full uniform, were 

 driven over early in the morning. Lobengula was sitting in a 

 large perambulator he suffers from gout in an extensive cattle 

 kraal containing many oxen, and we were duly presented to him. 

 A curious scene in South Central Africa ! We in our magnificent 

 uniform, the King clothed in nothing hut a Royal Navy cap with 

 a blue ostrich feather, and a small strip of monkey skin in front ! 

 He is enormously fat, has a cruel, sensual expression, small eyes, 

 very large lips, and altogether we were not at all impressed by 

 his ostensibly regal presence. Presents having been given, and 

 Her Majesty's letter read and translated, a large wooden dish 

 containing cooked beef was brought. After the King had seized 

 a large piece of fat the dish passed round, and soon everybody 

 was busy devouring the excellent meat with the aid of fingers 

 and teeth. Presently a slave girl brought an immense tin vessel 

 full of native beer. After she had drank thereof to lessen the 

 chance of its containing poison it passed from mouth to mouth 

 until we could do no more. This beer, made from Kaffir corn, 

 if not kept too long, is very palatable. Of a thick, white con- 

 sistence, it is most nourishing, hence the weight of all who drink 

 of it largely. The King has his own pot and special beer girl of 

 large dimensions, who shares with him the contents. During 

 the interview men were continually coming and going, all 

 approaching in a stooping attitude shouting the King's praises 

 the royal title, Kumalo, Son of the Sun, Eater of Men, King of 

 Kings, &c., &c. The proceeding was the same at all our seven or 

 eight interviews with Matabele Majesty, each of which lasted 

 four or five hours. He took great interest in the uniforms, and 

 had everything explained to him. On our departure Loben- 

 gula was presented with a complete suit of uniform which, by 

 the way, he will have to let out considerably. Afterwards the 

 Bamangwato chief, Khama, received a similar present, and thus 

 both were enrolled among the members of the Royal Regiment 

 of Horse Guards. We had arrived at a most fortunate moment, 

 for in a few days the annual Matabele great war-dance was to 



