xii PREFACE. 
minded that to "inspan" and " outspan," words of 
frequent occurrence in the traveller's journal, mean, 
in South African parlance, to "yoke" and "unyoke," 
and that "spoor" means "footprints" or "track." 
All other words of Dutch or native origin intro- 
duced into the text are explained, I believe, where 
they occur. The accent in the word " Matabele " 
falls, it may be added, on the third of its four 
syllables. 
My task is ended — in many respects a very 
mournful, yet a very pleasing one ; and if there be 
found but a few readers who derive either pleasure 
or profit from a perusal of these pages, I shall feel 
amply rewarded for my trouble. 
C. G. O. 
May 1 88 1. 
