ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE JOURNEY. 65 
me. If I find that I am delayed and cannot reach 
the Falls as quickly as I had hoped, I shall very 
likely turn back without accomplishing my object, as 
I am desirous not to run any foolish risks, and have 
been at great pains in collecting all possible infor- 
mation. 
" The men who carry my things will be most of 
them of the conquered population, and the two guides 
appointed by the king (one of whom, as I have 
mentioned, left me this morning to go on in advance, 
the other being now at Inyati) are able to do what 
they like= No one dare oppose the king, and the 
Matabele men he gives me renders any fear of de- 
sertion or disobedience superfluous. Besides, these 
two men know that they must carry out the king's 
orders to the letter. I have also got an interpreter, 
a man who speaks English and Kafir perfectly, my 
own servant Hendrik, and my driver and his boy.^ 
I shall take my tent if possible, plenty of ground 
sheets and bedding, meal, tins of biscuits, and coffee. 
For meat we have to rely on the guns carried by the 
party, but there seems not the slightest fear of scar- 
city, in fact the bearers are expected to live entirely 
on meat, having guns and ammunition allowed them 
for the purpose. No beast of burden or dog can 
accompany us, as it is the tsetse-fly country. 
" Had it been earlier in the season I should have 
gone from the Tati, by which route you can take 
your waggon to within a few miles of the Falls, but 
1 The interpreter here spoken of was a native from Graham's Town, 
who remained with Frank Gates till July the following year. 
F 
