A ROYAL PROCESSION. 107 
Over the back and seat is stretched a piece of lion- 
skin. The dogs rushed off with the waggon, the 
second waggon started, in the back of which I could 
see a lot of meat and two young lambs or kids try- 
ing to keep their pins amongst the miscellaneous 
cargo inside ; the majachas started, and the royal 
procession was on its way. Busy a good deal in 
Myers's store. Unpacked and packed boxes there, 
and watched the rain. Terrible soaking wet even- 
ing and night. I managed, however, to keep dry 
in bed." 
From this time for some days the weather con- 
tinued so persistently and miserably wet, that it 
seemed out of all question to think of commencing 
the return journey to Tati, which the traveller was 
now preparing to undertake. The heat, at the same 
time, was also so intense that any exertion was 
laborious, and even the occupation of writing was 
a task. About the i8th, however, there was some 
improvement, and two days after this he was ready 
for a start, when the dispute with one of his servants 
above referred to necessitated his seeking a fresh 
interview with Lobengula, whom he followed to his 
present quarters, but a few miles off, on the evening 
of the 20th. This dispute arose from Frank Oates's 
dismissal of the Kafir driver Dick, who had come up 
with him from Natal ; the latter maintaining his right 
to retain the services of the young lad Jacob, whom 
he had originally brought with him for engagement 
in Pietermaritzburg, and who still accompanied the 
party. The two appeared to bear no relationship to 
