io8 MATABELE LAND. 
each other, and Frank Oates would have been glad 
to keep Jacob in his service, but the latter seemed 
afraid to come, and it was agreed to refer the ques- 
tion to the king. The Journal of this time con- 
tinues : — 
'' Januaiy 2oth. — Fine, bright, windy morning; a 
few clouds in the sky. Finished what was left to be 
done to the waggon, and v/as going to trek early 
when Jacob came and claimed his wages, and I 
decided to go away to the king's to-night, and thence 
start on my journey. A Kafir woman has also 
claimed Jacob as her son. Though Jacob asked 
for his wages and said he did not wish to leave Dick, 
he half admitted directly that it was only his fear of 
Dick that made him say so, and that he really 
wished to go with me. After the waggon was 
loaded, I waited some time for Jacob's return, he 
having gone with his would-be mother to the king. 
He did not come back, and I inspanned for the king's. 
After about ten minutes' delay in getting off — unruly 
bullocks and bad trek -gear — started fairly about 
half-past five, and in about an hour and forty minutes 
got to where the king is, meeting Jacob with the 
woman going to Gubuleweyo. Jacob turned back 
with me. The king has said the woman is not to 
claim him. It seems she gave Jacob some locusts 
and milk when he was hungry, for he and Dick have 
fared badly of late. She then professed to see a 
likeness in him to her lost child, taken in the war, 
and he did not deny it, and afterwards she insisted 
on keeping him. Jacob still says he wants to go 
