122 MATABELE LAND. 
return, and about the value of the beer In Hmbo, as 
I am not disposed to be over generous. I bought 
some calabash pumpkins, which I found afterwards 
were like excellent vegetable marrows when boiled ; 
also a water-melon, the second I have bought within 
the last day or two. They are in excellent condition 
now, and very refreshing. I also bought some sour 
milk, which my boys like. 
" Vincent came up on his way to Mungwato with 
a waggon and sixteen oxen, returning from Gubule- 
weyo, where he had been with a load. His waggon 
went on, and he remained behind to help me. I 
find him an excellent driver and a very energetic 
fellow, and I believe he would be very glad to go 
with me, as he is tired of trading under Hogg. 
However, he must go on now. 
" The sun was getting low as we inspanned. 
We soon came to a very bad place — a huge pit in 
fact — where the road had been, to avoid which we 
had to go through a very soft piece of ground, 
into which the waggon sank deep, and I thought it 
was a case of a regular stick, but Vincent got me 
out of this well, and showed his great superiority 
as a driver. We got over some bad places after 
this, but at length got into a heavy rut, the wheels 
on the off side of the waggon being deep in it, 
whilst those on the other side were high on firm 
ground. It looked like a serious case, and the sun 
set on our efforts. The dissel-boom was pulled out 
twice, but at length so firmly locked with chains, and 
the wheels raised so effectually with stones placed 
