THE MANGWE CROSSED. 123 
under them, that, when Vincent left his work, which 
he had been going at like the fine energetic fellow he 
is, and we sat down for a moment to drink a cup of 
coffee, the waggon looked like getting off. This it 
did without difficulty, and we started again about 10 
P.M. We had one more stick afterwards in a deep 
rut, but Vincent levelled the ground in a few minutes, 
and we were off again, and finally crossed Mangwe 
drift without a mishap. This was the greatest feat 
of all. The river was full of water, the men were 
nearly up to their armpits (one crossed clinging to 
' Blackberg's ' tail), but we went through it without 
any delay or trouble, and I was indeed thankful that 
our dissel-boom was chained. After this we trekked 
a short distance along a good road to John Lee's. 
Here were Dawson's two waggons sent up by Cruick- 
shank, and Vincent's waggon sent by Hogg. Skin- 
ner's waggon was some little way off. Skinner and 
Dawson were waiting for the river to go down. We 
outspanned about 1.30 a.m., and had supper." 
At this point Frank Oates remained a few days, 
hoping for somie improvement in the weather. Soon 
after his arrival he wrote home as follows : — 
" Mr. John Lee's, Mangwe, 
" Matabele Country. 
'■'■February isf, 1874. 
" I take the opportunity of a waggon going to 
Bamangwato, to send a few lines to let you know 
how I am getting on. I wrote last to you from Mr. 
Thomson's at Hope Fountain. Since then I have 
been detained at Gubuleweyo, the King's Town, first 
