I30 MATABELE LAND. 
Inkwesi, The induna rode on my front -box. 
Some of the road was rough ; scenery pretty. Had 
to chop down part of a tree against which we were 
running. We found Smith had crossed, and I sent 
in boys to try the depth, and, though it was deep, I 
resolved to push forward, for fear of rain and a 
swollen current. In some places it was over a 
man's middle. We stuck in the river ; had many 
attempts to get out, but without success. Two 
small oxen got half drowned, and we outspanned 
them and inspanned two large ones. The boy who 
was leading the front oxen let go the strap he held 
them by, and we had a great deal of trouble. At 
last we off-loaded a large part of our cargo, sending 
it over on the boys' backs. I worked hard ; so did 
Karl. I then undressed and left the waggon before 
they tried to get it on again. Old Smith now came 
up to us, in the unadorned garb of nature, and 
mounted the front -box. (He thrashed a young 
nigger for laughing at his appearance.) They got 
the waggon out this time, but some of the oxen 
had to swim. Very little water got inside, and we 
loaded up again, and at sundown inspanned to go a 
few yards to where Smith and Klaas were already 
encamped. At night we all had supper together, 
Smith contributing some excellent ' stamped corn.' 
This is a capital dish. The corn is first crushed, 
then boiled, and, when this is over, salt and butter 
or fat stirred up with it. It is something like stiff 
rice-pudding." 
Advancing together the following morning, the 
