SLAVES AND THEIR 'FATHERS.' 153 
in metals and woven stuffs for ages. They are not 
all conquered yet ; but the Matabele king is con- 
stantly sending out parties of warriors, who steal 
their cattle, kill the old people, and carry the child- 
ren into slavery. The little slaves grow up in the 
families of the Matabele, and when they are old 
enough to marry, become free and are incorporated 
into the nation, in which way Lobengula increases 
his people and his power. The slaves call those of 
their conquerors to whom they are allotted, their 
' fathers,' and they have to work for them, though 
more like adopted children than anything else. 
Many of the conquered people, however, are not- 
made part of the nation, but suffered to live on with 
a Matabele headman placed over them. It is usually 
slave boys that one gets as servants. They have to 
look after the cattle and make themselves generally 
useful, carrying one's arms, blankets, or anything 
else required, when one goes for a day or two into 
the veldt. I have now six boys, all young, which I 
always prefer, besides my driver, a stupid creature, 
who requires constant blowing up and the use of 
unpleasantly strong remarks.^ When these fail 
altogether, I shall have to try the argument of 
knocking him down, which may be slightly beneficial. 
^ This refers to John, the man whom Frank Gates had engaged as 
interpreter at Gubuleweyo some months before, and whom he had 
since retained in the capacity of general servant. He had recently 
acted as driver in the place of Karl Lee, who had returned from 
Tati to his brother's farm, instead of coming forward, as intended, to 
Bamangwato. 
