t54 MATABELE LAND. 
This is supposed to attach a boy to you. The worst 
of it is none of my boys are much afraid of me, 
" I think I shall be very well supplied for my 
coming trip. I shall have meal, coffee, and brandy, 
which I have got here. Sugar is not to be had at 
present, but may possibly turn up before I leave. 
However, that doesn't matter much. Coffee is of 
the first importance, then comes tobacco. To be 
without these two is a thing I have never yet come 
to. Meal too is a nice thing to have, though not 
indispensable, as you can buy Kafir corn, which, 
when cooked, keeps you going. Brandy, likewise, 
I am very glad to have got. 
"There are, besides the parties I have enume- 
rated, a lot of Boer hunters going to the Zambesi, 
with their wives and families. Those who go by 
Tati will leave it about the middle of May, I think, 
and I suppose the Falls can be reached and seen, 
and you can be returning in August if you wish to 
leave so soon. I look forward to the time when I 
shall be en route for home. When I came here and 
got Willie's letter, and saw the place where our 
waggons had stood together, I could not help feeling 
a sort of yearning for home, and to-day when I got 
your and the Mater's letters, it seemed as if it would 
be so jolly to be with you all again soon, but then I 
comfort myself with thinking that it will only make 
a few months' difference, going to the Zambesi, and 
I did not like the idea of leaving the country with- 
out accomplishing my object. I hope all will con- 
tinue to go on well at home. 
