RIDE TO GUBULEWEYO. 183 
reluctantly commenced his journey back to Tati, re- 
solved to revisit the king, and ascertain from his 
own lips the real truth of the induna's statement. 
The fine clear nights, during a part of which he now 
made a point of trekking, were brilliant as he returned 
with glittering stars and constellations, the Southern 
Cross at this time conspicuous amongst the latter a 
little after sunset. Four days after starting he was 
back at the Tati settlement, and on the 30th of June 
started on horseback to the King's Town, with 
eight boys to take his baggage. 
On reaching the King's, Lobengula tried to laugh 
the matter off, and this time, as an assurance of good 
faith, appointed one of his own people, a son of the 
headman, Manyami, to see him safe through the 
country of the Makalakas. Frank Oates was again 
back at Tati on the 15th of July, and here, before 
starting once more for the Zambesi, he made some 
fresh plans and arrangements for the journey. What 
these arrangements were may best be learned from the 
ensuing letter, written at this time from Tati, and 
containing, besides, some particulars of his recent 
journey to Gubuleweyo. This letter is as follows : — 
" Tati, July 21st, 1874. 
" I am, you see, at Tati once more. ... I left 
here for the Zambesi on the 9th of June, and on 
the 1 8th — travelling very slowly, as I had lots of 
time before me — reached the first Makalaka kraal 
on the Zambesi road. Here I was stopped, being 
told that the king had sent a special order to turn 
all waggons back which might come that way. They 
