212 MATABELE LAND. 
" Unfortunately my waggon was quite sufficiently 
loaded at starting, as I had never contemplated 
having to travel with only one w^aggon, in which case 
I should have left everything I could spare at Tati. 
As it was, I not only had to add to my own load the 
things belonging to me which were in Stoffel's 
waggon, but to take besides a large supply of corn 
and meal, which we had arranged at starting should 
be taken in his waggon also. The result was, that 
my waggon was overloaded ; and I had not gone 
more than two or three miles when one of the hind 
wheels broke, and the weight coming down on it, it 
was flattened under the waggon, with every spoke 
smashed. I felt instinctively that it was a hopeless 
case ; and, as I stood looking at it, came to the con- 
clusion that my Zambesi trip was at an end. Now 
that the season was so late, I was sure no help could 
arrive in time for me to proceed to the Zambesi, and 
therefore I saw the best thing was to take the mishap 
philosophically. It was one of the waggons I had 
bought in Bamangwato, the wood of which proved 
rotten. My only wish after this was to get back to 
Tati as quickly as possible. 
" The man that the king had given me to see 
me safe through the Makalakas now refused to stay 
any longer, though I did not tell him I should not 
attempt to proceed. I therefore paid him as the 
king had directed me, giving him more, in fact, than 
the latter had said. He was extremely insolent, and 
demanded double what I gave him. However, I 
knew he must submit, as the king had sent him with 
