2i8 MATABELE LAND. 
enjoyed anything more. I got back to the waggon 
late that night, and soon afterwards reached Tati, 
where I have been ever since. Incidents are rather 
scarce, and I have therefore made the most of the 
foregoing insignificant ones. 
" I have now a new driver, my old one having 
refused to go with me after my first repulse by the 
Makalakas. My present man is a huge creature, 
civil enough, but too fond of brandy. He one even- 
ing made a raid when I was absent, and broke open 
some of my boxes, not leaving a single bottle of 
brandy in my possession, but how many bottles I 
had I have no idea. He shared the spoils with his 
friends, and they were at it all night. Next day I 
cross-examined him closely, and got a confession out 
of him. I then fined him ^5, and reduced his wages 
from £/\. a month to ^3. He got off cheap, as it is 
common in such cases to tie the offender up and 
whip him. The whole race of waggon-drivers, with 
scarcely an exception, are worthless wretches — dissi- 
pated, lazy, impudent, and dishonest. It really seems 
that civilization has no other effect upon Kafirs than 
to make them worse than they naturally are. 
" I must now wind up this terrible letter. I know 
it is far too long, but it is too late now to obviate 
that defect." 
Another of Frank Oates's letters, written home 
to one of his brothers about this time, adds yet 
some further particulars of his late experiences. He 
says : — 
