MOSELEKATSE. 183 



magnitude "would have been hurled from the dizzy heights, where they seem 

 to tremble with a breath of air. 



"Last night, when about retiring to rest, two messengers from Moselekatse 

 arrived, who had left yesterday morning, and had travelled most of the night. 

 The principal one delivered the message with great animation, and with many 

 extravagant expressions about the delight the news of my arrival had 

 imparted to the sovereign. Observing him to be evidently much fatigued 

 with his run, I remarked that, instead of starting early to-morrow, we should 

 defer till the afternoon following, that he might rest. To this he would on 

 no account agree, adding, ' No rest for me. I want none till I see you in the 

 presence of Moselekatse.' We accordingly started early, and, after much 

 ■winding, got through a range of high precipitous hills. All the rivers we 

 passed, since leaving the Banguaketse, run to the East and E.S.E. We have 

 passed to-day rivers which all flow to the N.N.W., while farther to the right 

 there are still tributary streams going to the Limpopo. We are thus travelling 

 along the backbone, or highest place of this part of Africa, between 27° and 

 29' E. long. All the rivers to the N.W. turn North and fall into the 

 Zambesi. 



"Last night, after having all got fast asleep, a man arrived from the town 

 with an ox to be slaughtered. The native idea was, that we must kill and 

 eat the whole night, and start on the coming morn. It was kindly 

 intended, but not according to our way of doing things. On we went, and 

 as we passed some towns, out rushed men and women to see us. It was a 

 favourable opportunity ; for no one dares to come to head-quarters, except on 

 special business, so they made the best of the time they had. Early in the 

 forenoon, as we approached the royal residence, we met men with shields and 

 spears coming in procession to inform us of the king's happiness at our arrival. 

 We, as a matter of course, expected to see some such display as I had 

 witnessed on my former visits. Being considerably in advance of the 

 waggons we entered the large public fold, and, following a chief man, were 

 led to the opposite side, where sat in different parties about 60 chief men. 

 The town appeared new, or rather half finished. There was nothing like the 

 finish I had seen before in regal towns. We stood for some minutes at a door- 

 way in the fence, which seemed to lead to premises behind, where some kind 

 of preparations were going on. While our attention was directed to the 

 waggons, Moselekatse had been moved to the entrance where we were stand- 

 ing. On turning round there he sat on a kaross, but how changed ! The 

 vigorous and active monarch of the Matabele, was now aged, lame in the feet, 

 incapable of standing, or even moving himself along the floor. I entered, 

 and he grasped my hand, gave me an impressive look, drew his mantle over 

 his eyes, and wept. Some time elapsed before he could even speak or look at 

 me. In the meantime Mr. Edwards, who had gone to direct the waggons, 



