20 MATABELE LAND. 



front-box of my waggon, commenced a conversation, 

 which one of our drivers interpreted, the end of 

 which was that he wanted some coffee and sugar. 

 I gave him five pounds of gunpowder, worth fifteen 

 shillings. He accepted it and then returned it, 

 asking for coffee instead. I then gave him two or 

 three pounds of coffee, worth perhaps five shillings, 

 which afforded him great satisfaction, and after 

 thanking me he walked off in a stately manner, fol- 

 lowed by his train, his right-hand man carrying the 

 coffee in his robe of skin. During the interview the 

 latter produced a huge sort of bodkin from a sheath, 

 and extracted a thorn from Sekhomi's finger with the 

 utmost gravity. There are a good many white men 

 living here to trade, and also a missionary, on whom 

 I intend to call. 



" I cannot more fully describe the country at 

 present or our journey. It has not the charm for 

 me that the western world has, but I think farther 

 north there must be far more attractive scenery than 

 anything we have yet encountered. The days are 

 hot, though there is often a refreshing breeze. The 

 thermometer is about 82° in the shade during the 

 hottest part of the day, and one hot day in the sun 

 it rose to 100°. The nights are cold, and we have 

 yet had no insect pests, but our animals are infested 

 by ticks. . . . It is very annoying never to be able 

 to get letters from home. Mr. Hathorn, of the 

 Standard Bank at Pietermaritzburg, has promised 

 to forward all letters sent to his care for us, and to 

 assist us in every way he can. We found him most 



