CHAPTER III. 



Frank Oates proceeds to the king's town — Crosses the Ramakwebani 

 — Dutch hunters on the Impakwe — The Inkwisi ; picturesque 

 scenery — John Lee's farm — Monyama's kraal — The Shashani — 

 Fine country — Kumalo River. 



Returning now to follow Frank Oates's journey to 

 the king's town, Gubuluwayo, we find the greater 

 portion of his route described at some length in his 

 Journal. Leaving Tati, as has been mentioned, on 

 the 3 1 st of August, and advancing slowly, he crossed 

 the Ramakwebani, Impakwe, and Inkwisi Rivers, 

 and reached John Lee's farm on September 6th. 

 This John Lee is a well-known Boer, who at the 

 time here referred to farmed a large tract of country 

 under the king. From here proceeding after a 

 night's rest on his journey, he was detained four 

 days at Monyama's kraal, a few miles farther on, 

 till leave had been obtained for him from the king 

 to complete the distance, Gubuluwayo being reached 

 by the middle of September. The Journal of this 

 period is as follows : — 



"August 31st. — . . . Left Tati in the evening. 

 About midnight, whilst trekking, Hendrik calls me, 

 saying that the bullocks which are being driven 

 can't be got on, but keep going into the bush. 



