88 MATABELE LAND. 



whom I suspect of doing me out of the Zambesi, 

 was very anxious for me to go to the king to-day, as 

 he has to deliver me back to him in person, and 

 never lets me go out of his sight for a moment if 

 he can help it. This opportunity of writing home, 

 however, is keeping me this evening. 



" My old man is the cousin of the king and 

 nephew of Mosilikatze, and the king sent him with 

 me as a special mark of favour. If any harm had 

 befallen me he would have been held responsible, 

 and with most fearful zeal did he fulfil his office. 

 He would never let me sleep without a hut, or do 

 anything he deemed imprudent or unhealthy, carry- 

 ing his care of me to such a pitch that it was often 

 a very great bore. I am told that if I go away 

 again into the veldt either now or years hence, I 

 shall have to go with this same man, Matlauli, or, 

 should he not be living, with one of his sons. I 

 would have forgiven him everything if he had taken 

 me to the Victoria Falls. 



" A puppy has been added to my establishment. 

 It was one of a family born in the veldt, on the 

 banks of the Gwailo River, and with its brothers and 

 sisters carried over its master's shoulders in a small 

 bark cage when we were on the move. I had 

 several narrow escapes of being bitten by the 

 mamma, who hated me, though I always did my 

 utmost for the comfort of the family. 



" I have still two of my original four dogs with 



