106 MATABELE LAND. 



when he is in a state of excitement. I went to see 

 the king, who was looking very sulky. There is 

 no dancing to-day. It appears the king is very 

 angry at the fighting of yesterday. 



"January i ith. — Heavy rain very early; a little 

 bright sunshine about breakfast-time, when I par- 

 tially dried the things that had got wet in the tent, 

 causing me considerable discomfort. It soon came 

 on to rain again, however, and rained more or less 

 during the day. I was to have taken my things 

 out of Myers's store and packed the waggon, but the 

 rain prevented me. In the morning I heard the 

 king was inspanning to go to some neighbouring 

 abode of royalty, and hurried to take him his horse. 

 After handing it over to him, and being told to give 

 it in charge of Petersen, I asked him if he would 

 buy a saddle and bridle, to which he replied, these 

 were always supposed to go with the horse, the 

 saddle being part of its back. However, I hope he 

 won't insist on this any more, and indeed I may go 

 away without seeing him again, unless I do so 

 voluntarily. Piet, who interpreted for me, told me 

 that the king is very angry about the disturbance, 

 and will probably kill a number of the people, and 

 for this they think he is going away in such a hurry. 

 There were twelve black, or nearly black, bullocks 

 in the royal waggon, and when it started the throne 

 was carried — as it always has to be done — on a boy's 

 head. It is a straight-backed, substantial, and 

 extremely plain, green chair, with red daubs on it. 

 Over the back and seat is stretched a piece of lion- 



