108 MATABELE LAND. 



to come, and it was agreed to refer the question to 

 the king. The Journal of this time continues : — 



" January 2otk. — Fine, bright, windy morning; a 

 few clouds in the sky. Finished what was left to be 

 done to the waggon, and was going to trek early 

 when Jacob came and claimed his wages, and I 

 decided to go away to the king's to-night, and thence 

 start on my journey. A Kaffir woman has also 

 claimed Jacob as her son. Though Jacob asked 

 for his wages and said he did not wish to leave Dick, 

 he half admitted directly that it was only his fear of 

 Dick that made him say so, and that he really 

 wished to go with me. After the waggon was 

 loaded I waited some time for Jacob's return, he 

 having gone with his would-be mother to the king. 

 He did not come back, and I inspanned for the king's. 

 After about ten minutes' delay in getting off — unruly 

 bullocks and bad trek -gear — started fairly about 

 half-past five, and in about an hour and forty minutes 

 got to where the king is, meeting Jacob with the 

 woman going to Gubuluwayo. Jacob turned back 

 with me. The king has said the woman is not to 

 claim him. It seems she gave Jacob some locusts 

 and milk when he was hungry, for he and Dick have 

 fared badly of late. She then professed to see a 

 likeness in him to her lost child, taken in the war, 

 and he did not deny it, and afterwards she insisted 

 on keeping him. Jacob still says he wants to go 

 with me, but is afraid of Dick, and also wishes for 

 his wages as Dick urges him to get them, though 

 he knows Dick will appropriate them. He will let 



