THE MANGWE CROSSED. 123 



at length so firmly locked with chains and the 



wheels raised so effectually with stones placed under 



them, that, when Vincent left his work, which he 



had been going at like the fine energetic fellow he 



is, and we sat down for a moment to drink a cup of 



coffee, the waggon looked like getting off. This it 



did without difficulty, and we started again about 10 



p.m. We had one more stick afterwards in a deep 



rut, but Vincent levelled the ground in a few minutes, 



and we were off again, and finally crossed Mangwe 



drift without a mishap. This was the greatest feat 



of all. The river was full of water, the men were 



nearly up to their armpits (one crossed clinging to 



' Blackberg's ' tail), but we went through it without 



any delay or trouble, and I was indeed thankful that 



our dissel-boom was chained. After this we trekked 



a short distance along a good road to John Lee's. 



Here were Dawson's two waggons sent up by 



Cruickshank, and Vincent's waggon sent by Hogg. 



Skinner's waggon was some little way off. Skinner 



and Dawson were waiting for the river to go down. 



We outspanned about 1.30 a.m. and had supper." 



Whilst waiting here a few days in hopes of 



better weather, Frank Oates wrote home as follows : — 



" Mr. John Lee's, Mangwe, 

 "February \st, 1874. 



" I take the opportunity of a waggon going to 

 Bamangwato, to send a few lines to let you know 

 how I am getting on. I wrote last to you from Mr. 

 Thomson's at Hope Fountain. Since then I have 

 been detained at Gubuluwayo, the king's town, first 



