i3o MATABELE LAND. 



been to the kraal about boys," writes the traveller 

 that day, "we inspanned at 10.30 a.m., and trekked 

 about an hour, when we came to the drift of the 

 Inkwisi. The induna rode on my front -box. 

 Some of the road was rough ; scenery pretty. Had 

 to chop down part of a tree against which we were 

 running. We found Smit had crossed, and I sent 

 in boys to try the depth, and though it was deep I 

 resolved to push forward, for fear of rain and a 

 swollen current. In some places it was over a 

 man's middle. We stuck in the river ; had many 

 attempts to get out, but without success. Two 

 small oxen got half drowned, and we outspanned 

 them and inspanned two large ones. The boy who 

 was leading the front oxen let go the strap he held 

 them by, and we had a great deal of trouble. At 

 last we off-loaded a large part ol our cargo, sending 

 it over on the boys' backs. I worked hard ; so did 

 Karl. I then undressed and left the waggon before 

 they tried to get it on again. Old Smit now came 

 up to us, in the unadorned garb of nature, and 

 mounted the front-box. (He thrashed a young 

 nigger for laughing at his appearance.) They got 

 the waggon out this time, but some ot the oxen 

 had to swim. Very little water got inside, and we 

 loaded up again, and at sundown inspanned to go a 

 few yards to where Smit and Klaas were already 

 encamped. At night we all had supper together, 

 Smit contributing some excellent ' stamped corn.' 

 This is a capital dish. The corn is first crushed, 

 then boiled, and, when this is over, salt and butter 



