iS4 MATABELE LAND. 



The worst of it is none of my boys are much afraid 

 of me. 



" I think I shall be very well supplied for my 

 coming trip. I shall have meal, coffee, and brandy, 

 which I have got here. Sugar is not to be had at 

 present, but may possibly turn up before I leave. 

 However, that doesn't matter much. Coffee is of 

 the first importance, then comes tobacco. To be 

 without these two is a thing I have never yet come 

 to. Meal too is a nice thing to have, though not 

 indispensable, as you can buy Kaffir corn, which 

 when cooked keeps you going. Brandy likewise 

 I am very glad to have got. 



" There are, besides the parties I have enume- 

 rated, a lot of Boer hunters going to the Zambesi, 

 with their wives and families. Those who go by 

 Tati will leave it about the middle of May, I think, 

 and I suppose the Falls can be reached and seen, 

 and you can be returning in August if you wish to 

 leave so soon. I look forward to the time when 1 

 shall be en route for home. When I came here and 

 got Willie's letter, and saw the place where our 

 waggons had stood together, I could not help feeling 

 a sort of yearning for home, and to-day when I got 

 your and the Mater's letters, it seemed as if it would 

 be so jolly to be with you all again soon ; but then I 

 comfort myself with thinking that it will only make 

 a few months' difference, going to the Zambesi, and 

 I did not like the idea of leaving the country with- 

 out accomplishing my object. I hope all will con- 

 tinue to go on well at home. 



