212 MATABELE LAND. 



" Unfortunately my waggon was quite sufficiently 

 loaded at starting, as I had never contemplated 

 having to travel with only one waggon, in which case 

 I should have left everything I could spare at Tati. 

 As it was, I not only had to add to my own load the 

 things belonging to me which were in StofTel's 

 waggon, but to take besides a large supply of corn 

 and meal, which we had arranged at starting should 

 be taken in his waggon also. The result was, that 

 my waggon was overloaded ; and I had not gone 

 more than two or three miles when one of the hind 

 wheels broke, and the weight coming down on it, it 

 was flattened under the waggon, with every spoke 

 smashed. I felt instinctively that it was a hopeless 

 case ; and, as I stood looking at it, came to the con- 

 clusion that my Zambesi trip was at an end. Now 

 that the season was so late, I was sure no help could 

 arrive in time for me to proceed to the Zambesi, and 

 therefore I saw the best thing was to take the mishap 

 philosophically. It was one of the waggons I had 

 bought in Bamangwato, the wood of which proved 

 rotten. My only wish after this was to get back to 

 Tati as quickly as possible. 



" The man that the king had given me to see 

 me safe through the Makalakas now refused to stay 

 any longer, though I did not tell him I should not 

 attempt to proceed. I therefore paid him as the 

 king had directed me, giving him more in fact than 

 the latter had said. He was extremely insolent, and 

 demanded double what I gave him. However, I 

 knew he must submit, as the king had sent him with 



