i887.] 
Stay in Garenganze. 
217 
chance of Cinyama being here next month; that he had just 
come from Bihe, and knew how matters stood. Thoughtfully 
considering our empty corn-bin, and that we had no more beads 
or cloth to buy with, Dick remarked, ''If Cinyama does not come 
next month we shall die of hunger." I checked him at once, 
and reminded him that they had not a day's hunger during 
all the months gone by, when many people of the country had 
actually perished from starvation. (The past season was a very 
hard one for the natives.) That day a drinking-cup had been 
stolen from my boy when on the way to draw water, and the king 
had sent to kill the thief I ran down to prevent this, and 
obtained Msidi's consent to his being put in chains for a few days 
instead. When I entered the king's house and greeted him 
he drew out from behind him a roll of eight yards of calico and 
gave it to me, saying, that perhaps I was in need of it to buy 
corn, as the crops were ripe. Where now were Dick's doubts ? 
I believe that this calico was given especially for Dick and Susi's 
sakes \ both mentioned the matter of food in prayer last night, 
I had not mentioned it; indeed, it is seldom in my thoughts, 
much less in my prayers. And here the answer comes the very 
next day, at early morning — calico to buy corn ! Msidi had 
never given me anything in that way before, except perhaps a 
basket of corn or rice. 
HOW A SADDLE AND BOOTS WERE PROVIDED. 
Not only to the boys, but to myself, this time of waiting upon 
God for our daily need has been greatly blessed ; indeed, it 
is only then that one can realise how truly this desert country 
might, in the experience of faith, become as a well-watered 
plain, and what seems only a way of discomfort and poverty 
prove a path dropping with fatness. Even to the matter of an 
ox-saddle and boots the Lord has been pleased to answer my 
requests in prayer. When at Bihe I had a good riding -ox 
without a saddle. I never dreamed of there being a saddle 
in the place, as there were no horses nearer than the coast, and 
the art of riding was virtually unknown in the country ; so I laid 
out my plans for making one. Finding, however, my time very 
much occupied in looking after porters, etc., I saw there was 
little prospect of having my saddle made by the day appointed 
