268 
AFRICA AND ITS EXPLORATION. 
instance they were chiefly anxious to find out if we 
were on a search for gold, and as Monyama saw 
Hiibner collecting, examining, and testing stones every 
day, he made sure we were. This information was 
important to old Monyama and the Matabeles, because 
they thought, as the whites value that metal above 
everything, they would be able to exact a larger 
tribute or Tusa. 
On the morning of the 18th August I took young 
Monyama and my Bechuana servant Umloi out hunting 
with me, giving them my guns to carry, that I might 
make my way more quickly through the forest un¬ 
encumbered with weapons. After following a spoor 
with first-rate success for about an hour and a half, I 
came upon buffaloes, fired, and brought down a beautiful 
young cow. 
A little before this Mosilikatze, king of Matabele- 
land, died, and there was an interregnum before his 
successor could fill the throne. Mohr several times 
came across Lobengula (he calls him Lumpeiigula), who 
ultimately succeeded. He thus describes a visit paid 
him by the future king :— 
On the morning of the 6th of October I wanted to 
make an attempt to resume my march to the Mangwe, 
and had already begun harnessing the oxen when I 
suddenly saw a rider approaching followed by several 
spear-bearers. It was Lumpeiigula, the future king of 
the Matabeles, and it at once struck me that I should 
be asked for more presents; but in this I did the 
princely barbarian injustice, for he behaved with the 
greatest courtesy, expressing his deep regret that he 
had been unable to further my wishes, &c., and offering 
me two saddle-horses, as I was unmounted, to take me 
to the Mangwe. Some of his spearmen should go with 
me as an escort, and bring them back. 
I declined his kind offer, and presented him with two 
pounds of shot, half a pound of powder, and a box of 
matches. As we were dining together in my tent he 
noticed a gold medallion, containing a coloured portrait 
of my deceased mother, which I wore round my neck. 
