Through Matabeleland: the record of a ten months' trip in an ox-wagon through Mashonaland and Matabeleland
Year: 1893
Type: book
Abstract: MATABELELANDthousand head of cattle, and induced them for the future, and for excellent reasons, to observe the command " Thou shaltnot steal."Of course Mankoroane is thoroughly discon- tented and wishes independence, but this is now impossible.Taungs is one of the few places where there is no place of worship for Europeans.Shops are open on Sundays, and there is a comfortable place of accommodation for travellers kept by Levi Brothers.It is a curious fact that we found provisions and supplies cheaper here than at Grahamstown, in consequence of the drawback on customs duty granted to Bechuanaland.On we go over this great level country.Oxen travel at the rate of three miles an hour, and each "trek" lasts three hours ; then there is a rest.We are now on a rough stony road and the waggon is shaken very much, so we are not sorry when we enter Vryburg, the chief town and .seat of Govern- ment of Bechuanaland.There are a few good stone buildings here, and it is noticeable that THROUGH MATABELELAND were forced to drink or go without.We had terrible trouble in this part of the road, and felt the more annoyed as our conductor could have avoided them if he had taken Lieutenant Dunn's advice, and gone another road.At one place the waggon sank up to the axles, and we had determined to off load and carry everything to the top of a hill, but fortunately assistance came and we were extricated ; our excellent oxen pulled us through.At the next stage we found a good supply of wood and water, and then were told that we had to push on for forty miles to " Mangwato " or Shoshong before we could reach water.Abundance of game surrounded us on our trek.These com- prised, among others, wildebeest (brindled gnu), koodoo, and guinea-fowl, but the pasturage on the borders of the Kalahari is poor, and the country seems only fit for Bushmen and snakes.We are now in Khama's country, and come across several Bushmen, men, women, * This was the origin of the celebrated British South Africa Company.
Authors: Joseph Garbett Wood, Russell E. Train Africana Collection (Smithsonian Libraries)
Language: English
Subfield: History
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W584276943