ver, rose to take my leave and return to the wagon, I was imperiously
ordered to stop. Upon resuming my seat I was thanked by the king in a
somewhat perfunctory, half-hearted way for what I had done; but he added
that my revelations had so upset him that he found it impossible to
tolerate my presence in his country any longer, and he therefore begged
me so to arrange matters that I could resume my journey that same
afternoon. Naturally, I remonstrated against such discourteous
treatment, reminding His Majesty that although the revelation was
certainly mine, the evil-doing was Machenga's; and I wound up by saying
that, so far from expecting to be expelled from the country, I had
confidently reckoned upon being granted a concession to mine gold in
Mashonaland. But it was all of no avail; it was through me that the
upset had occurred, therefore out I must go--escorted by an impi, the
induna of which would receive instructions to see that I did not unduly
loiter on the way. And, as to gold, if I wanted that, the king strongly
advised me to go to the Bandokolo country, far away to the north, where
I would doubtless be able to obtain as much of the metal as I needed.
After generously giving me this piece of valuable advice His Majesty
curtly dismissed me, with the intimation that I must be prepared to
start in the equivalent of two hours' time--or take the consequences of
my disobedience. Upon which I, in turn, got angry, and, having told the
king one or two plain truths in distinctly undiplomatic language, bade
him an abrupt farewell and hastened back to the wagon.

We were quite ready to make a start, even to the extent of having the
oxen inspanned, by the time that the escorting impi put in an
appearance; and when it did I was thankful to discover that it was
commanded by my friend Mapela.

"Au, Chia'gnosi!" the old chap exclaimed, as the impi halted and
saluted, with great heartiness; "so thou art ready. It is well; for the
Great, Great One is in an evil temper, and his face is black toward thee
because thou hast spoiled the festival: therefore it will be good for
thee to withdraw thyself from before his eyes as soon as possible.
Which way go ye--forward or backward?"

"I go forward, Mapela," I replied. "I came to this country in the hope
of obtaining gold, and gold I must have; therefore I am going forward to
the country of the Bandokolo, where, so your king tells me, gold is to
be obtained in great abundance."