“The sun was getting low as we inspanned. We soon came to a very bad place--a huge pit in fact--where the road had been, to avoid which we had to go through a very soft piece of ground, into which the waggon sank deep, and I thought it was a case of a regular stick, but Vincent got me out of this well, and showed his great superiority as a driver. We got over some bad places after this, but at length got into a heavy rut, the wheels on the off side of the waggon being deep in it, whilst those on the other side were high on firm ground. It looked like a serious case, and the sun set on our efforts. The dissel-boom was pulled out twice, but at length so firmly locked with chains, and the wheels raised so effectually with stones placed under them, that, when Vincent left his work, which he had been going at like the fine energetic fellow he is, and we sat down for a moment to drink a cup of coffee, the waggon looked like getting off. This it did without difficulty, and we started again about 10 P.M. We had one more stick afterwards in a deep rut, but Vincent levelled the ground in a few minutes, and we were off again, and finally crossed Mangwe drift without a mishap. This was the greatest feat of all. The river was full of water, the men were nearly up to their armpits (one crossed clinging to ‘Blackberg’s’ tail), but we went through it without any delay or trouble, and I was indeed thankful that our dissel-boom was chained. After this we trekked a short distance along a good road to John Lee’s. Here were Dawson’s two waggons sent up by Cruickshank, and Vincent’s waggon sent by Hogg. Skinner’s waggon was some little way off. Skinner and Dawson were waiting for the river to go down. We outspanned about 1.30 A.M., and had supper.” At this point Frank Oates remained a few days, hoping for some improvement in the weather. Soon after his arrival he wrote home as follows:-- “MR. JOHN LEE’S, MANGWE, “MATABELE COUNTRY. “_February 1st, 1874._