HOW LOBENGULA DIED.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 2, Issue 124, 24 April 1895, Page 3

HOW LOBENGULA DIED.

A correspondent writing to a South African contemporary supplies what ho states is the true story of the death of the great Matabele chief Lobengula : —' Lobengula, suffering from Binall-pox, worn out by his long flight, disappointed in his hope of peace, and altogether broken down by the loss of his country, his power, and possessions, came to a halt at last among the mountains north of the Shangani river. Here he begged his witch doctor to give him poison with which to end his life, but the man refused. The despairing chief went up a hill to the foot of the crag which tops it, and sitting there he gazed for a long time at the sun as it slowly sank towards the west. Then descending, he again demanded poison of his doctor, and insisted, till finally it was given him. Once more ascending the slope, he seated himself against the krantz, took the poison, and gazed at .the setting sun, stolidily awaiting the death which presently put an end to his sufferings and his Mood-stained life. There iB something pathetic and grand in tie piclure. Xt i» the last scene of the great epic, the conquest of Matabeleland. His followers found him seated there in death, and, piling stones and rocks round him, they left him. Whether he was placed in his royal chair, flanked by guns and covered over with his blankets and other possessions, as described in the South African Keview, I know not. All this may be true, and also that a palisade of tree trunks was planted round the spot, but I give the story as I heard it, and believe that, as it emanates from Mr Dawson, it is the correct one.'