King Lobengula, increasingly harassed by concession seekers, hunters and gold diggers, all camped for months around his capital in the hope of getting an audience, finally decides it might be worth allying himself to the British - provided they could grant him what he needed most.

King Lobengula’s capital guBuluwayo - the ruins of which can be seen today near State House. On the right, King Lobengula increasingly besieged by impatient Europeans, decides to will talk to Charles Rudd. Photos: Zimfieldguide.com