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about it in America, for example; and all those letters I had re- 

 ceived ! I did not let them see a thing, but nodded, put the paper 

 into my pocket and said, 'Oh well, now we are so far we can lunch 

 in Cape Town and go back early this afternoon.' Privately I de- 

 cided that I was going to make quite certain there that the message 

 really came from Dr. Malan. I looked down to see them both 

 grinning somewhat impishly, and this time knew at once what they 

 were up to and could cheerfully have killed them. They knew 

 full well that only Dr. Malan himself could have turned me back. 



10.35 a.m., Ysterplaats Airport. The Cape Commander-in- 

 Chief, Colonel Louis du Toit, and other officers were there to 

 meet us and a lorry with guards was ready for the Coelacanth. 

 Dr. Malan's compliments, and would we spend the day and lunch 

 with them, and a function had been arranged for tea-time with 

 numerous guests. So there was to be no return that day. 



To his partial disgust, William was left behind, but the promise 

 of looking at jet planes consoled him. We were soon at the Strand, 

 where we were warmly welcomed at their holiday home by Dr. 

 and Mrs. Malan. He can best be described as a grand old man, 

 greatly respected, admired, and loved by his people. No man can 

 ask more. She is a gracious and dignified woman whose life is 

 clearly centred on the care and service of this man. The bond 

 between them is almost tangible, and their home breathes serenity 

 and peace. Once formalities were over, refreshments were offered; 

 what would I have ? Prominent on the tray was a bottle of whisky. 

 Whisky for the Professor? When I said we did not use alcohol 

 except to preserve fish, there was something of a silence, then 

 laughter. The Malans take no alcohol, but when I was on the 

 way some discussion doubtless took place. The life I lead, going 

 to many remote and wild parts and enduring adventures I would 

 avoid if I could, has gained for me the reputation of being a 

 pretty tough person, and those who do not know my ways would 

 almost certainly credit me with a taste for whisky and strong 

 tobacco. I use neither, except cigarettes, and then only in our 

 work as bribes for fish or as presents, which is probably why my 

 relatively frail body is tough. Yes, whisky was clearly indicated 

 for this English Professor from Grahamstown, so as it is no light 

 undertaking even for a Prime Minister to get a bottle of whisky 

 early in the morning in South Africa in a place like the Strand, 



