FIRST YEARS IN SOUTH AFRICA. 21 



On and around this farm black gnus and spring- 

 buck grazed in thousands on the plains ; among 

 the mountains rhebuck and klipspringer were to 

 be had ; leopards and hyaenas added to its sporting 

 charms ; and bustards of various species, francolin, 

 and quail abounded. Whilst there I longed to 

 explore the then mysterious interior, and in due 

 time, well equipped with waggons, draught oxen, 

 horses, and all necessaries, crossed the Orange 

 River, beyond which, to unknown distances, native 

 rule or misrule prevailed in all directions. Little 

 Boer Republics in an embryonic and tentative 

 condition, in the territories now known as the 

 Orange Free State and Transvaal, were in course 

 of incubation ; here and there small parties of 

 leather-breeched, semi-nomadic whites were to 

 be met with, and, if possible, " passed by " by any 

 one at all sensitive in the matter of dirt and rags. 

 Missionary stations, too, were pushing onwards, 

 and, to my great surprise, the Gospellic adven- 

 turers in charge, instead of being, as I had been 

 led to suppose from glancing at some of their 

 literature, overworked and underfed crossbearers, 

 were enjoying a good deal more of leisure and 

 comfort than people of their class could have 

 attained to at home. 



