160 SOUTH AFRICA. 



content to chat over matters in a friendly way, 

 and after accepting a " soupie " of smoke passed on 

 to their distant post. All was then plain sailing 

 enough, although the remainder of the journey 

 was performed in a tremendous thunderstorm, in 

 the midst of which we reached a Kaffir outpost, 

 where we met with hospitable welcome and re- 

 cruited by a twelve-hours' rest before leaving for 

 the Chief's kraal. 



If any gentleman is curious to know the exact 

 condition of his nerves, and has the opportunity 

 of travelling through a hostile country at the rate 

 of two miles an hour, with his little " all " stowed 

 in two lumbering ox waggons likely enough to 

 smash up at any moment, I strongly advise him 

 not to neglect the opportunity, especially if he is 

 in the act of breaking his parole. 



At Mafeking we were received by Mr. Bethill 

 and the Chief most kindly, and here we encamped 

 till the news of the English defeat arrived. 



To describe the rage and shame, caused by the 

 surrender insisted on by Mr. Gladstone, through- 

 out South Africa is beyond my powers. I am by 

 no means an excitable man, but I must confess that 

 on this occasion I could not help giving way to a 



