SPRINGBOK SHOOTING. 



Groote River, where the banks are deep and almost 

 perpendicular, and where, on our way to Naroekas, 

 we had nearly come to grief in an exceedingly dark 

 night, we at length entered upon the eastern edge 

 of the Great Karroo, upon the flat surface and 

 improved roads of which we bowled merrily along. 

 We had but one short outspan on the veldt for 

 lunch, and then proceeding, arrived at Riet Fontein, 

 our destination, in the afternoon. Here we were 

 heartily welcomed, and after coffee we were shown 

 round the very extensive kraals and farm buildings. 

 Riet Fontein, like many another Karroo farm, lies 

 shadeless far out on the heath-like plains, where 

 are daily pastured many thousands of sheep and 

 goats. The name of our entertainer Mr. J. 

 B. Evans,* " of Riet Fontein " is so widely known 

 throughout the Colony, as that of a successful 

 and enterprising pastoral farmer, and one of the 

 earliest introducers of Angora goats, that I may be 

 excused for mentioning it. Mr. Evans, as is well 

 known, has done, probably, more towards the 

 successful introduction of Angoras than any other 

 man, and he has even visited Asia Minor for the 

 purpose of obtaining the purest strains of this breed. 

 Having inspected the horses and ostriches, of which 

 latter great numbers stalked solemnly about in their 

 enclosed "camps," we strolled down to the dam 

 to see the vast herds of sheep and goats come, in 

 charge of Kaffir herd boys, for their evening drink, 

 before being kraaled for the night. A beautiful and 

 truly Eastern sight it was, to see the different flocks 

 coming in in thousands from their long day on the 



* Recently deceased, to the great regret of all who knew him. 



