FISH RIVER DRIFT. 57 



down these walls, and clearing a channel through the 

 mud, before a wagon could take the drift. Accordingly, 

 the work being -considerable, I thought the sooner we 

 set about it the better ; so, having cooked and partaken 

 of a hot tiffin, we cast loose the pickaxes, spades, and 

 shovels, stripped to our shirts, and, half wading, half 

 swimming, succeeded in crossing the river, where, hav- 

 ing labored hard till sundown, and constructed a famous 

 piece of road, we considered our task on that side as 

 completed. Early on the following morning we re- 

 sumed our labors on our side of the river, and about 10 

 A.M. our path was finished. A party of Boers now 

 hove in sight with three wagons, which they outspan- 

 ned on the opposite bank, and drove their oxen into the 

 neighboring hills to graze. Presently observing us pre- 

 paring to inspan, they beckoned to me to hold a confer- 

 ence with them across the stream, the object of which 

 was to endeavor to dissuade me from taking the drift 

 until their oxen should return, under pretense of assist- 

 ing us, but, in reality, fearing that we would stick fast, 

 and that they should be forced to assist us, since, in 

 the event of our was^on sticking before their oxen came 

 up, they would be unable to pass us until we were ex- 

 tricated. I saw the move with half an eye, and in- 

 stantly ordered my men to inspan with all possible dis- 

 patch ; when we got safely through the river and up 

 the opposite bank, which was much more than I had 

 anticipated. 



It was a fearful pull for the poor oxen ; the wagon 

 stuck fast three times, and was within a hair's breadth 

 of being upset. The water just came up to the bottom 

 boards, but, fortunately, did not wet any part of the 

 cargo. The Boers seemed much surprised at the suc- 

 cess of our venture, as they always entertain thii idea 



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