216 THE HUNTER'S ARCADIA. 



alone injured himself, which was, an excessive 

 attachment to intoxicants. When we were in the 

 veldt, however, he was unable to gratify his cravings 

 for the demon, spirits, so that it seldom happened 

 that I saw him under its influence. 



I had for some time looked forward to Cigar 

 joining me, and now that I had reached the country in 

 which I might at any moment encounter large game, 

 I did not feel disposed to defer sending him the 

 necessary information, that I was so close at hand. 

 So, armed with a split stick, in which was fastened 

 a letter, and provided with a small sum of money 

 to liquidate any trifling debt that the Hottentot might 

 owe to his adjoining trader, I started off a runner 

 with orders to make a speedy journey, and not to 

 presume to again look me in the face unless the 

 redoubted Cigar was with him. 



This runner had 130 miles to travel before per- 

 forming my commission, yet he trotted off on his 

 errand as good-naturedly, as if about to carry a note to 

 a neighbour's farm not more than a few miles distant. 



o 



If nothing occurred to impede this messenger, I 

 confidently expected to see him back in seven days ; 

 good travelling, all must agree with me, for a person 

 not in training. 



