THE DIAMOND FIELDS. 11 



excitement, of course. In 1869, a Hottentot shepherd, named Swartzboy, brought to a 

 country store a gem of 83 carats. The shopman, in his master's absence, did not like to 

 risk the 200 worth of goods demanded. Swartzboy passed on to the farm of one Niekirk, 

 where he asked, and eventually got, 400. Niekirk sold it for 12,000 the same day! 

 Now, of course, the excitement became a fevered frenzy. 



Supreme among the camps around Pniel reigned Mr. President Parker, a sailor who, 

 leaving the sea, had turned trader. Mr. Parker, with his counsellors, were absolute in 

 power, and, all in all, administered justice very fairly. Ducking in the river was the 

 mildest punishment; the naval "cat" came next; while dragging through the river was 

 the third grade ; last of all came the " spread eagle," in which the culprit was extended 

 flat, hands and feet staked down, and so exposed to the angry sun. 



In a short time, the yield from the various fields was not under 300,000 per month, 

 and claims were sold at hundreds and thousands of pounds apiece. Then came a time of 

 depression, when the dealers would not buy, or only at terribly low prices. Meantime, 

 although meat was always cheap, everything else was very high. A cabbage, for example, 

 often fetched 10s., a water-melon 15s., and onions and green figs a shilling apiece. Forage 

 for horses was half-a-crown a bundle of four pounds. To-day they are little higher on the 

 Fields than in other parts of the Colony. 



That a number of diggers have made snug little piles, ranging from two or three to eight, 

 ten, or more thousand pounds, is undeniable, but they were very exceptional cases, after 

 all. The dealers in diamonds, though, often turned over immense sums very rapidly. 



And now, before taking our leave of the African station, let us pay a flying visit 

 to Natal, which colony has been steadily rising of late years, and which offers many 

 advantages to the visitor and settler. The climate, in spite of the hot sirocco which 

 sometimes blows over it, and the severe thunderstorms, is, all in all, superior to most of 

 the African climates, inasmuch as the rainfall is as nearly as possible that of London, and 

 it falls at the period when most wanted at the time of greatest warmth and most 

 active vegetation. The productions of Natal are even more varied than those of the Cape, 

 while arrowroot, sugar, cotton, and Indian corn are staple articles. The great industries 

 are cattle and sheep-rearing, and, as in all parts of South Africa, meat is excessively 

 cheap, retailing at threepence or fourpence a pound. 



Natal was discovered by Vasco da Gama, and received from him the name of Terra 

 Natalis "Land of the Nativity" because of his arriving on Christmas Day. Until 1823 

 it was little known or visited. A settlement was then formed by a party of Englishmen, 

 who were joined by a number of dissatisfied Dutchmen from the Cape. In 1838 the 

 British Government took possession. There was a squabble, the colonists being somewhat 

 defiant for a while, and some little fighting ensued. It was proposed by the settlers to 

 proclaim the Republic of Natalia, but on the appearance of a strong British force, they 

 subsided quietly, and Natal was placed under the control of the Governor of the Cape. 

 In 1856, it was erected into a separate colony. 



To moderate capitalists it offers many advantages. Land is granted on the easiest 

 terms, usually four shillings per acre ; and free grants are given, in proportion to a settler's 

 capital : 500 capital receives a land order for 200 acres. An arrowroot plantation and 



