THE CAPE EXPRESS 



trucks were too long, and every time the driver put on 

 the brake or made a fresh start we were thrown all 

 over the van. 



At one stopping-place a most elaborate coffin was 

 put in, and no sooner did the driver start his engine 

 than I went sprawUng over this beautifully painted 

 and decorated coffin, smashing my glasses. 



At the next stopping-place five stalwart negroes 

 claimed the coffin and bore it away with much pride. 

 In Central Africa the natives have not yet reached that 

 stage of civilisation which prescribes an elaborate 

 coffin for the body of the dead. Besides, the hyena 

 there solves the difficulties of the coffin-maker, the 

 grave-digger and the monument builder. 



II 



The Cape Express picked me up and I journeyed 

 on. You feel you have not seen South Africa unless 

 you have been down a gold mine and a diamond mine, 

 so this meant a stop at Kimberley and Johannesburg. 

 Then onwards to Bulawayo, built on the kraal of 

 Lobengula, and one of the most up-to-date and 

 beautifully-constructed places in Africa. Cecil Rhodes 

 used to make a Sunday outing to what is now known 

 as the " World's View," and this is where he now lies 

 buried in the solid rock. At the top huge boulders 



249 



