x* oa 



CHAPTER V. 



FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



Holly joins Us On the Look-out for a Coaster Our Plans Altered We pur- 

 chase a Wagon A Visit to Rondebosch and Constantia A. Private Garden 

 South African Pick-me-up not to be recommended Adieu to Cape Town 

 We reach Port Elizabeth A Funny Lot of Visitors The Poundmaster 

 exposed Port Elizabeth The Florence East London ts Dangerous 

 Roadstead First Sight of Game Arrival at Port Durban Its Bar A 

 Day Lost in Sight of Land Preparing for Our Journey Port Durban 

 The Upper and Middle Classes The "Smart" Men of Durban A Splendid 

 Ride The Best Drivers in the World. 



HOLLY, who had become wonderfully attached to Morris 

 and myself, insisted on joining us in our trip up country ; 

 he could speak Dutch, and professed to be an expert in 

 the management and driving of cattle, two accom- 

 plishments we might find more than useful. As he was 

 really not a bad fellow, and neither of us could resist 

 his appeals for, after all, we could urge nothing against 

 him but his thirstiness, and it struck us forcibly that 

 the Great Thirst Land was, of all places in the world, 

 the one most likely to suit his complaint we consented, 

 on the condition that he promised faithfully and soberly 

 to perform his task. Again, it was a great advantage 

 to have a third white man with us, who would take 

 charge of the wagon at night, if Morris and myself were 

 detained shooting at water, or had gone so far in pursuit 

 of game during the day as to be unable to return to our 

 ^encampment. Again, he was a stalwart, powerful man, un- 

 questionably brave, and accustomed for years to velt-life. 



