44 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



convinced, be glad to give advice to any English gentle- 

 men; and the novice could not possibly be in better hands. 



I am not a bad-tempered man. I have travelled 

 much, am accustomed to roughing, and have had to 

 associate with all classes on terms of equality. The 

 Yankee horse and cattle dealer I deem smart; the 

 Canadian one smarter; but the Durban breed if those 

 I came in contact with are a fair sample are con- 

 founded swindlers. 



But, to leave the disagreeables, early one fine 

 morning we found ourselves on the top of a cart, with 

 four almost unbroken horses and a reckless but splendid 

 driver. By Jove ! it made my old heart young again to 

 note the pace we covered the ground. Accidents some- 

 times happen by this mode of conveyance : but, whether 

 or no, it is well worth the risk. My friend was in like 

 mind with myself; we chaffed and chatted, fed and 

 smoked, never tired of admiring the swelling, undulating 

 green hills and grander coppies. The country deserves 

 all praise, and its future must be great. The white- 

 necked ravens that sat so tamely on the roadside gave 

 us especial pleasure ; there was something so absurd in 

 sombre, sepulchral ravens, each possessing an exactly 

 similar white necktie. But the summit of our enthu- 

 siasm was reached when the last team was put in harness, 

 previous to dashing into Pieter-Maritzburg. Which 

 were the more thorough scoundrels, wheelers or leaders 

 for all kicked, feared, and bucked it would be hard 

 to tell; however, the Zulu boys at their heads hung 

 on to their respective charges till the word to let go 

 was given ; and the style in which we went down that 

 hill and over the next few miles of velt was simply 

 splendid. 



