62 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



sions to the highest bidders. Thus many a well-fitted- 

 out and costly expedition has been ruined before, and 

 doubtless many a one will be in time to come. When at 

 Maritzburg, a message was sent me by a Mr. May, to say 

 that he and friend were almost ready for the road, and as 

 their wagon was light they would overtake us in a day 

 or two ; but we never heard of them again. In fact, I 

 have reason to believe that they broke down almost 

 before they started. These harpies that here retard the 

 stranger believe they have a right, conferred on them by 

 residence in the country, of fitting out every wagon 

 starting for the interior, so if the traveller does not 

 buy from them his oxen, engage from them his people, 

 the only chance they see of bleeding him is to throw 

 such obstacles in his way as to cause him to be dis- 

 gusted, and in a fit of spleen throw the whole thing up. 



It may very justly be asked how the missionaries, 

 whose funds are generally very limited, manage to reach 

 their up-country stations. The answer is simple. In 

 South Africa the missionary societies are very powerful. 

 At the sea-ports from whence their emissaries start, 

 they have droves of well-broken cattle, or know where 

 to procure them ; have , numerous tried and faithful 

 drivers and forelopers, so that the young aspirant to 

 the honour of converting the heathen steps into his 

 wagon as a gentleman into his carriage. " Amaga, 

 treck" shouts the driver, crack goes the big whip, and 

 off they go. I do not mean for a moment to imply that 

 these good men do not have troubles ; but these do not 

 occur till they have proceeded far on into the interior. 



However, to return. I had resolved that on I would 

 go, in spite of all the apparently insurmountable diffi- 

 culties that barred my path; but the delay and worry 



