UNLOADING THE WAGON. 75 



do it. It is better that such a chase did not take 

 place, for under excitement even the best and most 

 long-enduring may do, in the might of their wrath 

 and strength, what may cause regrets for many years to 

 come, possibly even for life. How hard it is to bear 

 the insolence of an employe, the wilful destruction of 

 our property, and the almost total ruin of the plans 

 we had made, and come thousands of miles to execute, 

 I know ; and, further, to see the large amount of money 

 invested in an anticipated and longed-for pleasure thrown 

 to the dogs, is very trying. But it is best, where law 

 exists, never to take it into your own hands, and after 

 all this blackguard was only a tool in the service of 

 others, although doubtless a willing one. 



After breakfast, for we had not yet eaten, Morris, at 

 my request, took the big horse and started for Mooi 

 Eiver (Natal), where it was known that a blacksmith 

 resided, to get a new skimmel-pm, and, if in his power, 

 to obtain assistance, and to be as quick as it was possible 

 for the ugly stumbling brute to carry him the distance 

 both ways to be traversed being probably thirteen or 

 fourteen miles, he would be with me soon after mid- 

 day. I took off my coat and waistcoat, and earnestly 

 went to work to unload the wagon, for well I knew that 

 the box could never be put in its place unless every 

 article in the fore part was removed. Independently of 

 this, the floor in front of the box must be cleared to 

 allow the new pin to be placed in its proper position. 



Unremittingly we worked for about two hours, and 

 by that time had unloaded the greater portion of the 

 cargo ; still several of the heaviest boxes remained to 

 be removed, and the sun was powerful indeed. My 

 clothes were torn, my body bathed in perspiration, and 



