76 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



every nail of my fingers broken, and my hands blistered. 

 This was my state when I called on all to cease 

 their labour for a while. Chocolate was produced, in 

 which all participated, and to this I added a small 

 supply of tobacco. 



I felt that I had earned this rest, possibly never in 

 my life more so, and in proportion enjoyed it. But 

 what is that I hear ? the creaking of badly-greased 

 wheels ? Yes : about a mile off three wagons trecking 

 towards me come in sight. Truly grateful I felt, for 

 could any one, however callous, refuse to afford me 

 assistance ? 



Refilling my pipe, I took my seat on the bank 

 that margined the road, and patiently, no, impatiently, 

 waited their approach. Bullocks travel slowly these 

 appeared scarcely to crawl along ; fully half an hour 

 passed before the leading one was abreast of me. I 

 hailed its driver, and he halted, but to my disgust 

 he was a Boer who spoke not a word of English ; 

 nevertheless I pointed to our wagon, and poured out 

 a voluble history of my troubles : then he went and 

 got his gun, and there stood with it in his hand. This 

 move I could not understand. Soon he was joined by 

 his companions, one of whom spoke a few words of my 

 language; together ' we went and inspected the wreck, 

 but when I appealed for aid they significantly shook 

 their heads. 



I had heard that the Boer was sociable and loved 

 coffee. I ordered the latter to be made, and tendered 

 each a cup, and an unlimited quantity of sugar : good 

 sign they accepted my hospitality. The one who 

 spoke a little English, William by name, became more 

 garrulous, and an air of bonne camaraderie began to 



