80 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



looked crest-fallen. Again the principal Dutchman 

 was called out; suspecting that all was not right, 

 I followed him in a second or two, and discovered 

 that my surmises were correct, for in the yard, in 

 the rear of the hotel, a young man, aged about eight- 

 and-twenty, was threatening him. In a moment I 

 was between them, gave the blackguard in the plainest 

 language to understand that I knew what his motives 

 were, and carried the Boer back with me. 



When we returned to the wagons, I saw that the 

 intimidation had produced its effect; that the Boers 

 were arrant cowards was apparent, and fear was acting 

 powerfully upon them. Some more ardent spirits loosed 

 William's tongue, and he distinctly told me that the 

 Englishmen in the village more properly hamlet had 

 threatened to beat them without mercy if they helped 

 us. As I knew that a cattle-dealer who had offered 

 at Maritzburg to supply me with oxen at a most 

 exorbitant price lived here, I could have no doubt that 

 he spoke the truth. However, we assured them that we 

 were well armed, and would stick to them through 

 thick and thin ; that they had but to drive, and we 

 would do the fighting ; and that, mounted on our horses, 

 we would not be away from them for a moment if 

 danger threatened. 



The cattle at length were yoked, all was ready for 

 the start. I buckled on my revolver, and took my rifle; 

 my friend carried his ; and, 'mid some groans and hoots 

 from unseen persons, the Boers in front, our wagon 

 bringing up the rear, we descended the incline, crossed 

 the river on the neat little suspension bridge, and com- 

 menced the ascent of the opposite hills. 



These hills were very steep wagon after wagon 



