86 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



outspan at the first water, and have as good a meal as 

 I can produce and cook." 



Morris here joined me, and hoth had a capital laugh 

 at my expense ; which they were perfectly welcome to, 

 more' particularly as I thought it would raise the latter's 

 spirits, and thus do him good. 



Possibly the reader would like to know who the 

 gentleman was : there are few who don't know his 

 father Sir John Bennett, the well-known watchmaker. 

 The last time I had seen Jack was three years 

 before, on a raw autumnal morning, at Ludgate Hill 

 Station. His cousin and I were bound for the lower 

 portion of the Chesapeake Bay, to live on oysters, 

 canvass -back ducks, terrapins, and the numerous good 

 things that prolific region produces, while he spoke of 

 a European tour, possibly to extend to Constantinople. 



Arriving at Howick two or three days after our 

 departure, Jack had followed me over a hundred 

 miles. All along the route he learned of our advance, 

 and at Mooi River heard me abused to such an extent 

 that he was nearly coming to blows in my defence. 

 So we outspanned, and discussed old friends and places 

 visited together ; it was truly a right pleasant meeting. 

 As he was not tied for time, after our meal we 

 travelled forward for our next resting-place, near Bush- 

 man's Eiver ; but we had not completed half the 

 journey when another party was reported in pursuit. 

 We called a halt, to let them come up ; and who should 

 they prove to be but Mr. Prefer, of the hotel at Maritz- 

 burg, Captain Gregory, whom Morris and I had enjoyed 

 many an hour with, and shades of the departed ! 

 Holly. I certainly long thought we had got rid of 

 him. My comrade and I had congratulated ourselves 



