A PAYING TOLL-BAB. 121 



fully, I have tried to approach them by getting below 

 to the point whither they were apparently drifting'; 

 but, when my motive was perceived, they would alter 

 their course, and pursue a new one with a tolerably 

 strong flight. 



It is most amusing to see two of the male birds 

 fight : from the tops of neighbouring reeds they dash 

 at each other, and ascend twenty or thirty yards, 

 struggling with beak and claws, the two tails getting 

 so mixed, that you might expect, after the manoeuvre 

 is over, the one to ask the other which tail is which. 

 The hen, on the other hand, is a demure little brown 

 thing, scarcely as large as our hen sparrow, and 

 quite as humble in plumage. Their nest is built in 

 reeds, and, although larger, has much resemblance to 

 a sedge warbler's. Erroneously it is called in this part 

 of the country by those who speak English widahfinch. 



At the appointed hour that evening we trecked, 

 Hendrick having brought back his two oxen, but so low 

 in flesh are they, that I very much doubt the possibility 

 of their carrying their carcases to Potschefstrom. An 

 hour and a half after starting we passed through a toll- 

 gate the division between the British colony of Natal 

 and the Free State. Here was levied such a sum for 

 permission to pass, as to induce the victim to wish he 

 had the privilege of keeping a similar establishment, and 

 pocketing all the proceeds. Our next outspanning-place 

 is Harrismith ; in an hour and a half we should be there, 

 but that we are delayed in getting the rough grey- 

 hound, Bob, to leave go his hold of a very large hog he 

 had pinned by the ear. The whole performance was 

 absurdly ridiculous. Bob saw the pig, and coolly, 

 without the slightest exertion or attempt at speed, 



