136 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



his treck-tow to the end of ours, and with a long pull 

 and a pull together, placed us on the opposite bank. 



This spruit was a very bad place, for, independent 

 of its abruptness, it was so marshy that the wheels 

 sunk many inches underneath the surface of the soil. 



Hendrick's wagon followed and got through without 

 casualty, but not without a hard struggle ; Pater was 

 less fortunate ; not only did he stick, but even with 

 the assistance of Hendrick's team he could not get 

 out, so the third team (ours) had to be put on, and even 

 then the cattle seemed to have a very difficult part to 

 perform. At last all were across ; we pushed up the 

 opposing bank, and after half an hour's treck halted 

 in front of a white farmhouse, with large cattle kraal 

 attached. 



We had scarcely done so when Morris came up ; 

 he had several ducks, the common species of this part 

 of the country (Querquedula Hottentota of Smith), which 

 are a handsome dark-brown colour, not distinguished 

 by any gaudy feathers, and about the size of our 

 widgeon. After a survey of the game I went over 

 to the house, which I found crowded with Boers, all 

 pretty well a on." As soon as I entered, the senior 

 of the party asked me to drink with him, which I 

 did, driver William acting as interpreter. No sooner, 

 however, had I finished the first glass, than another 

 requested me to repeat the operation. I hate to refuse 

 hospitality, for certainly this was meant as such, and 

 I drank again ; but when a third insisted that I should 

 have a glass at his expense, I was compelled to refuse. 

 Flesh and blood can stand a great deal, but not much 

 bad Hollands. These men were keeping New Year, 

 the great holiday, with them, of the twelve months. 



