WILLIAM "OVERCOME." 137 



But here their kindness did not terminate : there 

 was a grand party going on at a house four or five 

 miles farther along the road, in consequence of a marriage 

 that had taken place, and to this we were cordially 

 invited ; and as an inducement to accept the invitation, 

 we were informed that a young English lady was one 

 of the guests. I gave a conditional promise, for I did 

 not know how Morris would feel on the subject, and 

 without him I was resolved not to go. However, all 

 the Boers immediately afterwards assembled outside 

 on horseback, ranged themselves in a line across the 

 road, like a troop of cavalry, and giving a war-whoop, 

 started for the scene of rejoicings as fast as spur and 

 whip would make their steeds go. 



Poor William had drunk with every one, On our 

 numerous good qualities he largely expatiated : we were 

 so fond of him we loved him like a brother without 

 him we never could have crossed the Drackenberg 

 and we most assuredly should come to see the English 

 young lady. This was all well enough ; but when I 

 had to assist William no light weight and with the 

 help of Hendrick and Pater hoist him on the wagon- 

 box, I thought the jocular part was played out. 



The road was straight, the track well defined; so 

 with Umganey foreloping, and myself on the box with 

 a powerful jambock to control the after-cattle, we got 

 on so-so. William was a long time attacked with a 

 musical furore : foreign songs appeared his forte, but 

 in his list I could neither recognise "Die Wacht am 

 Bhein," "Partant pour la Syrie," nor the " Marseillaise ;" 

 however, he appeared to have a very extensive repertoire. 

 After completing his musical performance he became 

 loquacious gave me a slight sketch of his antecedents 



