SUFFERING FROM AN ATTACK OF GNATS. 141 



verted into a black man, but rushed into my clothes, 

 seized my pipe, and hurried to the highest ground I 

 could find, and on a higher than it the summit of an 

 ant-hill I sat down and thought and thought how 

 weak we were when a few midges could tickle us so. 

 So great was my affection for my friend that I never 

 thought of seeing what he did or how he was getting 

 on ; I had too much regard for his feelings to disturb 

 him when suffering from human weakness. 



Aurora's car was about to enter the east when 

 William, the faithful and tried henchman, approached his 

 lord and master, and after making a respectful obeisance, 

 informs him that the enemy during the night had made 

 a descent and carried off all his lordship's cattle, which, 

 at the present moment, were being conveyed to the 

 pound at Harrismith. 



" Zounds, varlet, you lie ! " 



" No, Bass, I speak the truth." 



" Order my horse to be saddled and marshal my 

 followers ; begone ! do my bidding." 



I rushed to the wagon, pulled on my boots, buckled on 

 my long sword, saddle, bridle or, rather, took my rifle, 

 shoved a revolver into the holsters, and was about to 

 jump into the saddle, when an emissary of the foe 

 arrived to say the cattle would be released on payment 

 of two pounds sterling, although they had eaten over 

 an acre of mealies. The money was paid, the cattle 

 were returned, and I rejoiced that I was prevented from 

 shedding blood. 



