CHAPTEE XVI. 



FRIENDS IN NEED. 



A Lazy Driver Reminiscences of Holly Suspicions of Underhand Conduct 

 Crossing a River At Klerksdorp My Novel-reading Servant Bolts Kind 

 Friends Half a Day's Shooting Two Hyaenas done for A Driver is 

 Lent to me The Boers at Klerksdorp The Brothers Rous Immense 

 Foolishness of the English Mr. Rous on Nile Explorations Superstitions 

 of the Boer A Witch called in The Prettiest Village in South Africa 

 Abundance of Fruit Well-conditioned Porkers A Look Round Fruit 

 not to had for Love or Money A Good-looking Woman Irritating in- 

 hospitality A Present of Fruit A Return Gift of Sweets " Jim a good 

 Boy " Jim Decamps The other Boys assert their Innocence Deserted by 

 all my Attendants save one My Lecture to Umganey A Lady Visitor 

 I decline to pursue Jim. 



WHAT I thought, or what I did not think, in my lone- 

 liness is not to the purpose. I went to work : unloaded 

 the wagon, and sent it round to the blacksmith's shop 

 for repairs ; also turned out every case to learn the better 

 what could be dispensed with, and so lighten the load, 

 for it was necessary that I should have as few impedi- 

 menta as possible. 



For two days I toiled without ceasing, and on the 

 third was ready for commencing the journey. A firm 

 of merchants advised me to engage some one speaking 

 English who was conversant with the country north, as 

 without a companion I should certainly go melancholy 

 mad. Not wishing to go melancholy mad, I engaged 

 a man they recommended. This fellow, who was to 

 drive, to look after the cattle, to provide game when 

 necessary, did absolutely nothing but lie on his back 

 in the wagon, smoke, and read novels. 



