UNGENTLEMANLY GENTLEMEN. 171 



But before we go further, let me revert to a dinner 

 given me by the members of the most clannish race on 

 the earth. In happening to speak of Holly, one of the 

 guests said, " I remember him well." Entering into a 

 description of his person, my acquaintance continued 

 ' ' He and a number of his companions who were engaged 

 in the Basuto war came up here ; as they had been 

 fighting in our cause, it was decided among the worthy 

 burghers that they should be entertained at a dinner, 

 and the finest public dinner that had ever been furnished 

 in Potschefstrom was provided in their honour. But 

 what do you think they did? After all had become 

 seated at the table, each of the guests seized a roast 

 duck and belaboured his neighbour with it. Disgraceful, 

 sir, most disgraceful ! In fact, I think that at my 

 office I can find a report of the matter, in which they 

 are characterised as the most ungentlemanly gentlemen 

 that ever visited Potschefstrom a severe stricture cer- 

 tainly, but deserved, as you will yourself admit." 



From what I knew of the hero of the " Eed, White, 

 and Blue," I quite believed that he was one of the "most 

 ungentlemanly gentlemen that ever visited Potschef- 

 strom." 



The canny Scot is a wily bird, not to be caught with 

 chaff, but the kindest-hearted being in the world if you 

 know how to take him. Klerksdorp was not on my 

 route, but I wished to go there, as two gentlemen of 

 that nationality had made it their home, so we turned 

 off to the left, and, although only distant from Potschef- 

 strom thirty miles, it took me four days to reach it. 

 This delay was caused by the man I had hired to go up 

 country with me. I am still under the impression that 

 he was employed by the person who recommended him 



