SUPERSTITION AMONG THE BOERS. 177 



it, " Here is the equator. You see where the equator 

 is, don't you? Well, the fools expect to find that 

 the Nile rises on this side of it ; but how on earth can 

 men with common sense believe that water will run 

 uphill ? Well, these Englanders are the greatest fools ; 

 what say you ? " 



And all agreed with him. 



The Boers are also very superstitious, and believe 

 sincerely in witch-doctors, sorcerers, et hoc genus omne. 

 What I am going to tell will scarcely be credited, but 

 still it is true. Carl E-ous's brother got sick very ill 

 indeed, the fact being that he was so miserly that he 

 denied himself the necessaries of life. He sent for me 

 to come and see him, which I did in the company of 

 Mr. Leask. I saw at once that the man was absolutely 

 starving himself, and my companion agreed in my views. 

 In consequence I ordered him chicken broth, wine, 

 &c. &c. But no, he would not be so extravagant, he 

 was a poor man ; and all other excuses such as men like 

 he would make were urged by this rich Boer. 



Getting weaker, he called in an old hag of a Kaffir 

 woman, who was supposed to possess supernatural 

 power. After feeling his arms and legs, looking in his 

 eyes, casting the bones, and going through a variety 

 of absurdities, she gave him a prescription, which of 

 course did the wretched man no earthly good. 



About ten on a Monday morning I left Klerksdorp. 

 Jacob, Mr. Leask's driver, wielded the whip, Umganey 

 foreloped, and Jim followed in rear leading the 

 horse. 



To simplify matters, and as much as possible to 

 remove chances of obstacles, I had purchased six new 

 seasoned oxen, in good working condition. Thus 

 M 



