FRUIT IN PLENTY, BUT NOT FOR ME. 179 



every direction, while domestic fowls appeared to be 

 innumerable. 



Taking Jacob with me, I strolled through the 

 village. He spoke Dutch well, English fairly. Our 

 first effort was to find a shop ; we discovered two, but 

 both were shut up at least, no amount of hammering 

 brought either owner or employe. 



This was unfortunate, as several things were wanted. 

 However, they might be open in the morning. In the 

 meantime we would go and buy some fruit. Crossing 

 the green, we found two ox -wagons loaded with it. I 

 told Jacob to get a bushel or so, and make the best 

 bargain he could. It was no use ; all his efforts were 

 unavailing : they would not part with any. I told 

 Jacob to make a higher offer. No ; they did not wish 

 to sell, and to give away they were not inclined. And 

 during all this time dozens of oranges and apples were 

 rolling off on to the ground, and being greedily de- 

 voured by the pigs. It was very trying, but what was 

 to be done ? 



We left these inhospitable people, and walked 

 towards the wagon. Near the corner of the road was 

 a splendid orchard. I looked over the fence, and there 

 was a really good-looking white woman sitting on a 

 plank over the stream, bathing her feet in the water. 

 She might have been about thirty, and certainly belonged 

 to the better class. Jacob spoke to her requested her 

 to sell us fruit stated how urgently we required 

 it, &c. &c. She dangled her feet in the stream, 

 never altered her position, but refused to sell what we 

 wanted. 



This perverseness made me feel quite cross, so I 

 went my way anything but rejoicing. By the roadside 

 M 2 



