180 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



grew a quantity of prickly pears ; as I could have no 

 other fruit, and it is almost a necessary of life to me, 

 for want of better, Jacob and I commenced to gather 

 them. , 



I was enjoying my supper about sunset, TJmganey 

 was waiting on me, and Jacob was polishing out the 

 pot the driver's perquisite when two very pretty 

 children, respectively about twelve and ten years of age, 

 came up to the encampment, bearing between them a 

 heavy and large basket. It was filled to overflow with 

 fruit, the top layer consisting of enormous bunches of 

 delicious grapes. 



The oldest child spoke in Dutch. Jacob stood by 

 to interpret. " These are for the Englander not for 

 money." 



"But ask the child who sent them," said I to 

 Jacob which question resulted in my discovering that 

 the good-looking woman whom I had seen bathing her 

 feet was the donor. 



I happened to have some bottles of candies, acidu- 

 lated drops, &c., in the wagon-box, laid in for exactly 

 such occasions, so I gave my charming young visitors a 

 liberal supply, and the happy little creatures went off 

 home perfectly delighted with their present ; for the 

 Boers are wonderfully fond of sweets, and they are so 

 expensive, on account of the distance they have to be 

 carried, that they are beyond the means of very few. 



The lads and myself enjoyed very much the welcome 

 gift ; and as they had had a hard day of it for from 

 Klerksdorp to Hartebeestfontein is a long day's journey 

 I made up my mind to be liberal, and give each a 

 glass of grog when Jacob got his ration issued. As 

 usual on such occasions, Master Jim kept us all in good 



