CONSEQUENCES OF BEING A GOOD SOY. 183 



Zulu." And, as the lad spoke, his good-natured coun- 

 tenance became quite sad. 



Soon after I had a visit from the lady who sent 

 the fruit, accompanied by her two handsome children. 

 Jacob informed her of the desertion of Jim ; she im- 

 mediately counselled my seeing, the Field-cornet, whom 

 she would send one of the children for. This official 

 soon put in an appearance ; knew that Jim had passed 

 through the village in the morning, and had taken the 

 Diamond-fields road, and was no doubt travelling with 

 some wagons that had passed en route to Griqua Land 

 West. He would have him back by this time to-morrow, 

 have him well flogged, &c., all for seven dollars, the 

 money to be paid in advance. 



At first I felt inclined to listen to this proposal. I 

 thought with what pleasure I should take the scoundrel 

 by the ear, and remind him that Jim is a good boy ; but 

 after consideration, a knowledge that I could not retain 

 him against his will, and that forced service was not the 

 kind I wanted where I was going, induced me to decline 

 the worthy Field-cornet's proposal. Whether it was 

 love for the dollars or zeal in his profession, this Boer 

 functionary seemed disgusted at my non-acceptance of 

 his assistance. 



From that day Umganey was promoted to the rank 

 of my own personal attendant and cook, also placed in 

 charge of the stores even of the tobacco. While both 

 Jacob and he were to be on the look-out at all the kraals 

 we passed for a lad to forelope. 



Although I did not order Jim to be pursued and 

 brought back, for a week, if not longer, I had ringing 

 in my ears the complaisant words "Jim a good boy! 

 Jim a good boy ! " 



