218 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



what they have heard and seen ? No, the Boers would 

 close all distant Kaffir-land to the world ; but a hundred 

 well-armed Englishmen could open the gate in spite of 

 the whole population, if it were assembled to oppose 

 them. 



At length all was ready for starting, the oxen were 

 in the yoke and myself mounted, when up came a party 

 of Boers, and demanded five pounds' duty on my wagon, 

 a tax levied on all traders. They showed no authority 

 for their conduct, and refused me all information but this, 

 that if I did not pay there and then they would seize my 

 wagon. That I was resolved they should not do, and 

 affairs were commencing to get exciting and lively, when 

 a friend came to the rescue. To my assailants he pointed 

 out that the tax was only levyable upon merchandise 

 going through the Transvaal for the purpose of trade, 

 that I had nothing in my load but necessaries for the 

 subsistence of myself and attendants, and therefore was 

 not liable. To this they would not listen, and I as ob- 

 stinately refused to satisfy their extortionate demand. 

 At length they attempted to remove a valuable gun- 

 case from the wagon as security for their unjust demand. 

 My patience was too severely taxed to submit any 

 longer, so I jumped off my horse, armed myself with 

 my revolver, and rushed in among them. The gun-case 

 was dropped like a hot coal, and the scoundrels bolted 

 as fast as their legs could carry them. 



The order to treck was given, and thus I bid adieu 

 to Zeerust. 



