304 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



and resolution, and gifted with more than ordinary 

 eloquence. The twain are a host in themselves; and 

 while our country is represented by men of their type 

 it is bound to be honoured, in whatever part of the 

 earth their labours are carried on. 



I discharged my driver, put Umganey in charge, and 

 dined with Mr. Dawson. Several of the community, I 

 may say all of them, dropped in after dinner, so I was 

 introduced, and found them a most intelligent, gentle- 

 manly lot of people. It was late, or rather early, when 

 I walked across the open to my wagon; all had so 

 readily become familiar that I might have been in 

 England had not the simpering giggle of the jackal, 

 and the mournful protracted note of the hysena awoke 

 the stillness of the night. 



Next day, according to promise, I paid both Mr. 

 Mackenzie and Mr. Hepburn a visit. My reception 

 was most cordial, and Soshong, with all its ugliness 

 of barren rocks and unattractive dwellings, became 

 established in my mind as quite a pleasant spot. The 

 former gentleman invited me to come up to his house 

 and there outspan, while my cattle would be taken 

 care of by his herd, and pasture along with his own 

 drove. This was too good an offer to be refused, as I 

 knew Ackerman would be leading all his too-willing 

 comrades into every mealy garden in the district. But 

 I had no driver I explained. 



" Oh, that is nothing ; I will send mine ; " and his 

 was sent forthwith. In a couple of hours afterwards 

 the old familiar wagon was outspanned within twenty 

 yards of his hall door. It was arranged between us 

 that Mr. Mackenzie should introduce me to the young 

 King on the morrow, the very thing I most desired. 



