462 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



this occasion, and never hinted even in the most remote 

 manner that it was a nuisance. When you travel never 

 abuse the babies, it is a mistake ; but when they get a 

 most violent attack of tantrums on, mildly suggest that 

 they probably have a stomach-ache, or a pin sticking in 

 them. You will at once be put down as a person of 

 feeling, and possessed of an unusual amount of common 

 sense. In fact, you might not be surprised to hear it 

 said sotto voce, " What an excellent husband that young 

 man would make ! " 



As we approached a halting-place one of the drivers 

 informed me that the handsomest girl in that part of 

 Africa resided there, that she was daughter of the 

 proprietor of the tavern where we should stop, and that 

 I was certain to see her, as she invariably came out to 

 the coach for orders from the passengers. 



The young lady in question was very lovely ; to 

 Andalusia admirers would imagine she owed her birth, 

 but in this they would be mistaken, for she was an 

 Africander of Irish parentage. 



The horses are at length in, and away we fly south 

 over the velt, with six as wild unbroken steeds before us 

 as ever carried harness. For four or five miles they' 

 never slacked their pace, but finally the heavy sand and 

 heavier coach commenced to tell, and the beauties 

 sobered down to a steadier pace. 



We have almost crossed the great Karoo Desert, 

 high mountains bound the southern horizon, but before 

 reaching them, when we shall be in the Old Colony, the 

 great Orange Biver or Grand Gariep has to be crossed. 

 This we did about nine in the morning, after enjoying 

 an excellent breakfast at the hotel on its northern 

 shore. 



