CHAPTER V. 

 EARLY PRETORIA DAYS. 



In 1855-56 I went to study farming with Presi- 

 dent Pretorius on " Kalkheuvel." He was kindly 

 disposed but was seldom on the farm and his wife 

 was impossible, a woman with a terrific temper. I 

 found that I was not learning anything, so left one 

 day, after one of her frequent tantrums. The 

 Crocodile River, which runs on the boundary of the 

 farm was in high flood, but she refused me any 

 natives to assist me in getting my cattle across, so I 

 had to do the best I could alone, as it was impossible 

 to remain in the house until President Pretorius* 

 return, nor did she wish it, as she knew he would 

 take my part ; as he did when he came to hear of her 

 behaviour, and asked me to try and forget all about 

 it. He was a kind hearted, good man. I could 

 swim very well, so drove the cattle into the crossing, 

 but they were taken down by the strong stream. 

 Some got entangled in the trees ; in extricating them 

 I got several bad knocks and bruises, and once or 

 twice nearly gave up, but got them all out after a 

 long struggle ; and then had to swim back for my 

 clothes, and, half dead with fatigue and cold, reached 

 old Badenhorst's, where they gave me a " kraal " for 

 my cattle and shelter for the night. Next day I 

 reached Pretoria. 



When we first went to Pretoria there was only 

 oiK 1 Hartebeest house built of poles, reeds and mud 

 where the Pretoria Club now stands. This belonged 

 to Hendrick Vermuelen, the Landdrost, Joachim 



