MEN, MINES, AND ANIMALS 

 IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



CHAPTER I. 



OUTWAED BOUND. 



Departure from Paddiiigtou Station — Reasons for the journey — 

 The composition of the party — Arrival at Dartiuouth — 

 The Grautully Gadle — Lisbon : the Zoological Gardens — 

 Madeira — Invitation front Mr. Benet-Stanford — A sub- 

 tropical garden — Farewell to Madeira — Shoals of flying 

 fish — From breakfast to bedtime on board ship — Athletic 

 sports at sea — Fire ! — Cape Town. 



A BRIGHT morning towards the end of April. 

 The eternal east Avind blowing sharp and strong 

 serves to moderate the reo-ret which mii>-ht be felt 

 Ijy one leaving England for a considerable period. 

 In Paddington Station, alongside the platform, is 

 drawn up the special express for Dartmouth. 

 Every carriage appears to be full, round each 

 compartment door large groups of persons, who 

 intend to stay at home, wish farewell to those who 

 are resolved to depart, and by their exuberant 

 emotions obstruct the passage of the officials, of 

 the tardy traveller, and of heavy trucks of 

 baggage. Among the passengers the male sex 

 largely predominates, and youth is stamped upon 

 the countenances of the majority. In such a, 



B 



