Coaching with a Team of Mules. 53 



party, with some amount of baggage, we had 

 secured for our ])rivate use two coaches, and 

 we passed the four days occupied in the 

 journey to Johannesburg in tolerable comfort. 

 This kind of coaching is an experience which at the 

 present day can only l)e tried in Africa. The 

 coaches themsehes are the most curious produc- 

 tions of human slcill. Intended to hold twelve 

 passengers inside, lialf-a-dozen outside, besides 

 large quantities of heavy baggage, they are con- 

 structed of very solid materials hung upon thick 

 springs of leather, and present the most unwieldy 

 lumliering and old world appearance. They are 

 dra^Mi by ten or twelve mules or horses harnessed 

 in 2^airs. T^^'o men are refjuired to guide the 

 team, the one holding the reins, the other the 

 long whip witli which he can severely chastise all 

 but the leading pair. AVhen driving a team of 

 mules the Avhip is in operation every minute, 

 constant flosi-^-ino; alone inducino- these stubloorn 

 animals to do their best. At times one of the 

 drivers is compelled to descend from tiie box and 

 run alono-side the team, fioo-n-iuo- them all with 

 the greatest heartiness and impartiality. In spite, 

 however, of all this effort and apparent harsh 

 treatment, an a^'erage speed of about six miles is 

 all that can be realized. Roads there are none ; 

 deeplv rutted tracks are followed. When tlie 

 ruts get too dee}) for safety the track turns 

 slightly aside, and to such an extent does this 

 sometimes occur that in places the track occupies 

 a width of a quarter of a mile or more. Swinging, 



