THE TRANSPORT RIDER 



P^split wide open. Furthermore, he must shriek the 

 proper things. It all sounds alike to every one but 

 transport riders and oxen; but as a matter of fact 

 it is Boer-Dutch, nicely assorted to suit different 

 occasions. It is incredible that oxen should dis- 

 tinguish; but, then, it is also incredible that trout 

 should distinguish the nice diiferences in artificial 

 flies. 



After the start has been made successfully, the 

 craft must be kept under way. To an unbiased by- 

 stander the whole affair looks insane. The wagon 

 creaks and sways and groans and cries aloud as it 

 bumps over great boulders in the way; the leading 

 Kikuyu dances nimbly and shrills remarks at the 

 nearest cattle; the tail Kikuyu winds energetically 

 back and forth on his little handle, and tries to keep 

 his feet. And Brown! he is magnificent! His long 

 lash sends out a volley of rifle reports, down, up, 

 ahead, back; his cracked voice roars out an unending 

 stream of apparent gibberish. Back and forth along 

 the line of the team he skips nimbly, the sweat stream- 

 ing from his face. And the oxen plod along, unhast- 

 ing, unexcited, their eyes dreamy, chewing the end 

 of yesterday's philosophic reflection. The situation 

 conveys the general impression of a peevish little 

 stream breaking against great calm cliffs. All this 

 frantic excitement and expenditure of energy is so 



273 



