xix TYPE OF SETTLER REQUIRED 191 



Luncheon will be at noon, and at this meal it is likely 

 that some neighbour may drop in to ask for the loan 

 of some tools or to arrange for some joint wagon to go 

 into town to take in produce or bring out stores or 

 implements, or with news of lion or buffalo for a 

 Sunday's jaunt. At four o'clock the gangs knock off 

 and tools and implements are replaced. Tea is taken 

 and afterwards till dark is the hour for recreation. 

 This may take the form of gardening or a game of 

 lawn tennis. It is not unlikely that there is a pony in 

 training for the farmers' race at the next meeting, 

 perhaps a couple of polo ponies to be exercised, or 

 possibly the larder may want replenishing. Darkness 

 falls all too quickly and at 6.30 a bath and change into 

 pyjamas is the order of the day. At 7 dinner — soup, 

 buck, partridge and pudding, not by any means forget- 

 ting whiskey and a glass of port. Then with a pipe 

 comes the writing of a letter or two, the filling in of 

 the day book and possibly the balancing of accounts. 

 At nine o'clock, healthily tired, we call to our dog and 

 turn in. 



Not a very exciting day, you may say. Perhaps 

 not, at all events to read of; but entrancing enough to 

 the man who sees his holding steadily grow, watches 

 his crop spring up and grow ripe, struggles monthly 

 with the elements, with insect perils, with possibilities 

 of disease among his stock ; struggles and usually 

 wins through. 



