362 THE LAND OF THE LION 



considerable number, a new order from the local govern- 

 ment is issued. Under it an immigrant may take out a 

 5-dollar licence good for three months, which will per- 

 mit him to kill game while he is travelling over the country 

 looking for the location on which he wishes to settle. 



It must be admitted that such an arrangement, if it is 

 naturally nettling to the older British settlers, is at least 

 generous to the Boer. How does the Dutchman take it? 

 I have heard married men among the Boers, not young, 

 irresponsible hot heads, standing among their friends and 

 with their wives and children by them, openly defy the 

 game wardens and police and boast when these officers 

 question them politely, that they had taken put one such 

 licence, and that its date would expire in a few days; that they 

 would not be bothered to take out another, and that they 

 would go when they pleased, and shoot all the game they 

 chose, and no one should stop them! These men were 

 convinced that everyone was afraid of them, and that the 

 privileges granted them by the Government were only 

 granted because those in authority did not dare to do other- 

 wise. Such men are an undesirable element in the 

 country. 



I have dwelt at length on this case, because their presence 

 complicates seriously the native question. No one know- 

 ing the history of Boer immigration can welcome such 

 settlers as likely to aid in establishing and maintaining 

 honourable relations with the natives. Here another and 

 grave difficulty awaits the Government. To put it as 

 mildly as possible, the Dutch treatment of the aborigine, 

 if in his own view it is just, could not be called sympathetic. 

 Some of the native tribes cannot at present live without 

 the game. Their clothing and much of their food depends 

 on their hunting. The Boer utterly wipes all game out, and 

 having done so in one country goes elsewhere to do the 

 same thing over again. He despises the native, scorns 



