98 A NATURALIST IN THE TRANSVAAL. 



as in many cases, unmarried. The living is bare and but 

 little diversified, home comforts are in some instances of 

 the fewest number, whilst in the small flower-garden 

 near the house may frequently be seen the tomb of some 

 loved one, who has lived and died with them in these 

 African solitudes, and whose remains now really conse- 

 crate the ground. Then, again, there is much leisure 

 time, for the Kafirs come to purchase in a sporadic 

 manner, and hours pass without the visit of a customer ; 

 consequently these hermit merchants are glad to have a 

 chat with any passer by, and I found them very hos- 

 pitable to me on my journey. An old Matabele trader 

 named Cooksley, whom Mohr mentions in his Travels, 

 has now settled here and has the best establishment 

 on the road. The beauty of the spot is its flower-garden 

 and orchard, both of which are due to the horticultural 

 taste and industry of Mrs. Cooksley, who kindly supplied 

 me with a stock of fine oranges on both upward and 

 return journey ; it is such cultivated spots and well-kept 

 homes that are required to be distributed among the 

 districts inhabited by the Boer farmers, for nothing but a 

 healthy emulation can arouse that lethargic stock. These 

 traders altogether depend upon their native customers, 

 and in return are able to afford them considerable pro- 

 tection, particularly if they happen to be in the hands of 

 unscrupulous and oppressive native commissioners. I 

 heard many reports of savage floggings and impositions 

 when I was in Zoutpansberg ; and the government 

 should remember that officials do not become valuable 

 only as they collect native taxes, for it is possible at the 

 same time to drive Kafirs from their locations, and thus 

 not only destroy a source of revenue, but also depress a 

 very valuable branch of trade in the country *. 



All along the road we passed small bodies of Kafirs 

 tramping home after working at Kimberley, Johannes- 

 burg, or Pretoria, where they usually remain for a 



* The government quite recently instituted an enquiry into these charges, 

 which could not be substantiated. It was admitted, however, that the 

 Commissioner had flogged a native servant girl with a riding-whip for 

 " frequent acts of immorality," but her subsequent death was decided to be 

 due to other causes. 



