8 TALES OF A NOMAD. 



rule his movements were so rapid that before the enemy 

 realised his intentions he had accomplished his object. 



Self-reliant energy is characteristic of the Afrikander, 

 and the commandant was merely a typical specimen of 

 his race. For generations past they have in insignificant 

 numbers fought their way northward against savage 

 hordes and dangerous wild beasts, their only weapon 

 the rifle, their only book the Bible, and the constant 

 struggle has evolved a singularly bold and hardy 

 people. 



As the moon rose Trooper G and myself paraded 



for inspection. After being very narrowly overhauled 

 by the adjutant, who gave us a final injunction to be 



careful, we set out on our journey. Trooper G led 



the way. He was an Afrikander born of Irish parents. 

 He was a fine rider, a fine shot, as brave as a lion, and 

 withal, like most Irishmen, had a cheerful temperament 

 which never deserted him even at the moments of 

 gravest danger. 



"Mr. X , I'm thinking we may set to work and 



do all our smoking and talking now while we can do it 

 with safety, for in the parts we are going to visit we 

 are not exactly popular, so let us light up now." 



Thus we continued to smoke and converse in a low 

 tone until we reached the point in the hills through 

 which the river flowed. Dead silence was now to be 

 our rule. The frost had begun to fall, and it was some- 

 what cold work. 



A long ride in a frosty night invariably makes one 

 feel sleepy. Any one much accustomed to riding ac- 

 quires the knack of sleeping in the saddle. It is a 

 dubious kind of rest though. Every now and then as 

 the head begins to nod and fall forward the sleeper is 



