THE FOOL'S ARGUMENT. 



259 



up the tree with me. On their arrival, Inyovu was 

 requested to state what had happened in the bush on the 

 previous day. He at first said that he wished me as his 

 chief to speak ; but upon my requesting him to give his 

 own account, he spoke nearly word for word what I had 

 previously said. I then requested that any two Kaffirs 

 might be sent on our spoor, and the tree examined that we 

 had ascended on the day before ; but my doubting gentle- 

 man hauled down his colours, although with a very bad 

 grace, and acknowledged that he now believed the whole 

 account. 



The money I intended returning to him, after I had 

 proved my adventure to have been true, but unfortunately 

 was unable to do so, because it was never paid to me. 



I recommend this ordeal to others who may be an- 

 noyed by such mosquito sort of gentry ; it may not be 

 quite right on principle, but is very decisive and con- 

 vincing. I know one gentleman, however, who avoids 

 this fiery trial, by asserting that he makes it a rule never 

 to bet. For him it is a most useful rule, as he is so 

 invariably obstinate, and at the same time wrong, that 

 were he to fall into ungenerous hands, his obstinacy or 

 his money would soon melt away, and I am disposed to 

 think that the latter would be the sooner lost. 



s 2 



