46 



A Breath from the Veldt 



and ammunition to be got together. To be ready with all this at three days' 

 notice, the waggon piled up and everything ready to start, was rather a tall 

 order. But Johannesburg is nothing if not expeditious ; for excellence of 

 supplies and promptitude of delivery it would be hard to beat. On Tuesday, 

 at the time appointed, the thing was done, and well done too. The waggon 

 was there fitted with a brand-new tent, new tires on the wheels, and a splendid 

 span of " salted " oxen, fat and fit to go anywhere ; the whole turn-out looked 

 first-class. There, too, were my groceries, saddles, bridles. Martini rifles, 

 ammunition — in short, everything I had ordered — stowed snugly away, as well 

 as three Basuto ponies that I had purchased at an average price of ^Tio apiece. 

 For " boys " for the interior we were to wait until we reached Landsberg's 

 farm, where the right sort were to be had. In the meantime a Zulu youth 

 named Jap was to do our bidding ; and a most excellent, good-natured fellow 

 he proved to be. 



To save details interesting only to those who are contemplating a similar 

 journey, let me say here that everything requisite for our outfit is set forth in 

 Mr. Bryden's admirable volumes Gun and Camera and The Sportsman in South 

 Africa. You need bring nothing from England, save your pet rifle and 

 cartridges for it, and (if you like) a saddle, and some of your favourite books. 



3 P.M. on 1 2th April saw us ascending the last of the range of hills leading 

 eastwards from the " Golden City " — hills under which lie buried more riches 

 than will be brought to light in this generation. Here the quartz-crushers 

 are at work, filling the air with thunderous sounds ; but one by one we leave 

 them all behind, along with the recumbent forms of Kaffirs asleep or drunk. 

 And now Johannesburg, with its poor, striving, and sweating humanity, 

 vanishes from our sight. With almost startling suddenness silence and solitude 

 take the place of crash and boom and rush ; the fine fresh air of the veldt 

 blows in our faces, and once more we feel the joy of life in a land where 

 Mrs. Grundy is unknown. Tremendous contrast this with life in Johannesburg. 

 There they are proud of their city, and in showing you around are careful to 

 remind you that it is but a thing of seven years old — a circumstance highly 

 creditable to one so advanced in every form of iniquity. Perchance, too, you 

 may be taken to one of the music-halls, where you will find the performances 

 sufficiently loose to gratify the lowest taste. Nor will they forget the 

 hospitality due to a stranger. You will be liberally entertained with concoctions 

 dear to the heart of the Johannesburger, but which you devoutly pray you may 

 never taste again. Then — their womenfolk. It may be that I was unfortunate 



