6o 



A Breath from the Veldt 



man then seizes upon the girl nearest to him and whirls her about until 

 things begin to swim, and in sheer desperation he reels up against the wall 

 for a momentary rest. Instantly his partner slips from her moorings and is 

 whirled off by another youth whose fit of exhaustion has either passed away 

 or has yet to come. And so the dance goes on — waltz after waltz, polka 

 after polka — till the "band," unable to restrain himself any longer, clasps 



A DUTCH INTERIOR SHOWING BOERs' MODE OF DANCING 



his arms around a maiden's waist and, still clinging to his instrument and 

 keeping up the tune as well as he can, carries her along with him in the 

 giddy maze. The music is now a little irregular, halting or hurrying along 

 according to the exigencies of the performer ; but that is nothing. Exercise 

 and the display of staying power, rather than rhythmic movement, are what 

 all are bent upon, and no one thinks of giving in so long as he has breath 

 enough left to carry him round the room. The Dutch thoroughly enjoy 



