74 A Breath from the Veldt 



got to like him very much. In mind he was about fifteen, and in body he 

 looked about twenty-eight, though, as a matter of fact, he had just passed his 

 twentieth birthday. He said he had been sent back to look for us, and that 

 his father, who was some fifteen miles off, was anxiously awaiting our coming. 

 Soon after our meeting we had a good dinner off the khoorhans and francolins, 

 and at sundown reached a very beautiful, park-like forest, where, close to a fine 

 stream of water, stood the two waggons of the old hunter, the fine blue smoke 

 from the wood fires curling gracefully heavenwards in the evening glow. The 

 scene of the camp, with its horses, cows, oxen, dogs, cats, and poultry, presented 

 one of the most picturesque compositions I have ever seen, tinctured as it was 

 with the glamour of romance and memories of days gone by. Here was the 

 embodiment of simplicity and incertitude that clings like a halo round the wild 

 life of the African hunter, the joys of which the mere dwellers in cities can 

 never know. Weariness, hunger, thirst and danger are the constant companions 

 of him whose life is passed amongst the wild beasts of the field ; but against 

 these must be set off the cheering presence of wife and children, vigorous good 

 health, and the joy of freedom — the three best gifts of God to man. 



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V JJav^d. 



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