ii6 A Breath from the Veldt 



Here the gentleman in question is said to be encamped with about 2000 of his 

 warriors, in open defiance of the Dutch Government. For the last ten years 

 that august body have been in a chronic condition of "taking steps" against 

 this black rascal, but actually doing nothing. He is in too strong a position to 

 make war on without great expense, and the Z.A.R. don't like putting their 

 hands in their pockets. Oom Paul's mode of government is entirely unpopular 

 amongst the more sensible-minded Dutch, and from the. many conversations I 

 listened to round camp fires I gathered that the people would heartily welcome 

 an English administration of their affairs in exchange for the feeble and narrow- 

 minded rule of their present Volksraad, whose ideas on politics are based on the 

 Old Testament and whose financial methods are much on a par with those of 

 Mr. Jabez Balfour. Though more or less opposed to the English as fellow- 

 countrymen, nearly all Dutchmen acknowledge that our rule is far more honest 

 and beneficial than that of their own countrymen, and that in the Transvaal a 

 renewal of the British Protectorate would be hailed with joy by the majority 

 of the nation. At present the poor have a bad time of it, for they are heavily 

 taxed, and absolutely nothing is done in return for them to better either their 

 own position or that of their country. 



The mountain scenery in this part of the Zoutpansberg is certainly very 

 fine, particularly the " poort " leading up to Magato's stronghold. Fine woods 

 grow right up to the summit of the mountains. Here raptorial birds are 

 numerous, and even the duikers and steinbucks begin to show up more 

 frequently. We have also seen to-day tracks of pallah and koodoo, and 

 Magato is said to preserve a herd of buffalo on the other side of the 

 mountain, which he keeps for the sport of any white guests whom he chooses 

 to favour. 



The bateleur eagle is now exceedingly common, and may be seen at all 

 hours wheeling in short circles over the bush-covered plain. It is not a shy 

 bird for an eagle ; while hunting for its prey, it will frequently pass close over 

 the head of any one riding ; one can therefore see quite clearly the peculiar 

 manner in which it holds its head whilst searching for khoorhans, partridges, 

 hares, and small mammals. As it sails along, quickly wheeling to right and 

 left over likely spots, the bill is compressed into the crop, and the head held 

 in such a manner as to convince me that the bird only searches the ground 

 over which it has already passed. While flying close over you, you will see 

 the black crown of its head, so presented as to give the bird the appearance of 

 spying between his own feet that are closely drawn up. 



