Chapter III. 

 KLIPSPRINGER SHOOTING. 



I HAVE before mentioned that bedsteads, at all 

 events those of European construction, are 

 not so plentiful in the Colony as could be 

 wished. The cost of transport by ox-waggon from 

 the coast operates as an effective bar to the free 

 introduction of articles of luxury, and even of 

 necessaries, where the farmstead is remote, as is 

 usually the case. In the last few years the Cape 

 railways have done something towards remedying 

 this state of things, but even now the area of the 

 Colony is so vast that most localities, far from the 

 trunk lines, still have their household supplies 

 brought to them by the slow and expensive ox- 

 waggon. H's farm in Naroekas lay seventy miles 

 from the nearest village, or small town (Willowmore) , 

 and upon our arrival there we found but three iron 

 bedsteads in the house. Of these, H. and his wife 

 made use of one ; the English nurse and the little 

 girl filled the second ; while Charlie H., our host's 

 brother, had possession of the third, which stood in 

 a large airy bedroom. In this room another bed 

 was therefore made up on the floor for two of us, 

 while the happy third member of our party — Frank 

 (who, at " odd man out," had won the toss for choice 

 of positions) — luxuriated in a half-share in Charlie 

 H's double bedstead; whence, on opening his eyes 



