124 KLOOF AND KARROO. 



perhaps a better man than he was taken for, and the 

 chief seems to be no little surprised when he hears 

 of the white man's achievements. It is now getting 

 dusk, twilight is of the briefest, and the warm red 

 light in which the valley is bathed will soon 

 disappear ; so we at once return to the farmhouse. 

 Our host has invited the chief, Segani, and one or 

 two others, to come up and have a " soupje," and 

 something to eat ; and, needless to say, the offer is 

 accepted with pleasure. In a short time the Kaffirs 

 are being regaled at the back of the house, and, from 

 their laughter, have evidently fully recovered their 

 spirits, Segani's voice being the loudest of all. 

 Presently they retire, after a gift • of tobacco, and 

 after Segani has been presented by his whilom 

 opponent with half-a-crown, at which the Kaffir's 

 face beams with delight. 



Then we re-enter the house to finish our own 

 suppers, after which, not the least pleasant of many 

 happy days in South Africa is completed over pipes 

 and grog, by an evening's chat and stories of 

 shooting, and of old days in the Colony. And so, as 

 good old Pepys hath it, to bed ! 



