48 
before, as they wanted to buy clothes, &c., in Leydenburg. 
We fancied they were alarmed at the idea of going into 
another country and amongst other tribes. I went off to 
the missionary to see if he could help us to some fresh 
Caffres to act as forelopers, and he most kindly lent us the 
only boy he had, and also managed to get us another by 
mid-day. He also cured a toothache from which E. was 
suffering, and gave us some stopping to carry on with us, 
so we were greatly indebted to him in many ways. I bought 
four more oxen, which, though small, turned out very good. 
Managed to get off in the afternoon, though the cart was 
not quite finished, but Dubois remained behind till it was 
done, and arrived with it at our camp shortly after dark. 
A fine opening for a blacksmith or carpenter at this place, 
there being plenty of work and no hands to do it, except 
at most exorbitant prices and after much supplication. I 
had to pay £5 for the repairs of the cart, which would, 
perhaps, have cost £1 or £2 at home. 
June 24ith, On the trek again. Crossed the Specboom 
river, and on the road met Mr. McLachlan, who was 
returning from the gold fields, and gave us some more 
letters from home. Bought a lot of oranges from a farmer 
near our evening camp, which E. made into some capital 
marmalade, and was most acceptable, as our tub of salt 
butter was nearly all gone. The next day we began to get 
amongst trees again, and were fast approaching the end of 
the Transvaal settlements and the edge of the Drachens- 
burg range. Going down hill now, and the weather 
growing considerably warmer both in the daytime and at 
night. Shot several specimens of small birds, of which 
the bush was full. The next day we reached the end of 
all things, and were unable to take our wagons any further, 
already having pushed through the bush where no ^'buck" 
wagons had been taken before, and even the apology for a 
road had now disappeared. We camped for the night of 
