20 Notes on South African Hunting, 
Diamond Dodges. 
for an inexperienced man to tell from a bit of 
spar. A man I know, was pretty smart at 
telling them—of course, everyone can tell a 
diamond now-a-days—and thought he would 
do a shot ” on one of the traders. So he got 
a bit of spar, and cut it into the shape of a small 
rough diamond. Round came the trader. ‘'Any 
luck to-day ? ” “ Oh no—nothing to speak of.” 
“Well, let’s have a look, at all events.” Spar 
produced and examined. “What do you want 
for it ? ” Much reluctance shown about parting 
—didn’t want money—wanted the diamond for 
his sweetheart. Finally a sum was named and 
accepted. About two hours later hair was 
flying in tufts. 
Diamonds are kittle cattle. One finds a big 
diamond with a scarcely perceptible flaw in it; 
and, thinking he has got a find, goes off to sell 
it. When the box is opened the diamond is 
found split in little tiny chips from exposure to 
the air. Diggers used to put them in their 
mouths to prevent the air getting to them. 
Natives are largely employed by the companies 
to do the rough work; and they get singularly 
clever at finding stones, and keeping them. 
