A SAFE GUN. 
353 
Yaal River, four days on my road to Natal from 
Mooi River Dorp. I found there ivory at a very low 
price, in consequence of the rumoured war, or some 
other reason ; but I was obliged to sell part of my 
stock there. I got 5 s. Qd. per lb. for 1,000 lbs., and 
only 3 s. 6d. for 500 lbs. more ; but what with feathers, 
at 11. 10<s. per lb., and a few karosses and rhino¬ 
ceros horns, I sold to the tune of about 430/., a 
trifle more or less, and have still a wagon-load of the 
finest ivory left, which I am taking to Natal, and all 
the best of the karosses. I have become a trans¬ 
port-rider, and am taking in one wagon 3,000 lbs. 
of wool and ivory down to Natal, for which I am to 
receive, however, only 9,9. per 100 lbs. 
The first of my difficulties is the Yaal River, whicli 
is now full and may detain me here a week or more, 
and we have lots of rain every day, and I hear all 
the rivers ahead are also full, and I may be six weeks 
on the road. 
I picked up two German tradesmen, a mason and 
a blacksmith, who begged to be allowed to go with 
my wagons to Natal; the latter carried a gun, and, 
not liking the look of it, I said he must fire it off 
before putting it into the wagon ; he did so, and it 
burst all to pieces, tearing three great holes through 
his hat, one in the middle of his temple, and burning 
and blackening both his eyes, of course prostrating 
him and deluging him in blood, and it was some 
time ere we could pursuade him that he was not 
killed outright. We washed him well, and doctored 
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