THE LIMPOPO RIVER 
7 
trekked on towards Rustenberg, along the western slope of the 
beautiful Machalisberg, famed for the good quality of its tobacco, 
and the decisive victory which was gained by the Boers over 
Umziligazi, the Matabele king, at Oliphant’s Nek in 1837-38, 
compelling the latter to fly northward with his tribe to occupy 
what is now known as Matabeleland. 
We here crossed the Limpopo, known as the Crocodile river 
near its source, which, although only the size of a large brook in 
England, is infested with the creatures from which it derives its 
name. A Boer told me that not so long ago, a man, while cross- 
THE MACHALISBERG 
ing the river, was pulled from his horse by a crocodile, and was 
killed under the eyes of his horror-stricken companions before 
they could drive the beast off. 
Rustenberg we found to be a picturesque little village, in 
whose neighbourhood we were much surprised to find that 
pineapples and other almost tropical fruit grow to perfection, 
as we thought to have bidden farewell to such luxuries on 
the coast. 
Actuated by some strange fear of passing into other countries, 
our natives deserted us soon after leaving Rustenberg, so that 
Rudolf and I were obliged to play the part of drivers and 
leaders ourselves, while Hammar for the time being was con- 
