XXIX.]

FOLLOW MY LEADER.

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a fine pan of water, and as the neighbouring country was dry for many miles, all the game, wildebeest, blessbok, and springbok, had collected in thousands in its neighbourhood. Studying well the quarters from which the wind blew and circling round widely to windward (for in Africa the game always run up wind) we made sure that the entire flock would pass within a few hundred yards.

Alarmed by our appearance, yet obedient to the laws of their nature, the mass started, and for a considerable time the plain appeared literally alive with the countless numbers which defiled before us; hundreds and hundreds of wildebeests wildly dashing for their lives across the veldt, intermixed with thousands of blessbok and springbok. The pace was terrific, and the dust blinding, so as to render any certain aim impossible; but it was a magnificent sight, such as can seldom be seen but in the wide-spread plains of South Africa. The blessbok, and in fact all antelopes, are in their nature much like sheep, and religiously follow their leader, perfectly regardless or unconscious where he is conducting them. Mr. O, who had a large tract of land in the east of the Free States, told me that upon one occasion he came across a very large herd of blessbok, which rushed towards a steep precipice, where, being hard pressed, the leader jumped over, and each of the animals successively followed. The descent was over the sheer face of the rock, and many perished below; the remainder, threading their way up a ravine, came again in sight of the tail of the herd, which was pressing wildly on the path they themselves had taken. Obedient, however, to their instinct, they followed on, and a second time leapt the precipice. This extraordinary movement continued for some time, many more being added each time to those who perished, and the result being that several waggon loads of dead deer were collected and skinned. The story may seem extraordinary to those who are not ac

quainted with the nature of the game on these plains; but it is by no means incredible by those who know the country.

On the following day we moved on to Bultfontein. Here, through the kind attention of Major Lanyon, the Administrator of Griqualand West, my mail reached me, as he had directed a policeman to convey it a distance of ninety-five miles across the veldt.

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CHAPTER XXX.

THE TRANSVAAL, FARMING-SPORT.

THE farmers of the Transvaal are excellent people, but children in the art of government. They complained of the war, and desired the remission of war-taxes. They complained that they were now bound to pay taxes, not at their own pleasure, but at regular periods, and that they were compelled to attend the courts of justice when summoned. Although most of them had far more land than they could manage, everybody desired more. To show how primitive these Boers are, I may narrate the following story:—

A schoolmaster was lately appointed in Zoutspanberg. One of his earliest lessons was to teach the children that the world turns on its own axis. He also endeavoured to make them understand the revolutions of the heavenly bodies. The children went home and were impertinent to their parents, and told them that the earth went round the sun. The elders of the district met and consulted regarding these new doctrines, and finally agreed to refer the subject to the minister, who requested the schoolmaster to explain. The schoolmaster said: "I teach them nothing but the movements of the heavenly bodies, and that the earth revolves round the sun. The minister answered, "Well, this may be true, no doubt, and what the earth does in Holland; but it would be more convenient at present if in the Zoutspanberg you would allow the sun still to go round the earth for a few years longer; we do not like sudden changes in such matters." The schoolmaster took the

hint, and for the present the sun is allowed in Zoutspanberg to move as heretofore. The power of a minister of a parish is very great. A great deal depends upon him for the improvement and well-being of the town. Many a time it has been said to me when I observed that a town was flourishing, "Yes, we are fortunate in our minister;" and when it was falling backward it was, "Ah, all will alter when we get rid of our present minister." To show the minister's influence over his parishioners, I will quote from a local paper a circumstance that occurred in the colony

This town is in a state of excitement at present, owing to the minister of the Dutch Reformed Church having refused to present a young lady to the congregation. The uncle of the girl thus details the circumstances in a letter of complaint to the minister. "Some months ago you confirmed my niece; last week you refused to present her, as a member of the church, a girl of unimpeachable character, before the congregation. Why? Because on Old Year's Night she danced in a private house with some young friends. The sin was so unpardonable in your sight that you at once went to my sister, the mother of the girl, a poor widow, and told her with much Christian charity and admonition that you could not present' her daughter, but that she would have to do penance three months for her sins, thus putting her under the ban of the church."

One evening I was resting in my tent while a knot of Kafirs were conversing outside. I heard the following remarks. A Kafir who had been partly educated at a Mission Station was expatiating upon the grandeur of the Queen, when he was answered by another, who said: "Why, friend, we are all well aware of the grandeur of her Majesty; not only is she the Queen of the Ocean, but her son is the Prince of Whales, 'Unconi' Yeamanina."

XXX.]

MY MILITARY ARRANGEMENTS.

283

On the following morning a serious dispute as to the annexation of the Transvaal arose between two young Dutch farmers who accompanied us. From arguments they soon came to blows, and descending from their horses squared up in good English style. They had many rounds. The endeavours of the partisan of England were directed to knocking the wind out of his adversary with his fists, while the supporter of the late Republic attempted to effect a like result by planting blow after blow adroitly in the pit of his adversary's stomach with his right foot, causing him to gulp most strenuously. Fortunately his foot was only encased in a light shoe, of the untanned leather usually worn by the Boers.

I had now finished my military arrangements in the Transvaal, stationing the main body at Pretoria, and the mounted force at Standerton, and establishing an intermediate position at Newcastle between the Transvaal and Natal.

In case of disturbance or disaffection I saw that there were many military elements which could be called out in addition to her Majesty's troops, and that a considerable number of European gentlemen, upon whom every reliance could be placed, were very ready to give their assistance.

I proposed, in case of necessity, to form two separate forces from this civil element: one composed of young Dutch farmers, all excellent horsemen, well acquainted with the country and the natives, very hardy in their natures, men who, accustomed to privations, can resist the climate by night and the sun by day; and who, if led by British officers, would ere long, I feel convinced, emulate the Cossack, of whose attributes they possess so large a share.

The next would be a force raised from those from our parent island, who have come out to make their fortunes and failed, partly perhaps from their own recklessness and want of foresight, and partly through the force of circumstances.

These men are full of energy, dash and bravery, and though