n this life which they love, they can only look
to the weekly mail and the goodly supply of illustrated papers from
home, the attentive perusal of which has made them almost as conversant
as the veriest Cockney with all the people of note and the fair women of
the time, besides giving them an intimate knowledge of passing events.
As hosts they are perfection, and all they have is at their guests'
disposal. Their incentive to the great work for ever going on, not only
in their district, but in so many far-away localities where the Union
Jack flies, is the knowledge that the dark clouds of oppression,
plunder, and crime, are, in consequence of their efforts, rolling away
as mists disappear before the rising sun.

FOOTNOTES:

[44] Some parts of this chapter appeared in the Christmas number of the
_Pall Mall Magazine_, 1903, and in the _Bulawayo Chronicle_ of the same
date.

[45] Introduction to Mr. Grogan's work, "From the Cape to Cairo."

[46] Sir Charles Metcalfe, Bart., consulting engineer of the Chartered
Company, and Mr. G. Pauling, contractor for the same company.

[47] R.T. Coryndon, Esq.

[48] "Life and Adventures in South-East Africa," by F.C. Selous.

[49] _Wacht-een-bietze._

[50] The seat of government has since been transferred to Livingstone,
on the Zambesi.

[51] A kind of pheasant.

APPENDIX I

MAFEKING RELIEF FUND

_Distribution Committee_.

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL C.B. VYVYAN, Commandant of Mafeking.

MR. C.G. BELL, Resident Magistrate.

MR. A.H. FREND, Mayor.

Total amount made available for distribution L29,267

Of which the Committee allotted to: L
Widows and orphans 6,536
Refugees 4,630
Town relief 3,741
Seaside Fund 2,900
Churches, convent, schools, etc. 2,900
Wounded men 2,245
Small tradesmen 1,765
Hospital staff, nuns, etc. 1,115
Colonel Plumer's Rhodesian Column, etc. 1,000
-------
L26,832

_June_ 6, 1909.

The "Rainy Day Fund," formed from the balance of the Relief Fund, still
exists, and though the amount now in it is small,