p his mind to become a settler. He had also
learned to mow, and he and Rupert spent some hours, scythe in hand,
cutting down the tall grass for the purpose of securing fodder for the
horses through the winter months, as also to prevent the necessity of
burning close round the homestead, as it is necessary to do, in case one
of the fires, which are constantly occurring, should spread in that
direction. Should this precaution not be taken, the crops to a
certainty would be destroyed, and the buildings themselves be in great
danger. Captain Broderick had surrounded his cultivated fields with
hedges, either of the prickly cactus or the mimosa, whose hooked thorns
were well calculated to prevent any animals from breaking through.

Crawford was much amused on seeing one of the Kaffirs dig. Instead of
using the spade in the English fashion, he grasped the handle with both
hands, holding it at arm's length, with the face turned towards him, and
then stuck it into the ground with a swing of his arms, never pressing
it with his foot. He used the handle as a lever to shovel out the loose
earth, all being done with a jerk, and yet he managed to dig into the
hard ground with extraordinary rapidity. When Crawford, taking a spade,
wished to show him his mode of digging, the Kaffir shook his head,
saying, "No good," and went on in his own way.

To Percy, who was not fit for hard work, was allotted the duty of
picking the ripe cobs in the mealies, as has been described, but he
begged his brother to find him some more interesting employment.

"All in good time," answered Rupert, "you will learn to plough and mow,
put up a fence, and drive the waggon."

"I can do that already," answered Percy; "I learned that from old Dos on
the journey, and I flatter myself I could manage a span of twelve oxen
with perhaps a little assistance."

There were so many duties to be performed on the farm, that there was no
time for hunting, which Crawford and Percy had looked forward to as one
of their most interesting employments. Rupert promised, however, as
soon as Captain Broderick returned, to give them a day's sport.

"You have not seen our preserve yet. We may have time, before dark, to
take a gallop down to it," said Rupert.

"Is it a deer park or a pheasant preserve?" asked Crawford.

"Far larger game than even the largest deer," was the reply.

"What do you mean to say you keep, tame elephants?" inquired Crawford.

"No, our game is