settled at Falls Farm on the borders of the Transvaal
country? I suppose I can endure what my father and mother, and my
brothers and sisters have to go through, and I shall soon get accustomed
to it. I can't say I know much about it at present, as I was sent to
school in the old country, when I was a very little chap under the
charge of an uncle, with whom I spent my holidays, and who looked after
me all the time I was in England; but he died some months ago, and as my
father could not send money to pay for my schooling, I was shipped off
to return home, and Mr Piatt, the owner of the Cloof Farm, where we
were staying, was good enough to ask your friend Mr Hendricks to let us
accompany him as far as we were going, as he said that he expected to
pass close to my father's house."

"You are very fortunate to find so good a man to travel with," said
Denis. "He is the most noted hunter in the whole colony, and a capital
fellow besides."

"I was much pleased with him," remarked Crawford, "and should greatly
like to accompany him throughout the whole of the expedition; but as I
came out to farm, I must lose no time in endeavouring to learn. Half a
year ago I had no notion of doing such a thing. I was at Oxford,
intending to become a barrister; but the small fortune I expected to
inherit disappeared, and as it might be several years before I could
obtain a brief, I thought the wisest thing I could do with the remainder
of my possessions was to come out to this country, of which I had heard
glowing accounts. I cannot say exactly that I am disappointed; but were
I to purchase a farm, and attempt to commence operations by myself, I
should feel remarkably like a fish out of water, for I confess I have
not the slightest idea what I should do."

"Faith! there are a good many young gentlemen like you, Mr Crawford,"
observed Denis, "only they haven't the wisdom to keep their money in a
bank while they are learning something about the business they wish to
engage in. In most instances they are so eager to begin, that they buy
land, and very soon find all their money gone, long before their crops
have grown, or what they have laid out in other ways has given them any
return. When I was in the office of my uncle, Mr Walker, in
Maritzburg, numbers of young gentlemen used to come and ask for
employment, just for their food and lodging. Those who have friends at
home who can pay their passage money return, others have to turn thei