y a regiment or so in Natal. Those wretched duffers
at home hurried every soldier out of the country the instant the
fighting was over, and if the Boers really mean business we shall have
no end of trouble. You see, we have crushed their two enemies, the
Zulus and Secoceni, and now that we have done the work for them they
want to get rid of us."

"I thought we should have trouble with them," Mr Harvey said; "they are
an obstinate, pig-headed race; they never would pay taxes to their own
government; they would not even turn out and fight when Secoceni
threatened to overrun the country; and now, as likely as not, they will
fight desperately for the independence they were glad enough to
relinquish in the hour of danger. What you tell me is a nuisance. I
had originally intended to go down through Kimberley to Port Elizabeth;
but I changed my mind and decided to go back again through the
Transvaal, and I have come so far to the east that I do not like to
change my plans again. However, I don't suppose we shall be interfered
with. They can't very well quarrel with us, if we won't quarrel with
them."

"Perhaps not," the trader said; "but I tell you I have found it precious
difficult to keep my temper several times. The insolence and swagger of
those fellows is amazing."

The two caravans halted near each other for the day, and a pleasant
evening was spent. The next morning each resumed its way.

No further adventure was met with until the Limpopo was reached; this
was crossed on rafts. The natives who had accompanied them were now
paid off, receiving a handsome present each, in addition to the sum
agreed upon, and the caravan proceeded on its way.

At the first Dutch village at which they arrived, a week after leaving
the Limpopo, they had evidence of a change of demeanour in the Boers.
As they passed through the streets a group of five or six men were
standing at the door of a store; one of them in a loud and insolent
voice made a remark to the others, that before long they would not have
any of these English dogs going through their country--a remark which
was received with boisterous approval by the others. Mr Harvey's face
flushed, and he was on the point of reining in his horse, and riding up
to chastise the insolent Boer, but the thought of the distance of
country yet before him checked him. It was clearly the intention of the
man to force a quarrel, and in this the English were sure to get the
disadvant