ing event was one meant to
teach volunteers how to swim rivers in case of field service, and
the palm lay between the Natal Carbineers and a smart body of mounted
police. At a given signal they all plunged on horseback into the muddy
water, and from a very difficult part of the bank too, and swam, fully
accoutred and carrying their carbines, across the river. It was very
interesting to watch how clever the horses were, and how some of their
riders slipped off their backs the moment they had fairly entered the
stream and swam side by side with their steeds until the opposite bank
was reached; and then how the horses paused to allow their dripping
masters to mount again--no easy task in heavy boots and saturated
clothes, with a carbine in the left hand which had to be kept dry at
all risks and hazards. When I asked little G---- which part he liked
best, he answered without hesitation, "The assidents" (anglice,
accidents), and I am not sure that he was not right; for, as no one
was hurt, the crowd mightily enjoyed seeing some stalwart citizen
in his best clothes suddenly topple from his place of vantage on the
deceitfully secure-looking but rotten branch of a tree and take an
involuntary bath in his own despite. When that citizen further chanced
to be clad in a suit of bright-colored velveteen the effect was
much enhanced. It is my private opinion that G---- was longing to
distinguish himself in a similar fashion, for I constantly saw him
"lying out" on most frail branches, but try as he might, he could not
accomplish a tumble.

JANUARY 17.

I have had an opportunity lately of attending a Kafir _lit de
justice_, and I can only say that if we civilized people managed our
legal difficulties in the same way it would be an uncommonly good
thing for everybody except the lawyers. Cows are at the bottom of
nearly all the native disputes, and the Kafirs always take their
grievance soberly to the nearest magistrate, who arbitrates to
the best of his ability between the disputants. They are generally
satisfied with his award, but if the case is an intricate one, or they
consider that the question is not really solved, then they have the
right of appeal, and it is this court of appeal which I have been
attending lately. It is held in the newly-built office of the minister
for native affairs--the prettiest and most respectable-looking
public office which I have seen in Maritzburg, by the way. Before the
erection of this modest bu