e of that lovely butter, whatever comes of it,'
and then between us, it's all gone."

It seemed impossible to deal with the offence gravely after that. "I
shall know I must not leave any in the wagon another time," said the
mistress; and we scrambled into our places to be out of the way while
the work of inspanning went on.

[Sidenote: A Fiery Day]

The morning turned into a fiery day. The air shimmered blindingly above
the veldt, and the white road, inches deep in dust, trailed ahead like
an endless serpent. We panted and gasped under the shelter of the tent;
April abandoned his post and climbed up in the back compartment of the
wagon, but Jan grew more and more lively.

He tightened his waist-belt and ran by the side of his team, encouraging
them by voice and example.

He wore an old soft felt hat, with a perfectly abject brim, above his
scarlet handkerchief, and every quarter of a mile he would take it off
and put the ostrich feather that adorned one side straight up, and
attempt to pinch the limp brim into shape.

In spite of his cheerful snatches of song, and his encouraging cries,
the poor beasts showed more and more signs of distress, till at last Jan
turned to Mrs. Gilbert and said, "The poor oxen is just done up. We must
outspan till it gets cooler."

"What, outspan in this pitiless place, with not a house, or a tree, or
water to be got at!" cried one of the girls.

"There is a water-hole down there," said Jan, pointing to a dip in the
ground not far off.

"Yes," said Mrs. Gilbert, "I have been down there on horseback."

The wagon was drawn off the road, and the weary oxen let loose, while we
stretched ourselves on the cartels, but found the heat too great to let
us recover any of our lost sleep.

After a time some of us, thinking any change must be for the better,
dragged ourselves out into the glare, and went to look at the pool of
water. But though a few prickly pears and mimosa bushes grew around, it
was not an inviting spot to rest in, and we laboured back across the
scorching ground to the wagon, our only benefit being more thankfulness
for its shelter.

April had gone off to see that the oxen did not wander too far. Jan
lighted a fire, made coffee for us, and broiled some meat and green
mealie cobs.

We felt better after our meal, though we had not been hungry for it.
Then, to my surprise, Jan settled down to enjoy his share, as close to
the fire as he could. I do not know if the burning