In consequence of the shortness of the journey
ahead, comparatively speaking, we delayed starting
until noon, for the double purpose of drying some
of our things and giving the horses a good feed
before they had again to undertake a further spell
of work.
When night commenced we were still on the
road, and rain had again begun falling.
My poor animals had a dreadful time of it, and
looked like the proverbial " fence rails."

At length Bob refused to go any further, and,
when punished, deliberately lay down.
To remedy this be was taken out of harness,
received a good whipping, and was put back in
the trap. All was of no avail. He persistently
refused to draw. Having made a fire I took a
lighted brand from it, and upon examination of
the horses I discovered, tcr my surprise, and, need



2 72 ''On Duty r

I add, horror, that both of them had their shoul-
ders galled severely by the breast strap, these sores
being produced by the wet. From my knowledge
of distance I was pretty well convinced that Kania
could not be far away, and the driver was of the
same opinion, so Tommy was taken out of harness,
and a saddle was put upon his back, for I deter-
mined to ride on until I reached that station.
Leaving instructions with 6opani*s boy to take
care of Bob during the night, and giving him per-
mission to sleep in the cart, with the Hottentot
for guide I renewed my journey.
I cannot tell what sort of scenes I went through.
