that. Moreover, I was given to practical joking,
and I played off one practical joke upon Cecil Rhodes of which I am
ashamed to this day. When we met, after not having seen each other for
nearly a quarter of a century, I felt sure he still remembered this (to
me) discreditable episode. However, with Frank Rhodes, whose age was
nearer mine, I was more in sympathy. We were, as a matter of fact,
intimate friends the whole of the period upwards of a year during which
we dwelt together. Herbert Rhodes was generally away on some adventure
or another. He appeared to be one of those men to whom constant change
was an imperative necessity.

I can very clearly picture Cecil Rhodes in one of his characteristic
attitudes. After dinner it was his wont to lean forward with both
elbows on the table and his mouth slightly open. He had a habit, when
thinking, of rubbing his chin gently with his forefinger. Very often he
would sit in the attitude described for a very long time, without
joining in whatever conversation happened to be going on. His manner
and expression suggested that his thoughts were far away, but
occasionally some interjection would indicate that, to a certain
extent, he was keeping in touch with the current topic. Indeed, it
often seemed to me that the larger part of his brain was dealing with
something of which no one else had cognizance. Mr. George Paton used to
banter him severely for this peculiarity, but the banter was always
taken in good part.

My first transaction with Cecil Rhodes was over the sale of my wagon.
Within a few months of my arrival the discovery of gold at Marabastad
was much discussed, and an expedition thither, under the leadership of
Herbert Rhodes, was organized. There was difficulty in the matter of
procuring a suitable wagon; eventually I was persuaded to lend mine for
the trip. When the expedition returned, about four months afterwards,
the wagon was a wreck. Naturally I demurred to taking it back.

The question arose as to what compensation I was to receive. It was
known that the vehicle had cost me only 13, but I had, shortly after my
arrival, refused an offer of 35 for it. I now demanded 30. Cecil Rhodes
offered 25, which I declined to accept. After discussing the matter
several times we agreed one afternoon to settle the dispute by means of
a game of euchre. If Rhodes won, the price was to be 25; if victory
declared for me, 30 had to be paid. The first two games out of three,
"seven