d, coming from the main stream, grew
weeping willows and lilac trees, with several other water-loving and
rapidly growing shrubs. The streets of the town were at right angles;
the houses uniformly white, few of them being of more than one story,
but all looking very neat and clean, as did the streets themselves, with
channels of clear water flowing on either side, affording the
inhabitants an abundant supply for all their wants. Indeed, it could
not but be acknowledged that the site of Pieter Maritzburg had been
admirably chosen for a colonial town.

Hendricks having outspanned in an open place at the entrance of the
town, left Umgolo to look after the waggon, and took Denis and Lionel to
dispose of them as he had arranged. Denis was kindly received by his
uncle, who, thanking Hendricks for having brought him back, promised to
give him employment until his father should come or send for him. Denis
seemed very sorry to part from Lionel, who had been so long his pupil.

"Don't you be after forgetting all I have taught you, Lionel," he said.

"No fear, me no forget," answered Lionel, laughing. "Soon talkee
English well as Den 'self."

The little fellow, as he walked alongside his tall friend, gazed with
astonishment at all he saw, and when he came near the public buildings--
which though unpretending edifices enough, were of gigantic size
compared with any structures he had seen--he opened his eyes and
inquired how men could ever manage to put them together.

Mr Hendricks led him through the town, until they reached a neat little
cottage standing in a nicely kept garden surrounded by a pomegranate
hedge, and full of gay flowers. In front of the house was a porch,
round the posts of which were trained several luxuriant creepers, so as
to hang in festoons from the roof. The floor was paved with Dutch
tiles, kept as polished and clean as a dinner-table.

As they entered through the wicket gate, a fair, portly-looking dame, of
a comely and cheerful countenance, her white cap concealing her smooth
light hair, appeared at the door.

"What, do my eyes deceive me? or do I really see my dear brother safe
and sound in limb and body?" she exclaimed, sticking her
knitting-needles and balls of cotton into one of her ample pockets,
ready for the affectionate embrace she was prepared to give and receive.

"Yes, indeed, you see me as strong and hearty as ever, and richer than I
have been since I first started off from home