s, and feeling in perfect
confidence that the journey would be achieved, and the necessary stores
brought back.

There were moments, though, when Dyke brightened up, and told himself
that he would do it if he tried till to-morrow morning; and at such
times he laughed--or rather tried to laugh--for it was rather a painful
process, his face being sore and the skin ready to peel away.

But at last, after escaping danger after danger by a hair's-breadth, the
great weariness of the almost interminable journey was coming to an end,
for, far away in the distance, there was a building visible through the
clear air. He could see a broad stretch of green, too, looking
delightful with waving trees, after the arid wilderness through which he
had passed; and now, in spite of his great fatigue, Dyke plucked up
courage, for the building must be Oom Morgenstern's farm, and in an hour
or so the traveller felt that the first part of his journey was at an
end.

Once or twice a feeling of doubt troubled him, but that soon passed off,
for reason told him that he could not be wrong--this must be the point
for which he had been aiming.

The bullocks began to move more briskly now, for they could see green
pasture in the far distance, and there was a moister feeling in the air,
suggestive of water not far away.

So Dyke's task grew lighter, and an hour or so later he could see a big,
heavy, grey man standing outside an untidy-looking building, littered
about with cask and case, and who saluted him as he halted his team:

"Ach! das is goot. How you vas, mein bube?"

"Here, I say," cried Dyke, as the big German shook hands with him, "who
are you calling a booby, Uncle Morgenstern?"

"Hey? You vas bube. Not gall yourself mans, long time ago to gom.
Bube ist poy, goot poy. Zo you gom vrom Kopfontein all py youzelf to
puy mealies and dea, and goffee and sugars?"

"Well, not quite all alone; I've got our Kaffir with me."

"Ach! ten: why you not make him drive die pullock? Lazy tog!"

"He's in the wagon, bad. I've had to drive the bullocks, and inspan and
outspan all by myself."

"Ach! wonterful! All py youself. Goot poy. Ant you are hot, und sehr
dursty."

"Oh yes, horribly thirsty."

"Goot! Die Frau shall make you zom of mein beaudiful goffees. Das is
good vor dursdy.--Hi!" he shouted; and a couple of Kaffir boys came from
behind a rough shed, to whom he gave instructions to outspan the oxen
and drive them to the abund