y suggestive of heavenly peace and rest.

"Glorious!" exclaimed Considine, reining up to a walking pace. "_How_
delicious while it lasts, and yet how evanescent! Does it not resemble
my life here? _That_ cannot last."

Charlie was not given to moralising, but somehow he could not help it
that day. With an unusually profound sigh he shook the reins and
cantered towards the lake. It was not the first time he had seen it,
and he knew full well that it would not bar his progress. Even as he
gave vent to the sigh the glassy waters trembled, undulated, retreated,
and, under the influence of a puff of air, slowly melted away, leaving
the waterless karroo in its place.

Truly it is no wonder that thirsty travellers in African deserts have,
from time immemorial, rushed towards these phantom waters of the
well-known _mirage_, to meet with bitter disappointment! The
resemblance is so perfect that any one might be deceived if unacquainted
with the phenomenon. [See note 2.]

On coming within sight of the farm, Considine observed columns of thick
smoke rising from various parts of the homestead. With a vague feeling
of alarm he put spurs to his horse. Drawing quickly nearer he perceived
that the smoke arose from the garden, and that the people seemed to be
bustling about in a state of violent activity. Stretching out at full
speed, he was soon at the garden gate, and found that all the bustle,
energising, and shouting went on at the end farthest from the gate. As
he threw the reins over a post and sprang in he could see through the
trees that every one in the establishment was engaged in a wild frantic
fight, in which sticks and stones, bushes and blankets, were used
indiscriminately. The smoke that rose around suggested fire on the
plains, and he ran in haste to render assistance.

It was a goodly garden that he passed through. Fruit-trees of every
kind were so laden with golden treasures that many of the branches,
unable to bear the strain, had given way and the superabundance trailed
upon the earth. Vegetables of all kinds covered the borders with
luscious-looking bulbs and delicious green leaves, while grapes,
currants, figs, etcetera, half smothered their respective bushes.
Through this rich display of plenty Considine dashed, and, on reaching
the wall at the further end, found Conrad Marais with his wife and
daughter, sons, servants, and slaves, engaged in furious conflict with--
locusts!

The enemy had co