"Good morning! Why are you leaving already? I want communication with
Kroonstad!"
"Good morning, President. We had orders to leave at once, but there is
an operator in the office still; he will remain till the last moment."
"Very well; good-bye!" And off he went, the dust clinging to his long
brown beard.
We drove on, our four horses trotting merrily along. We were five in the
vehicle, however, including the driver and his little boy, and presently
the weight began to tell. After the first halt one of the leaders
failed.
"He won't make it much further," said the inspector. "Better turn him
loose and see what can be done with three."
"I have a better plan," said our other companion. Stopping the cart, he
unharnessed the animal, passed the rope through its mouth, vaulted on
its back, and rode to a farmhouse some distance away. Presently he
returned, bringing another horse, which he had obtained in exchange for
our exhausted animal.
Thus reinforced, we pushed on, arriving at Senekal at ten that night.
The only hotel was crowded; we were glad to sleep on the parlour floor.
After breakfast the next morning we continued our journey, passing group
after group of burghers on their way home.
It was truly painful to see these poor fellows struggling along, their
horses scarce able to walk and themselves in a condition not much
better.
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