Page:Seven Years in South Africa v1.djvu/228

CHAPTER VI.

RETURN JOURNEY TO DUTOITSPAN.

 

Departure from Wonderfontein—Potchefstroom again—A mistake—Expenses of transport—Rennicke’s Farm—A concourse of birds—Gildenhuis—A lion-hunt—Hallwater Farm and Saltpan—A Batlapin delicacy—Rough travelling—Hebron—Return to Dutoitspan—The Basutos.

 

After much enjoyment of the natural objects associated with the place, and with very pleasant recollections of its kindly-disposed owner, I prepared to quit Wonderfontein, which I had determined should be the limit of my first excursion, and to make my way back to Dutoitspan. As far as Bloemhof, I determined to take the same route by which I had come.

Being anxious that it should be by daylight that we recrossed the marsh which we had experienced to be so perilous by the bridge over the Mooi, at Potchefstroom, I resolved to push on all night, with the exception of a brief interval of rest.

During the period of the short halt, I was sitting almost lost in reverie, when I was roused by hearing what struck me as some peculiarly rich notes. One of my people drew my attention to a couple of large