island vines did not produce a solitary grape. This result
is one of the triumphs of the arts of advanced civilisation.
What a blessing it is that we have so many ways and means
of defeating the shortcomings of nature!
The bulk of the sugar crop is exported to Lisbon, where
it finds a ready market free of duty.
The idea that Madeira possesses an admirable climate for
affections of the chest has exploded since the experiment
was made of sending out a number of patients in different
stages of consumption from one of the London hospitals.
The result proved that the advantages of the place were not
equal to those of other health resorts nearer home, which
were atmospherically much less humid, and consequently
more conducive to the cure, or partial cure, of lung complaints.
We steamed away from Madeira, and shortly touched
at St. Helena, which I would call the cabbage garden of
the Atlantic, were it not almost profane to speak harshly of
a spot which holds so prominent and hallowed a place in
the world’s eventful history. A detachment of the 58th
Foot was quartered here at the time.
“ How glad I am that this is the last day on board ship! ”
was my mental exclamation when we were thinning the end
of our voyage.
Soon I found myself in Cape Town, walking under the
shade of Table Mountain. What a satisfaction it was to
think that at last I had actually arrived in Africa—the land
of so many early visions of adventure ! But then there was
little of the charm of romance in the proceedings, although
a thousand thoughts ran through my mind relating to what
I should do, and how I should do it.
What information could be gathered was a first consideration.
Therefore I would telegraph to the farthest point
reached by the sensitive wire, and draw interior news from
the distant dwellers in the land of sparkling gems.
An answer came, flashed back over the dry karroo:
“ Hunters expected out shortly. Waggon and oxen reasonable.”
A <rn/m I tried, and from another source got the
quick reply: “ Hunters not expected out for some time.”
This was awkward. Yet another effort must be made, but
this time I would be patient, for I would have to tap a more
distant source.
s Suddenly it occurred to me, “ Where is Selous, the great
hunter and traveller, whose admirable book ‘ A Hunter’s
Wanderings in Africa ’ had pleasantly wiled away my leisure
hours when on the shores of the great Pacific near the
¡Golden Gate ? I must find him, for no better counsellor
; could guide early steps into this land of mystery. He
alone, in the meantime, will be the object of my search.”
i Another touch of the electric key, and a message was in the
[stage coach office at the Diamond Fields, with instructions
'that it should be forwarded to Klerksdorp, the principal
[trading and equipping station for traders north of the Yaal
river. This was done, and I awaited results.
| Going to the telegraph office I found the following
message from Mr. James Leask, merchant at Klerksdorp, in
the Transvaal Republic: “ Drought raging in interior.
[Hunters cannot get out. Will be out on first rains.”
r An introductory letter to Colonel Montgomery, on the
Istaff of General Sir Leicester Smyth, commanding the forces
I in South Africa, placed me in good hands. In a little time
I found myself luxuriating in the groves and glades of
[lovely Wynberg, cheered by the most delightful society
that one could possibly desire to meet. Pleasant recollections
crowd thickly as I write, but they have an individual
leharm which cannot be transferred to the reader; although