Off to the Wilds | Page 9

it is quite likely that we may, either of us, get a
touch of fever. Besides, we might meet with an accident; and for my
part, as I have a little knowledge of medicine and surgery, I know
nothing more painful than to find people sick and to be unable to give
them the remedy that would make them well. We shall be sure to find
some sick people amongst the natives, and they have a wonderful
appreciation of the white man's medicine."
"Well, look here," said Jack, "if you'll shut the box up very tightly, I'll
consent to come."
Mr Rogers smiled, and did shut the little box up very tightly, after
which the preparations went on; and it was perfectly wonderful to see
what that waggon would hold.
There was a moderate case of wines and spirits, also to act as medicines;
several dozens of coloured blankets for presents; waterproof sheets. A
cask of paraffin oil was swung under the floor, and by it a little
cooking-stove, while beside these swung a long box containing spades
and shovels, for digging the waggon-wheels out of holes, tools for
repairs, wrenches, and jacks and axes, till it seemed as if there would be
no end to the stores and material.
Then leather slings were nailed up under the tilt for the rifles and guns,
so that they might always be ready to hand; for they were going into the

land of wild beasts and savage men. Above all, their stores had to be so
packed that their positions could be remembered, and they could be
obtained when wanted, and yet leave space for blankets to be spread,
and the travellers find room to sleep beneath the tilt upon the top.
The preparations went on; the black driver who was to manage the
oxen busied himself along with the foreloper, whose duty it is to walk
with the foremost oxen, in getting their great whips in trim, and in
seeing the trek-tow and dissel-boom--as the great trace and pole of the
waggon are called--were perfect; and they practised the team as well.
Many of the readers may not know that for an expedition like this,
where the waggon party expect to be travelling for months, perhaps for
a year, through a country where roads are almost unknown, and where
the great heavily-laden, but wonderfully strongly-made waggon, has to
be dragged over rocks, through swamps, and into and out of rivers, a
team of fourteen, sixteen, or, as in this case, even twenty oxen, will be
yoked to the great chain or rope called the trek-tow. For some of the
poor animals are sure to succumb during the journey; or they may be
killed for food, the loss being not so much felt when a superabundant
number is taken.
With the leading pair of oxen walks the foreloper, whose duty it is to
choose the best road, and to avoid stones and marshy places where the
wheels would sink in; and the success of an expedition depends a good
deal upon having a good foreloper.
In this case Mr Rogers had secured a trusty Kaffir, who had been
frequently into the interior; but his appearance was against him, for he
had lost one eye, from a thrust of a bullock's horn. But Dinny said that
the one left was as good as two, for when Dirk looked at you, it seemed
to go right through your head and tickle the hair behind.
Off to the Wilds--by George Manville Fenn
CHAPTER FOUR.
INSPANNING FOR THE TRIP.

The eventful morning at last! Bright, clear, and the dew lying thick
upon the thirsty earth. All the arrangements had been made; the
waggon stood ready. Peter the driver was upon the box in front of the
waggon; the boys were mounted, and a couple of neighbours had
ridden over to see them start; but to the infinite vexation of Dick and
Jack, the young Zulus had not returned. They had started off on the day
when they killed the coranne, and that was the last that had been seen
of them.
"Now, Dinny, you may let the dogs loose," cried Dick, who looked
brighter and better, his father thought, than he had been for days. Dinny
at once obeyed; when, yelping and barking with delight, the four
dogs--Pompey, Caesar, Crassus, and Rough'un--came bounding about,
leaping up at their masters, and taking short dashes out into the plain
and back.
"Where are those two boys?" said Mr Rogers suddenly. "I haven't seen
them for days."
"Dinny offended them," said Jack petulantly, as he patted the arched
neck of Stockings. "He told them they shouldn't go."
"Sure I only hinted to the black young gintlemen that it was just
possible the masther might lave them behind, when they took
themselves