The Gold Kloof

Оглавление

H. A. Bryden. The Gold Kloof

Chapter I. SCHOOL DAYS

Chapter II. BAMBOROUGH FARM

Chapter III. UP-COUNTRY LIFE

Chapter IV. THE GOLD SPOOR

Chapter V. THE TREK BEGINS

Chapter VI. THE SHADOWERS AND THE SHADOWED

Chapter VII. ADVENTURES IN THE VELDT

Chapter VIII. THE ELEPHANT COUNTRY

Chapter IX. IN THE THIRST-LAND

Chapter X. TOM'S STORY. – THE BABOON BOY

Chapter XI. THE BERG DAMARAS

Chapter XII. THE LION CAMP

Chapter XIII. GUY IS MISSING

Chapter XIV. POESKOP TO THE RESCUE

Chapter XV. THE KLOOF

Chapter XVI. GATHERING GOLD

Chapter XVII. THE SHADOWERS' ATTACK

Chapter XVIII. THE LAST OF KARL ENGELBRECHT

Chapter XIX. HOMEWARD BOUND

Отрывок из книги

At Cape Town Guy was met by his uncle, who had come down country to welcome him. The greeting was an affectionate one on both sides, for uncle and nephew were much attached to one another.

"My word, Guy," said Mr. Blakeney, as he shook his nephew by the hand, and looked him up and down, "you have grown since I saw you at home two years ago. What height are you now?"

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Mr. Blakeney had had his Cape cart and four horses sent in to meet them, and next morning at dawn they started on the forty-mile drive south-westward which was to land them at Bamborough Farm. Taking with them their gunnery and some ammunition, as well as Mr. Blakeney's and Guy's portmanteaus, they left behind the rest of Guy's kit and impedimenta, which were to be sent on, with some goods and farm implements, by ox-wagon. Having driven for some two and a half hours, they outspanned for breakfast. Peetsi, Mr. Blakeney's Bechuana groom, quickly collected some thorn wood and made a fire; they cooked a kettle of coffee, fried some tinned sausages in a tiny saucepan, got out bread, butter, and a tin of marmalade, and made an excellent meal. Never, thought Guy, had he enjoyed a breakfast so much. Meanwhile the horses, on being unharnessed, had indulged in the invariable roll which all Cape nags make a point of on being off-saddled or outspanned, and were knee-haltered. This operation was closely observed by Guy, at his uncle's suggestion. It is an extremely useful one, which any newcomer to the South African veldt ought to make himself master of. Knee-haltered, the horse can graze comfortably, yet cannot wander far away. Guy watched Peetsi's operations, and then, after one or two vain attempts, secured two of the horses himself.

"Well done, Guy!" said his uncle approvingly. "Nothing like picking up these things as soon as possible. You'll do, I can see. Once a man learns how to knee-halter a nag, he never forgets it. It's like running or skating, or riding or dancing-once mastered, never forgotten."

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