Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1876-05-20

II
near it. l asked lnan
whittier all these people were going
"'To the diamOnd fields he re
piled. ..-...-
I" To the diamond fields?' l said
Why what do you mean? you're jo
king with me-
"Why should 1 joke with you j.?
said the man; Il should get no good
by that
"sBut are they really fields of dia-
monds p asked.
That's not altogether the way OF
putting it, replied the man. Il didn't
say fields of diamons, but fields where
there are diamonds. Why where
could you have come from that you
didn't know thatH
"'L come from Egypt l replied,
and Icertainly have heard Of diamond
fields. We formerly had in our coun-
try great traveller whose name was
and he found out some dia-
mOnd fields; but unfortunately he did
not leave correct description OF the
locality, aud we have never been able
to fiHd them SINCE
"'Well, my dear fellow. you'll have
no difficulty in finding them now. ALI
you've got to do is to 20 aud see them
for yourself.'
"sBut will they allow me to go?'
[ asked.
Certainly" replied the man.
You've as much right to 20 as another.
But see the bullocks are ready, and
we shall be goingotf directly, perhaps
we may meet there. If so, as you
are foreigner, will show you all
worth seeing: good-by.'
81 thanked hun, and the cart drove
on. rr
''In the evening told the captain
of our ship all had heard, aud how
much should like if possible, to see
these diamond fields.
"'And what ls to hinder you, Has,
san?' he said: If you wish lit,
pray go and see them. We shall
not be ready to go to sea again
under three months, 50 you
will have plenty of time to 60 and
come back again if you like. Only
remember this, shall expect you to
bring back with you a beautiful neck
lace for my wife; you can easily do
that, you know All you have to do
is to pick up the diamonds and put
them iu your pocket, when you find
them that Is, if you don't trespass
OIL any other mans ground &
"Although was somewhat nettled
at the captains manner, for he SEEM
ed to be concealing something, or
rather be spoke in such q jeering,
jesting sort of way, l determined to
make the attempt; so inquired whell
another bullock-cart would bs start.
/ q fs,Su
things necessary for the Journey,
started of for the diamond fields.
| "My companiOns.in the wagon were
a good-natured set of fellows, al.
though they did joke me about the
enormous amount OF treasure should
find in the fields. This certainly an.
noyed me at first, but intime l go1
used to it, and took it as n matter o.
course, and all went on smoothly
enough. Well. we continued oul
Journey onwards day after day, till
thought we should never arrive
Fortunately, the weather was fine
and the climate delightful, so we pu>
up without difficulty with the ha rd
ships and inconveniences of the road
"When within about three day B o
the diamond fields, l noticed two Of
three persons with sore eyes, and
asked one OF my companions til,
cause of the malady. 80. z.
Il am glad you have mentioned
the subject, us l shall now be able K
put you on your guard he replied
People, when they come suddenly OF
the fields, are sometimes struck al
most blind by the glare which arise
from the rays of the sun shining OF
the diamonds. 1t dazzles them dread
fully, aud it is u long time before the,
Iget used to 1t. l intend myself Il
put q handkerchief over my eye
when we get near -
''This appeared to me wonderful
indeed, aud | determined to tax,
every precaution. However, thre,
days afterwards, l found his sta
mont, like many others he had made
ii not fabulous, to have been grOssl,
exaggerated.
lone evening, alter a very lou!
and hard days journey through
most uninteresting country, we saw
before us a number of tents aud hut
spread at different distances ON
space of ground ample enough for
large city. l inquired Of my frien,
what place it was. ..-.
"'Well, Hassan,' he said, now II
!. tell you candidly, those are the dia
mond tieIds' ''
"'You don't mean to say / ex
claimed. that people pick up dia
moDds here3'
IT'S fact, I assure you, Hassan
they have NO other occupation,' h.
said; 'all the industry aud trade O
| hn g.,
! shops aud stores. is comprised il
searching for, and selling diamonds
do you know of anybody who
ever found one9' inquired.
eyes my own brother has fouu,
, II great many and sent them off t.
Cape Town tor sale,' he replied. AN,
you may do the same if you've luck.
Can l begin searching for then
on any spot L piease!' asked. ~
:" Not exactly was his reply
People are somewhat prejudice'
, here, and when they've bought o
the Government piece of ground
they consider they've as mucn righ
! to the diamonds found on it as AN
} farmer would have to the crops grow
ing on his own estate.'
} Il SUPPOSE remarked, 'that tn
, cost of a piece Of ground would b
very high!' ,t
On the contrary he replied; i
would be very little indeed. A piec
, of ground SO large that you coul,
, not search the whole of it in less tha
month, would cost you few gol.
pieces. But you must understan,
that if you happen to hit on spo
! where there are no diamonds, you los
| the money you paid for the ground.
But can sell the diamonds W bel
l have found them!' l asked.
) "'Oh, yes without any difficulty
, was his reply. There are severa
, dealers in the fields who will purchas
for ready money any quantity yo,
} may bring them.'
, "'Can you tell me where | shoult
apply for piece of ground?' l thel
. asked. Il should much like to com
. mence the search at once, and thel
return to the ship
Il cannot tell you the dwelling o
the officer of whom the land is to b,
bought he replied but to-morrow v
l will Introduce you to my brother
and,as friend of mine Pm sure he'll
give you every Information in hi.
power
"That evening we slept under Z,
small tent, and the next morning m,
friend introduced me to his brother
who received me in very kind man
ner, aud at once offered to conduct
me- fO the off rioI uLo bod tha ,,, 81,