Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-05-03
"Pat NalIOy" In Africa.

In Parker Gilmores very entertaining vol
ume. The Great Thirst Land, the author
describes his meeting lit was meet and drink
in this cass), with an lrishman on his WHY to
her Transvaal country.
The monotony of our journey was broken
by most amusing chase. The old pointer,
who had struck the trail of something, COM
menced to give tongue ; every dog in conse-
quence rushed to her assistance, and COM
menced beating the heavy grass with such
care and assiduity that it was perfectly GER
tain to all that some wild animal was in the
vicinity. In consequence the wagons were
halted, and drivers and kafiirs alike went to
discover what could be the unknown beast.
After time hole WAS found. larger than
an ordinary badGer-earth, and the zeal of the
dogs over it, and their desire to get into it,
were truly absurd. However. big brutes like
Bonte and Bob had no chance. but the little
pointer had, so she bit the earth, scrapej
with her feet. and snapped at every dog that
came near enough to impede her movements.
William went for the pick, and having dis
covered the direction in which the hole led,
dug down upon it. He had excavated about
two feet when out he Jumped, the pointer
took his place, scratched for moment, then
made grab and holding on like grim death.
partially dragged from the shelter large
black body. Next Bonte and then Bob got n
grip OF the unknown beast, and between
them all it was dragged up on the welt. 1t
was II regular repetition of ''pull devil. pull
baker :" the plucky little pointer if anything
displaying the most venom. The smell that
arose around the scene of combat was most
fearful, almost rs bad az an American
skunk's. Between blows from the whip
handles, and worrying from the dogs, the un-
fortunate was ultimately killed. 1t turned
n Ina a larua ta1 or family 70
if not over, the size of full-grown otter.
The dog, III course got saturated with this
dreadful hquid used Ms n weapon of defence
aul they smclt SO abominably as for davs to
perfume the wagons.
After our midday meal, | started forward
on horseback to find out whether the ford of
lLc Naal river was passable, or whether it
would he necessary to go l,wer down the
stream to where there was punt. g..
The nature of the country was much
changed Instead at tie flat welt covered
with grass, the whole surface of the country
is n succession of hills clothed with dwarf
timber. In consequence of this alteration in
the landscape lost my way, and wandered
some time yet hoping to find a track leading
to the river which was aware must be due
north
At length struck tie trail of a wagon,
which following up brought me first to n
cattle kraal then through an orchard, and
afterwards to two houses, one inhabited the
other going through the course of construc-
tion. | went to the door of the former. and
there met an old man l asked for rIter.
and he shouted to some one within, "Idter,"
with stentorian lungs At length an aged
woman came out. looked at me, gave Il grunt
and turned on her heel My appearance. it
was quite certain, did not please her. From
her EXPRESSION | WAS satisfied that | should
have to 90 without drink. | was about to
give up the task us hopeless, when she came
again to the door, took a long stare and
snorted, then retired into the interior of her
dwelling.
She was the most cal-looking old wo-
man | had ever seen her height was equal
to her breadth. and round her face hung
fringe of diminutive white curls. For n
quarter of an hour waited still neither she
nor the water came. In the adjoining tene
ment heard hammering, and an occasional
snatch of "Ihe Wearing OF the Green, then
n pause. Soon, in a deep sonorous voice,
broke out