The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-07-06
TIE EEENZNG story
On the Veldt.

fNAddl was 10 De seen OF q UaDltdl1OHs
not a tree or shrub so far as the eye
could reach; only the ochre-brown earth
stretching away and at last ending in
the same level sl1y-lines to the north
and south and east and west, and
crossing the sun blistered waste one
little animate dot. the canvas-covered
wagon of Boer family trekkiug with
the sheep and cattle in search of
watercourse that had not bred up.
For three days had the dot been NOV
ing across the WaterleSS waste, and for
three days had the sun left the thirsty
skyline in the east, only to glare down
pitilessly until it dropped behind the
equally thirsty skyline in the west; and
now the tongues of the cattle were
hanging from their mouths and the
sheep bleated piteousIy, and the small
quantity Of water brought along for
the trekkers' own use was exhausted.
BY the end of the second day they
had expected to find water, but the
stream counted on had proved but
dusty, sun-dried depression. and for
twenty-four hours they had followed its
course, hoping to find some sink-hole
from which the water had not dried.
Now they were pondering the necessity
Of seeking the next watercourses yet
another twenty-four hours away; if
that were dry also, what then?
Other families had trekked over this
veldt before them. and more would fol-
4OW5 AOE tAIE Was the annual C0SLJ4lA
When the dry season came ans burned
every vestige of green from the home
grazing lands, the Beers would load
their families into the great wagons,
drawn bymany spans of oxen, and dTiv-
ing the sheep and cattle before them,
seek the Water-courses that had not
dried up. And there they would re-
main as long as the drought lasted, I'M
til weeks of steady and violent rains
should come and transform the dry,
barren veldt into a tropical garden
Then they would trek back home.
Long before the sun rose for a new
day of burning heat and thirst, the dot
of wagons and animals was ready for
depa rture. But even as it began to
crawl away from the river bed that
was dry toward the one that might
contain water, several of the mounted
Beers who were circling about the cat
tie deserted something less than third
Of a mile away
In the dim light they at first thought
it a wild animal, and examined their
rifles; them as the object drew near,
they made it out to be a man, and
that he was on foot instead Of horse
back. But it was not until he had ap-
preached to within a few rods that
they discovered he was very young,
scarcely more than boy, and that he
was an Outlander.
Now there Is nothing more obnox-
ious to a Boer than an Outlander or
Witlander-alien. He feels that there
coming into the country threatens his
institutions, and that the very object
Of their coming is wrong The treas
ures of the earth belong to the earth,
and should noe be wrested away. The
hustle and desire for change, for
wealth, for Investigating, even the
progressive ideas of these outsiders are
causes for suspicion and dislike. So
when a Oh Gerry eHello!" came from the
wayfarer, their answer was but grun
and unintelligible grl1nt.
All this time the train was moving
forward, but slowly, for oxen are plod-
ding travellers The boy was obliged to
pause for the animals to pass. and he
watched the long, struggling line with
the interest of a newcomer. After tn g
cattle and sheep and their guard came
the creaking, unwieldly wagons, with
their inspanned oxen. Beside the first
Of these wagons road large, broad
faced man whose white hair and air Of
authority proclaimed him the head OF
the family AS he came opposite the
boy stepped forward.
Hello" he called again, cheerfully-
The man looked down at him, his
face hardening. But he stopped
s'Wen,'' he said harshIy what do you
want? Isn't it a little strange for a boy
to be crossing the veidt without a
horse p
'.Oh. I don't know the boy answer
ed, carelessly; Il walked up from the
coast three months ago You see, 4
didn't have money enough for horse
and a good outfit, and needed the out
at most. Besides. I was raised on
farm and am used to walking. A man
I met carried my outfit to the mines.
and 1 pegged on behind"
And now you are going pack home,
empty handed?" the Boer asked. sar-
castically.
mo, indeed quickly; Il didn't come
here for fun. I'm going to college
sometime, and that takes money; and
I've got half q dozen brothers and sis
ters who are planning for different
things. It was easiest for me to leave,
so all of them put in their savings tow
ard my expenses OF course don't ex-
pect to get rich,' frankly, but I shall
work hard to take back enough to get
US all a good start"
The Boer grunted
why are you going back then. with
out your out6t2'' he demanded.
t'Cot to have something to eat" the
boy answered easily. Il went IN the
mines first, but the only opening was to
work for somebody else. or to buy Il
claim at a fabulous price, so I shoul-
dered my outfit and struck of prospect
ing. 1 kept it up three weeks. and
now" his eyes flashing eagerly into the
grim ones above him. IT believe I've
found a spot that will turn me in a lot
of money. But I'm out Of provisions.
so I must go back after a supply.
don't suppose you have any you would
SELF"
mo" shortly. but where's your out
ftp
oh. I've concealed that in the sand
I guess it'll be all right. Anyway, there
was. nothing else to do But I dtdn
stop you to talk about myself" color
ing a little. II wanted to say that your
cattle are awful thirsty. At home we
would drop everything to furnish such
cattle with water quick.
III
Even If there was no water between
four days journey?n he asked con-
temptuously. 'You Witlanders who
would do all things can make rivers as
you need them, I suppose 90
There Is the water course only one
days journey behind YOU the boy re-
torted, land your cattle show they
were not attended to there. No matter
the hurry a man may be in, it is a
crime to NEGLECT beasts as Won have