* * * * *
[Sidenote: An Early Start]
"We had better sleep in the wagon, then we shall not be disturbed so
early," cried one of the children; but we older people preferred the
idea of half a night's rest indoors to lying awake on the cartels in the
wagon listening to the tossings and complaints of others.
We had been staying by the sea, and were now to journey homewards. Long
before daylight, the noise of the oxen and clank of trek-chain told that
inspanning was begun, and those of us who were to form the wagon party
sprang out of bed and made a hurried toilet, while the Kafir women
carried off the feather-beds and blankets, to stow in their allotted
places in the wagon.
Mr. Gilbert and his wife, with the younger children, were to follow in a
four-horse Cape-cart.
"Isn't it too dark to be trekking?" he called from his window.
"The roads is good down here," said Jan. "I can see enough"; and he
hurried his leader, and got us under way without more ado.
* * * * *
We had the front curtain of the tent rolled up, and sat about on the
boxes in silence for some time, listening to the plash of the sea upon
the beach, every minute somebody giving a yawn.
"I cannot think why Lang-Jan is hurrying on so," said Constance at
last, "unless he thinks it will be a very hot day again. The oxen gave
out as we were coming down, and we had to outspan about five miles off.
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