My destination was a farm where Mr .-- -- was believed by the railway people to be that day.
"The first half of the ride we were cooked in the sun; then darkness came on--black darkness; then some ominous drops of rain, which were soon _sheets_ instead of _drops_, and such thunder and lightning as I never want to hear or see again in this life.
"I was afraid we should get lost in the dark; for, although it was called a 'main road,' it was in reality merely a _track_--not that in many places--with any amount of 1 ft., 2 ft., 3 ft., and 4 ft.
holes (no, I draw the line at the 3 ft.

holes, upon consideration); but my driver, who dignified himself with the title of 'mail contractor,' was sure that his horses could find the way in the darkest darkness, as they do the journey each way twice every week.
But when the darkness got so dense that we could not even see the horses except when it lightened, even he grew doubtful, remembered that he _himself_ had not driven them along that road for more than eight months (though his boy had done), and he thought that we had better stand still where we were till the storm was over and the moon rose; but I knew the moon would not rise till 10.30, and we were already about eighteen miles from anywhere! "My entreaties that he should proceed met with success, and the result that we lost the road twice, got into a deep hole and capsized--the whole caboose.
"When at last we reached the farm, it was to be met with the announcement that Mr .-- -- had left there the previous day, and was believed now to be about twenty-six miles (three hours nearly) further on.
"I was soaked to the skin, as hungry as a hunter, and dead beat into the bargain.

The farm manager insisted that I must stay the night--it was imposible to go on in that storm--and go on in the morning.
"This is a little world.

Mr .-- -- had mentioned my name in speaking to him of The General's visit to Johannesburg, and he had remembered it as that of the only Salvation Army Officer from whom he had ever received a letter.

Ten years ago or more he had addressed some inquiry or other to Headquarters, and I had written him in reply.
"The next morning I drove on to -- ---, and found Mr .-- --in his orchard.