He landed and secured quarters in Cape Town.

With his usual happy-go-lucky disposition he had never inquired before leaving New York in regard to the location of the diamond fields, and he presumed that they were situated thirty or forty miles from the Cape.

In Cape Town he became acquainted with an officer of the steamer Cambrian, named John Lord, who also had the diamond fever and intended going to the fields.
Their pursuits being similar they naturally drifted into acquaintanceship.

After a little conversation, Paul asked him how he was going up.
"Well," responded Lord, "I would go upon the regular wagon but my finances will not permit me.

It costs twelve pounds and one is only allowed twenty pounds baggage." "Twelve pounds?
Sixty dollars?
Why, good Heavens, how far is it?
I was thinking about walking up." "A little over seven hundred miles," was Lord's reply.