‘No, thank you, I do not take wine or spirits, and I have no time now to talk to you,’ replied Steve, annoyed at the scene the Jew was creating in the street, causing the passing people to stand and stare at the vehement joy of the Jew. ‘But, my frint, I must speak to you, I can’t let you go now, after looking so long for you; I tell you I have been everywhere trying to find you, from the day I saw you in Johannesburg. Oh, no, I will not let you go; you must speak to me, I have much to tell you.’ Steve saw it was no use trying to get rid of the Jew in this way. ‘Come to my room, and do not talk so loud in the street,’ said he, walking rapidly on, the Jew sticking to him like a leech. ‘Now, quick, what do you want from me?’ said Steve, as he handed the Jew a seat in his room. ‘Oh, come, you know I want to puy de gold farm of your friend--what’s his name?’ said the Jew, thinking to catch Steve off his guard. ‘Never mind his name now. As regards buying his farm, he has already declined doing business with you. Why do you pester me now about a thing that is settled?’ ‘Oh, he will sell to me, I shall give lots of money, only tell me where I can find him, that is all I ask of you?’ ‘I certainly shall not tell you where to find him, so you might as well go home.’ ‘Look here, young man, you are not rich, I will make you rich if you will only bring me to the farm, so that I can speak to him myself. I will give you one tousand pounds for only telling me the man’s name and address.’ The Jew mostly spoke with a fairly good accent, but whenever he got excited, he dropped into his Jewish accent. ‘I shall _not_ give you his name and address, not for a thousand pounds or more,’ was Steve’s reply. The Jew looked surprised, but he thought Steve must be _sticking_ out for a better offer. ‘I shall give you two thousand pounds, only for a name and address,’ he bid again. Steve shook his head. ‘Young man, don’t tread your fortune under feet; you will never get such an opportunity again; I shall make you a good final offer now. Give me the name and address, tell me where you got that sample of quartz from, and I shall give you _five thousand pound_, and if I secure it, I shall give you _ten thousand pound_, now is your chance, take it.’ Steve smiled at the persistence of the Jew. He sat thinking for a minute or two, while the Jew sat watching him eagerly. At last he said,-- ‘I will tell you what I will do. I shall go out to-morrow and see the gentleman. I will do my best with him. If I can persuade him to see you, I will tell you so the day after to-morrow; if you can succeed to buy the farm from him, I will accept your offer, if not, then I do not want your money. Good night.’ The Jew saw that he would get nothing more from Steve, but he left perfectly satisfied apparently. Steve obtained leave of absence for the following day that same evening. The following morning he left early on horseback.