The Commissioners, whose work is entirely among the native population, requiring the greatest tact and patience, besides a perfect knowledge of the language, lead, perhaps, the most arduous, as well as the most lonely, existences. Most of the year is occupied in making tours of inspection through their vast districts; they live continually in the open, in constant contact with Nature, and for weeks together they never see a white man. Almost unattended, they move fearlessly in little-known places, among an uncivilized if friendly people, and to some extent they have their lives in their hands. And yet they do not regard their solitary existence as anything to occasion surprise or admiration; they realize the importance of their mission, and wet seasons, bad attacks of fever, and impaired health, do not quench their energy or their keenness for the great work of development. It is true, indeed, that one and all live in anticipation of the biennial holiday, of the seven months spent "at home," and that all events in their lives are dated from those precious days in England; and then, when the time comes to return to duty, they probably depart without a murmur, and very few, if any, would exchange a life in an office, or that of any ordinary profession in England, for the one, untrammelled and free, they lead in the wilds of Africa. As distractions in this life which they love, they can only look to the weekly mail and the goodly supply of illustrated papers from home, the attentive perusal of which has made them almost as conversant as the veriest Cockney with all the people of note and the fair women of the time, besides giving them an intimate knowledge of passing events. As hosts they are perfection, and all they have is at their guests' disposal. Their incentive to the great work for ever going on, not only in their district, but in so many far-away localities where the Union Jack flies, is the knowledge that the dark clouds of oppression, plunder, and crime, are, in consequence of their efforts, rolling away as mists disappear before the rising sun. FOOTNOTES: [44] Some parts of this chapter appeared in the Christmas number of the _Pall Mall Magazine_, 1903, and in the _Bulawayo Chronicle_ of the same date. [45] Introduction to Mr. Grogan's work, "From the Cape to Cairo." [46] Sir Charles Metcalfe, Bart., consulting engineer of the Chartered Company, and Mr. G. Pauling, contractor for the same company. [47] R.T. Coryndon, Esq. [48] "Life and Adventures in South-East Africa," by F.C. Selous. [49] _Wacht-een-bietze._ [50] The seat of government has since been transferred to Livingstone, on the Zambesi. [51] A kind of pheasant. APPENDIX I MAFEKING RELIEF FUND _Distribution Committee_. LIEUTENANT-COLONEL C.B. VYVYAN, Commandant of Mafeking. MR. C.G. BELL, Resident Magistrate. MR. A.H. FREND, Mayor. Total amount made available for distribution £29,267