The glamour of prospecting : $b wanderings of a South African prospector in search of copper, gold, emeralds, and diamondsCornell, Fred C. (Frederick Carruthers)
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The glamour of prospecting : $b wanderings of a South African prospector in search of copper, gold, emeralds, and diamonds
Cornell, Fred C. (Frederick Carruthers)
Mines and mineral resources -- South Africa; Prospecting; South Africa -- Description and travel
On the morning of Saturday, August 15th, I washed my last load,
dismantled the windlasses, and brought the light tools and gear down
from the mine. As I went up to take a last look round, two of the
troopers rode up from the post, and I took them to the international
beacon on the edge of the escarpment, near where I had been
working, and pointed out to them the whole line of these infrequent
boundary-posts through the wild, solitary, pathless country south,
towards my old prospecting-ground in the Noup Hills, near the Orange.
They were new men, and did not know where the actual boundary lay in
that direction. The day was scorching-hot and clear, and I was able to
pick out many of the actual cairns, but on the whole vast expanse not a
solitary soul could be seen on either territory. We had hoped to locate
the German patrols, but unfortunately their post at Nakob was hidden
by low ranges, as it lay in a sand-river below the general level of
the country, though its position was easily identified by a prominent
and abrupt granite kopje which stood in close proximity to it, but on
British territory--the international beacons being plainly visible
slightly to the westward of its base.
This bold hill was indeed the most striking landmark for many miles,
and though I had never climbed it, I had passed its base often on
either side, and believed that it must command a view of the German
police post. I therefore suggested that we should make our way there
that afternoon, when we could not only find out the strength of the
Germans at the post, but possibly get some photos of them.
The troopers agreed, and later I rode down to the camp with them, left
my horse there, and as none of them would accompany me I went on alone,
promising to flash a signal to them when I got on top. Naturally I had
nothing to fear, for I had no intention of going into German territory
or of letting the Germans see me, and I took care to leave my arms at
the camp, so that, should their patrols catch me, I had nothing more
incriminating than a camera, and a little shaving-mirror to signal with.
I had about two miles to go, making a slight detour to keep in cover of
the thick _melk-bosch_, and aiming at keeping the hill between me and
the Germans. I again noted the beacons; there was no doubt as to the
whole hill being in our territory.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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