We were an odd pair of scallywags to look at, but as South African as a wait-a-bit bush.

Both of us had ready-made tweed suits, grey flannel shirts with flannel collars, and felt hats with broader brims than they like in Europe.

I had strong-nailed brown boots, Peter a pair of those mustard-coloured abominations which the Portuguese affect and which made him hobble like a Chinese lady.

He had a scarlet satin tie which you could hear a mile off.

My beard had grown to quite a respectable length, and I trimmed it like General Smuts'.