'
This left the matter in an unfortunate state altogether. The German firm,
managing the emigration of the families, reported to Sir George, 'The
scheme must fall through, unless we have twenty thousand pounds at once.'
'I was in London,' Sir George mentioned, 'at the break between my two
Governorships of South Africa. I went carefully into the matter,
realising all that was at stake, and I gave the assurance, "You shall
have the money this afternoon." I had never raised a large amount before,
but I concluded that the place to go to was the City of London. I had
several thousands with my bankers, on which I could lay hands, and I
supposed they would enable me, by some method of interest, to get the
remainder.
'On the road to the City I met a connexion of mine, also a banker. He
asked me what I was about, and I told him. "Why don't you come to us?" he
said. "I have no money with you," I replied; "and never had." "No," was
his response; "but you need not pass us by in this matter. I should like
to help you; come and draw a cheque for twenty thousand pounds."'
That cheque was drawn, and South Africa extracted from a grave social
difficulty. The emigrants became an admirable settlement, and most
honourably made good the outlay which they had occasioned.
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