Camping Out in South Africa.
We were six in the little party which started to go to the mountain to camp out. We trudged along with our bundles up the steep road and through woods until we came to our hut. This hut was made of poles interlaced with brush-wood. When we got there the first thing we discovered was that some cattle had been there and eaten the green leaves off, but that was soon put right. We had a lot of food with us, and when we ran short a native boy we had engaged brought up some more. All our crockery was of tin, as all other kinds would break, and these always stood just outside the door.
One night three of us decided to go to town. The other three would not come, so they staid and looked after the things while we were away. We started at eight and got back at ten. When we went down we were all dressed in our mountain suits, which were composed of football jerseys and strong trousers, and these were pretty full of mud. Our visit to town was shortened by the mist coming down, and we had to hurry up for fear of it catching us at a very rocky place we had to climb; but we got up just as it reached the top. Meanwhile the three in the cave were having some fun. We were just gone when they heard something in the tin mugs. One took up the gun and shot as the thing jumped away, but only succeeded in wounding it, as we discovered next morning by the blood-stains on the bough of the tree. We staid ten days in the hut, and enjoyed the time thoroughly. The last day it drizzled, so we gave up the plan we had of going down in the night, and went at mid-day.
I am a stamp collector, and would like to exchange stamps with any one who would do so.
R. MacWilliam, Jun.
Gill College, Somerset East, Cape Colony, South Africa.