Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1879-11-27

zinc roof.
Round three parts OF the house runs
deep veranda, which gives shade and
coolRess to the rooms. and IL often made
TO serve the purposes Of . court for the
administration Of justice and the trans
action of business. The rooms. which
are large and lofty, are nuboarded and
uacarpefeds Neither the unsighfIiness
nor the discomfort Of this arrangement
Is fell, a.. by = Kaiir process Of ulixine
I 4zkk ether mats ials the Nas|rs are
quite smooth, hard and level. sid made
70 resemble an olive-gTeen marbIe--an
extremely pleasant contrast to the eye
affected BY the glare OF a brazen sky out
side.
The rooms contain comfortable fnTni-
ture and numerous skins-mostiy tro-
phies of the chase. One cheerful apart
ment is adorned by an artistic arrange
ment Of the sportsman's favorite guns
and weapons, which are all specimens
Of the highest European workmanship,
and many of them presents from men
who came from England TO the great
hunter for purposes of sport.
AS a host, TO guests with whom he
finds himself in sympathy. Mr.. Dunn is
charming, communicative on all topics
except those OF native administration
and policy: and, as may be presumed
OF man who has led life of adven-
ture, he never fails to be interesting.
He has been charged with habit Of
reticence amounting even to taciturni-
" and moroseness: but those who 80
Judge him have probably never seen
hIm at The head of bis table, dispensing
hospitality that has become proven
bal; pouring out, over pipe and tum-
bier of the choicest brandy, in endless
succession, story after story OF native
warfare, or perlous adventure and hair
breadth escapes, in all Of which he has
had share.
The tales are told with unassumed
modesty, and with that peculiar dra-
matte emphasis and coloring which he
has uncOnsciously learned from those
most graphic of racon!eurs-the Zulus.
The narration of such an endless stock
of personal adventure would presup-
pose a greater number of years than
Mr.. Dunn has lived; but whatever his
years may be. he does not look 40. A
temperate, hardy, outdoor life is the Sc
cret Of his vigorous and youthful sp-
pearance. He rises very early, and US
ually occupies himself till 9-hiS break
fast hour-with listening 10 the Tndunas
or headmen of his tribe, who, squat;ing
round in a circle before the verandah-
the whole time slowly passing round
and round the indispensable snuf-box
furnish him with a minute account
Of all that is going on, not alone in his
neighborhood, but in the surrounding
country.
Thus there is scarcely any movement
made in any part of ZuIuland, plot
hatched, an intrigue carried on, a muir
dor committed, a marriage celebrated,
or child born in his neighborhood. that
he does not hear about ii at once. This
power OF obtaining the fullest aud most
reliable information frst-hand, and the
still greater power OF disentangling the
truth in conflicting accounts. together
with shrewd insight into Zulu mo-
tives and character, made John Dunn
Cetewayo's most trusted adviser and
friend. Indeed, II is known that the
King seldom ventured to take any step
of importance without sending Tor him.
And this reliance in the safety and wis
dom of his counsel is common 10 the
whole nation.
On late occasion, before the recen;
war, he boldly assured the King thai
the defeat OF his armies by the English
was certain, and that he would lose his
kingdom, adding, "The day you gather
your men 10 wash their spears in Eng
lish blood, that same day will leave
Zuzuland, and be no friend TO your ma
ton. He kept his word, and took up
arms against them.
John Dunn has been accused of po-
lvgamy. The truth is, he has but one
wife; and being an affectionate husband
and a kind father, his domestic rela-
tons are of the happiest. The imputa-
ton of a plurality OF wives has risen
from the fact that he has, at various
times, bad sent 10 him BY Cetewayo, as
special marks OF the Kings affection
| and esteem, several young women
some of them daughters OF the royal
house (kraaD. To refuse acceptance oil
these maIdens-in Zulu eyes inestima-
bic preSents--would be deadly insult
10 the King, and would lead to inevita-
bic rupture.
They are has wives, in Zulu estima-
ton, and are respected AZ such; but to
John Dunn they are merely so in name.
As their industry amply covers their
'maIntenance, they are not, like the
white elephants OF the King of Siam,
ruinous presents. Some are young and
comeIy, but many are old and hideouS.
Their number does not exceed 80.
Their wardrobe Is neither extensive nos
expensive. A quantity OF preitly-col-
ored beads to string into necklaces and
aprons, and few brass bangles are
deemed sufficient by them as pin-mon-
ey. Their behavior j. irreproachable
and their modesty great, as Zulu wo-
men who have not come into contact
with ciyiizaiion in Natal are patterns
of virtue. Indeed. the Zulu punish
ment for unchasiity is death, and The
unchsste one is hurled over a cIiR. O,
put 10 death in some horrible Zulu fash
ion.