Wichita eagle., 1889-06-30

that fireworks or firecrackers were unobtain-
able, and that if desired to purchase gun
powder / must first go before a magistrate
and depose to a score or two Of peaceful and
inoffensive intentions, winding up with a pos
sible God Save the Queen" which would
assuredly be reasonable declaration on In
dependence day. This took the noisy edge
off my enthusiasm and l turned, saddened
and subdued, into West street, the principal
thoroughfare Of the town.
This West street Is 100 feet wide, with a
good, hardened road and stone foot pave
ments under the widespreading verandas, or
''stoeps," which line each side of the thor
oughfare and afford shelter from the burning
sun and pouring rains of the summer season.
l believe it is what Durbanites claim for it
one of the finest streets in South Africa. It
is certainly one of the most interesting and
picturesque to be seen anywhere, combining,
as it does, clements Of European, African
and Asiatic life.
The buildings are low and of substantial
appearance, built Of brick and plastered in
imitation of stone There is q medley Of In
dian stores and Arab stores, canteens, and
grocers' and diapers shops, interspersed here
and there with wholesale stores and ware
houses. Before the latter may be seen the
huge, clumsy Dutch transport wagons, their
''spans" of sixteen or eighteen oxen reposing
placidly in the gutter and chewing the cud Of
coatentment, locally known as ''veldt grass. F"
THIS burly, sunburnsd individual, clad in
cool and spotless linen, and wearing a broad
brimmed hat with voluminous white band,
or "pugaree," closely resembling a pillow
case, is an unmistakable Englishuan, as one
can see by the aggressive, self satisfied man
ner in which he makes his way through the
crowd, matchmaking the blooming Arabs
and putting the inevitable wooden pipe.
The Arab who jostles the Englishman's
elbow is attired In lace robe reaching to his
knees, a short blue silk jacket, white panta-
looms and white sandals. His features are Of
the Semitic cast, and are set OFF by little
fez worn on the back Of bis head end deco
rated with gold and silver braid. He is not
afraid Of spelling his complexion. The Arab
has made palpable hit IN Natal, and Is driv-
ing many English merchants to the wall
II the road arc large numbers Of low caste
coolies from India, men and women in their
native bright colored and picturesque COS
TUNES, with big white or blue tUrbans and
bare feet On their heads are borne curiously
fashioned bamboo baskets, laden with fish,
fruits and vegetables, which they offer for
sale in coarse, cultural tones, quito as unin-
telligible as the hucksters' cries OF New York
or London
The lean and withered shanks Of the men
bare from the thighs down, and their gener-
oily famished and u1orose appearance, are tn
striking contrast with the big. powerful
linbed, oleaginous, happy looking native KAT
frs who stride along beside them
Following at a respectful distance from
their lords and masters may be seen "drovesn
Of six OF eight Kattir girls, enveloped Il .
glow Of virgin innocence and big wooden
BLANKETS. which make them lock decidedly
warm and uncomfortable, and posing on
their heads large gour6s as big as prize Or
ange county pumpkins
Reaching the public gardens, my eyes were
giaddened by TIE sight CT the Stars and Stripes
floating from tie eAgsta5 In ths grounds ot
the American vice consul, and thither / d.
rected my steps
The residence Of Mr. O. C Cato, then Natal
representative q the United States govern
rneut, Is che Of these old, rambling, o2e story
structures, with brick walls and galvanized
iron roofs, which are Characteristic Of Natal,
and stands wei back from tie street, EN-
lowered II forest q palm AID wide spread-
ing ni13osa trees
al tie door ~as greeted By . gT1nn1nS
Eaflr boy. rejoicing il pair q cotton knee
b-eeches whcreo. o1e Ieg was yellow and tbs
other black, who col9Bcssd E.e into long.
low drawing RON, plainly furnished With
heavy Oh fashioned EaEa.ss furniture. which
has the distinguishing merit q being oOn-
forsabie ana anx1AsoAble.
Here was oczrseoCsly rece.vec by Gr.
Cato. kais AID vigorous gs1taec1&n Ct -
years, Ct striking appearance snd hearty, 4
somewhat ccosntytc, caa1nT-
On learning thsf was wandering Arssra-
can cane To smoke q frs.e-rAl pAFe II eogsor
Of The day, lie broagE: forth rsfre<srz<tts.A.
ard aft a. - cs-aizI hz-s5s=ak.o- -