Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1896-12-16
South Africa Letter.
CONTINUED.

about $50 we wakened to find it again
raining but it again proved to be only a |
shower. We felt it necessary to 20 on
however, and now at II o'clock we are en-
camped for breakfast six miles from our
starting place. walked five of the six
miles, and we hope to make seven this
afternoon. This morning we passed two
kralls. Quite recently the Portuguese have
passed through this region, driving away
the people and burning their kralls. Soon
after starting this morning we must have
seen at least 20 native beehives in the trees.
They are made Of bark, about two feet
long and some eight inches in diameter.
The ends are made tight with braided
grass, small holes being left for the bees to
go in and out. One German house at Beira
recently sent away by one steamer one ton
of wax. We have just finished our break
fast Of oat meal, Boston baked beans and
coffee, and as the boys are making up their
loads must let my boy have my tin box.
Saturday, September 5. Last evening
we encamped on the high bank of the larg
est river we have yet seen. Where we
crossed it was 40 yards wide and the water
ran swiftly and with strong current over
ledge Of rocks. In some places the rocks
were not more than one foot in width and
were covered with green fungus, which
made them very slippery. had here my
first experience in wading and now have
crossed streams in four different ways. By
jumping from stone to stone by being car
ried across in the Maxilas and by putting
my hands on the shoulders of two Of the
natives while they made chair of their
arms.
Saturday evening. am sitting in my
tent with the candle on the headrest of my
cot bed. We have walked about Is miles
to-day, and are now in the Muleeter dis
trict in the country claimed by the char
tered company. This morning we had
very hard walking, up hill and down, often
in narrow path, through grass over our
heads. | had counted upon day of rest
Sunday but as the boys food was nearly
exhausted and it proved impossible to pro-
cure any from chance krall it seemed nee
essary for US to go on. Our route took us
through the Chimanimoni pass, the most
difficult but grandest part of the whole
journey. All day we had before us the
long range of the mountains, the highest
peak Of which is 5000 feet. These noun
tains are solid rock at the top and most IT.
regular in outline. Some times there would
be single row of trees along the very top,
standing with bare branches against the
sky.
About noon we entered the Pass and be-
gan to ascend. Our path wound in and
out among boulders sometimes the rocks
projected like steps and for rods it would
be like going up stairs. 1t was not a very easy
a. 81 Sho
l found it much easier by having boy 60
ahead holding one end of a stick while
held the other. In places for long dis
lance the path ran along the side Of the
mountain on narrow shelf while at the
left was steep precipice. That night we
camped on the banks of a roaring noun
tain stream, High mountains rose above
us and quite shut us in, great boulders
scattered about, two so near our tents
that we were quite protected from the cold,
while the river made music for us through
the night. When the various campfres
had been lighted, the scene was weird in
the extreme. We were 5000 feet above
sea level, the air was cool and bracing and
in spite of the long hard climb slept
soundly, dreamed that was dining with
friends in Boston and awoke refreshed.
We we're soon ready for our last tramp of
six miles and / found the getting out of the
Pass in some places more difficult than the
getting in. as for rods we had to crawl
along the side of great ledge with ugly
looking rocks beneath.
We were the first white women, who, as
far as known had ever seen these noun
tains from the Pass and it was an inspira-
ton to remember our errand and rejoice
that we were the herald of the King, the
bearer of good tidings. l shall for myself
always associate with that Pass that verse
in Psalms, " How beautiful upon the noun
tains," etc. About 9 80 we came upon the
wagon-road leading to Mt. Selinda. This
road was commenced by the Chartered Co.
before the war. A few wagons have made
the whole journey, but the road is now, in
parts, very much out of repair. Some
time next year they hope to finish the rail-
way, and / shall then hope to have my
boxes of books. A Mr.. Martin, one of
the most intelligent of the European set
tiers lives at this place. He is president
of farmers association recently formed
here, and the leader in the organization of
Dutch church formed in this district. He
led a trek from the Orange Free State two
years ago. They were eight months on
the journey, and 50 of their cattle died.
His place has magnificent situation on the
side of hill with a stream of clear run
ming water with which he can irrigate his
gardens. was interested in seeing what
they had accomplished in two years. He
has six huts, one was set apart for us dur
ing our stay; pretty flower garden, a
large variety of vegetables, fowls, ducks,
and turkeys; 20 cows and a number OF
oxen and goats. Mr.. Martin is planting
patatoes, the seed costing S25, and viii
receive 16 cents per pound for his potatoes
Tuesday, Sept. s. A Dutchman met us
here with a wagon to take us to Mt
Selinda, which is % miles away aud the
plan is to reach there on Thursday. We
have Is oxen and our wagon is a large
African truck wagon. 1t has a tent, about
8 feet long and siz feet wide, over the