Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1896-03-08
GOLD WEATHER IN AFRICA.
Natives Are Sometimes Frozen to Death
 in Some Parts of tho Continent.

Natives Are Sometimes Frozen to Death
 in Some Parts of tho Continent.
 s'In spite of all that has been written lately about the Transyaal republic, most people have an utterly mistaken idea about it, said Albert Gerard Thiers, the tenor, who is well acqlaint- ed with it, the other day. Most peo- pie, find, think that any spot in Africa is torrid and territically hot at all times, whereas, in reality, many Of the nights, and particularly in June, are very cold. and it takes all the rugs and blankets that one possesses to keep him warm
 .sThough the midday sun is almost as warm as any summer day" the tenor went on. "one needs to be we'll pro- vided with covering if he proposes to pass the night on the veldt. To give you some idea of the cold of the plaina at night, may tell you that q few win- fe1s ago several natives on their way to the fields were frozen stiff on the road froln Pretoria to Potchefstrem.
 Several of our party one day started from Bloemfontein for Pretoria. where the shooting was particularly good, talk J our traps. which consisted Of change of linen, or, rather, fannels, q pair of blankets each, the cooking utensils and n spare gun. We had for our compan- ion young man whom we had met few days previous to our departure-a young Scotchman, but lately arrived in the country.
 Starting about two o'clock in tlle afternoon, we walked briskly, with oc- casional halts for coffee. until about ten o'clock at night, when the moon shone out in full, and we decided to turn in for the night. The wind was already blow ing pretty fresh, and we looked about for a place ill the veldt where the ant hills were the thiekest, so that we could Set fire to two of them to heat our ket- ties and keep us warm during the biy- ouac. After having cup of coffee and sitting around the fire until thoroughly warmed, our party slipped off their boots. and, putting them under our heads for pillows, pulled our blankets over our heads and feet and were soon fast asleep. imagining, of course. the Scotchman would do the same.
 About two o'clock, when the night was eoldest, We were all awakened by dreadful grooming, and, pulling our heads from out our coverings, were as tonished to see Mac hnddled up on the ground, with nothing over him but q rubber overcoat, shivering, chattering and moaning piteously. The fire was out. An icy wind was sweeping around the veldt. Good gracious, Mac, whats tle matter? Where are your blankets 9 we cried. I didn't bring any, chat- tered the unfortunate youth Didn't bring any Then what on earth was that big bundle the Kaffir was carry ingY That is my b-best clothes,' moaned the sufferer.
 "We were soon up and bundled the poor fellow into our own blankets, and, waking the boys, we made up a roaring fire and thawed him back to life. The next day, on arriving at Winberg, you should have seen Mae rushing into the nearest store, and, regardless of 'siller, buy two of the thicl1est blankets to be had. This man had never slept before outside of four walls, and had fondly imagined that in Africa he would need no covering. He made a common mis- take about Africa. IN. Y. World.