The Newtown bee., 1900-12-28
MRS MYRTLE KNAPP IN AFRICA.


 4 You wrote in your last letter there was . rumor afloat that was coming home or was dead. We'll, do not be bothered over any report you hear. In either case you will know 1t as soon as any one. If was either coming or dead cablegram would be sent to Hawley- vile, 50 you would know 1t in . week. You know we have an arrangement so we could do that easily. You will know am not very sick when I tell you have walked 140 miles the past three weeks. Will was 30 poorly we went on trip. We went to see Margaret Scott Wilson at Machades, from there to see Mr Sev- ern at Kapgundu, from there to Athi river, and stayed few days to fish. It was pleasant. There is certain amount of fascination about camp life. We walked about from eight to 10 miles. then camped until the next day. Before we scarcely knew it the men would have the tents all put up. slept on the ground every night. The plain is 50 hot from the heat of the sun 1t fairly burns through one's shoes. The boys would bring big lot of dry grass into the tent. make 1t high, then we put on woolen blankets on the grass and slept until we began to hear the head man loosen the cords in the morning, when we knew 1t was time to journey again. I caught the largest fish, at least he bit my hook, but could not pull him in alone. It weigh ghed eight to 10 pounds.
 I did not see lion and only one rhi- noceros. He was feeding on the side of hill and apparently did not see us. We went through miles of rhino country. The men walked carefully, peep,ng be- hind the trees, guns in hand. followed, keeping my eyes open, and also keeping as near as possible to some tree. One day while we were at the Athi river Will and MT Krieger went out to hunt. They came across an ostrich nest with 15 eggs. While they were bending down to look at the eggs an old rhinoceros came run ming toward them 30 near they said their hair stood up. In an instant the natives with them were all up the only tree ear. They ran back of the tree and both fired at him. He ran of, leaving them the eggs. Alter that we had eggs enough. It is amazing what quantity one makes when 1t is beaten up. I made cakes and baked them in tin pans. One egg would make three cakes. We had them fried until we were tired of them. Mir Severn came home with us. And then Brother Krieger went back with him. They are going to save to take up Brother Cooks body, and take 1t to their mission station. There they are going to cement up the graves of Peter Scott and Mr Allan.
 September 22. did not finish this last night. I am obliged to do my writ- ing in little bits at time. Will and Mr Finley have gone to Nairobi to-day, so have been alone all day. I used to feel afraid to be alone but have gotten over that. have been homesick the pact month more than in all the time have been here. do dread the rainy season 30 much. Will is not real we'll. Has not had fever now for over a month but dces not get as he was before he was sick. He looks thin and pale. am afraid when the rains come he will have 1t again. One of the military officers died of black water fever, last week, and also an Englishman died of small pox at Nairobi. Nothing takes the life out of me like having Will sick.
 Our cat is half wild cat. He does not look like domesticated cat. His build is long and his head is not like a cat. He will equall 80 one could hear him quar. ter of mile when he gets mad. When am at work if I go too near him he will run and scratch and bite me. He will not sit In lap minute. We have a nice old dog, only the f sas and iiggers make his life unbearable. wish Floyd would write to me. I should like SO much to hear from him. You made my mouth water when you wrote about having a half bushel of huckleberries. Tell En- ma can remember just how the hills look between our house and Akin Briggs. We'll, I must leave of now and get supper. expect any minute to see two hungry men coming from Nairobi. MT Finley has been with us now since June, but is going home to England in two or three months. He Is not Chris tian but is as nice as body can be that is not. He is very kind and nice to me, never making bit of extra trouble and always ready to help when he can.
 Sunday. Here am again. The men came from Nsirobi all right, except tired. You speak of it's being hot at home. I wish we could have some of the heat. It