The National tribune., 1900-04-26

bought at our home near Leopoldville at
any price, we were quite certain to stay for
a few days anyhow, so We put our men to
cutting timber to make lumber for a new
station. At breakfast we talked the mat
ter over, and friend Darby and myself de-
cided to go over to pay our old friend
lahiingwala visit. We took our canes
of five-feet sections of reeds and rifles and
started, hoping TO find buffalo. We went
perhaps half mile by water, in a canoe,
then took footpath the balance of the
way. 1t had rained heavily day or two
before. One creek which we had to cross
was high, and we We're carried over high
and dry by our boys. | believe that the
section Of prairie land through which we
passed that morning was as beautiful n
piece OF country as can be found in the
world.
The climate seemed just splendid In
fact, | could find no fault with country or
climate. The soil was rich, sandy loan.
thought, what corn patch, or place to
raise any crops. on. We went on and,
finally, in lovely spot we found the vii
lage; but the people were not accustomed
ers fastened their houses, and few Of the
most courageous ones stayed at home.
In short time the old chief appeared,
and asked us to follow him. This invita-
ton we accepted. After going out perhaps
half mile on the road to our homes he
WIN I'D biGit lid p'cpIC "CIc IcuDtc
feared that We were spies, and they might
do US harm, and he took this plan to save
US. AS soon as he could he said, he would
punish the rascals. We parted with him
and finally got home to Lobrolella all right,
very tired, but with kind remembrances Of
1ahiingwala for his assistance and pleas
ant remembrances of most beautiful
country. The State has since built post
near here, and the great forest is being
cut for State uses. II is within some 20
rods Of this station that dear Capt. Dean,
the elephant hunter of Bahmu, was buried
HOUSES OF NATIVES.
This lovely country, within many miles
from the river, will average from five to 20
feet above higl-water mark; but there are
times in the highest water, which, ] am
told. occurs once IN seven years, that the
most Of this land is covered for a short
time in January and February. The soil
is a rich sandy loan of unknown depth.
and is generally covered with fleece of
prairie grass which is well adapted to max
ing peat, as the roots are long, fine and
strong. We do not know it in the States,
as | have not found its kind here in any
section Of our country. This same grass
is also used for thatching and siding h houses,
and when well put on is very durable. il
have seen houses thai seemed to be so years
old Of this grass. To prepare it, an expert
goes to the masoba ("meadow'). selects a
good spot, cuts it in bundles, carries it home.
and sorts out the good, even lengths, which
he lays in piles in the shade to season.
BY the time this is done hoop-skirt frame
work for house will have been finished.
which is made Of hagge-bush branches
usually five feet long and two inches i'm di,
ameter, driven i'll the ground one foot deep.
which leaves four feet for the walls of the
house. Thea, usually, tall post at each
end in the center, for the ridgepole, and n
support half way to the outer wall to carry
a subpole.
Over these are bent rattan withes of
suitable lengths to reach from cave to |
cave, about a foot apart. This forms
convex crescent roof foundation Then,
lengthwise Of the house, which is usu
ally 10 ff, and over this foundation. |
is laid another series of rattan the whole
length Of the house and tied on TO the raft
ters or under layers with rattan thongs |
until good, solid framework is made. The
sides are prepared the same as the roof. |
leaving only u small hole of two by three
feet in one end for a sliding door This |
done, the thatcher goes to work with tho
grass, which IS prepared most carefully and
stripped OF all its leaves or blades, and tied
up in little bundles of from two to three
inches in size. He takes these bundles as |
needed, opens them and spreads them ont |
as bottom layer of, say, half an inch
thick over the lower part of this framework. |
Then he puts on another layer and another, |
until the covering is complete, each layer
coming within some six TO eight inches of |
the butts of the layer beneath, the straw
usually being three feet long. BY the time
this is finished a good heavy wall is made |
that deties heat, cold and rain.
These houses are very durable, and are cer-
tainly far more comfortable than one would |
suppose. Some Of them are lined through |
out with neat mating, are kept clean and |
tdy; home really seems comfortable, ana |
peace In tnese regions seems to dwell su-
preme. Yet they lack one thing-the Cos
pei.
(To be continued.)