The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1906-01-31
From South Africa.
GREENvILLE M. s., PoNDoLAND, |
Nnuano har % I005

Thursday morning, Nov. "a, at ABOUT
nine o'clock we were ready to start.
wish you could have seen us about that
time. You would have gotten some
amusement no doubt. Ahead were six
oxen hitched to very heavy springless
two-wheeled cart about six feet long and
about five feet wide at the hubs. The
frame above us was made of crooked
sticks bent from one side to the other,
making an arch little too low for us to
sit upon the seat as straight as was COM
Portable. These arches were strength
ened by sticks crossing them az right an
giles, being held in place by strips ofraw-
hide tied at each crossing. Over this
frame was fastened sail to protect us
from the direct rays of the sun. On a
cart of this kind the heaviest load must
be in front so there will be no danger of
choking the oxen. Accordingly our large
trunk and heav lest box of groceries
(tinned meats, vegetables, etc. were put
directly in front and these being too high
to sit on our seat was put in behind, fac
ing backw AS it would probably
be some weeks before our goods coming
by freight could reach us we were obliged
to take with us enough bedding, dishes,
etc., to shanty until then. AS result
the front of the cart was packed solid to
the top, boxes we're under our seat and
under our feet, stewpans, washboard, etc.
were tied inside to the sticks and the roll
of quilts was standing on one end of the
seat; and when l took my hat off because
the top was low, 1 could hardly find
place to put it. Thus packed up we said
good bye to the friends there and started,
baby and on the seat and Mr.. Smith
walking behind. When we had gone
about mile or two Mr.. Smith stopped
and made more room on the seat by ty-
ing the bedding outside, in front. About
one or two we "outspanned" for about
two hours so that the oxen could get food
and water and during this time had our
own dinner, nice cold lunch prepared
by Misses Allen and Reed. Travelling by
oxen we cannot outspan when we choose
but at places where both grass and water
may be secured for the oxen. About six
o'clock we reached place where hun
dreds of OK drivers outspan and stopped
| for the night. Mr.. Smith pitched our
tent and we prepared our supper, making
some tea in our tea kettle, which we heat
ed on the fire built by our drivers. After
| BOO unilfu hu thn liUht inf a
candle, on the grass and enjoyed a good
nights rest, glad of the privilege of en-
ioying a little hardness for Jesus sake.
The next morning we had intended start
ing about three, as the oxen can travel so
much more easily when the sun is not so
hot, but oversight. However we were off
about two bours later, travelling until
about $50, when we stopped for breakfast
at place that for beauty would suit the
most artistic. We were beneath large
tree and on the bank of a beautiful stream
of water with trees on either side, while
the water wound in and out over the
rocks and across the road only to continue
its melodious sounds. We had been on
the road so long and the sun was already
so hot that it was hard to realize 1t was
not noon. The natives soon had fire on
the ground and kettle of mealy corn
neal porridge cooking. Our breakfast
consisted of mealy porridge, boiled egg
and tea and nice bread and butter. Aftel
breakfast was over and we had prayers
1 washed the dishes and while Mr.. Smith
was packing things back into the cart
washed some things for the baby on the
rocks of the stream, native style. About
eleven we were again moving at the rate
of about two miles or "a trifle more al
hour, outspanning again about 2:3O. Be-
fore we had finished our dinner driz
zling rain began, so some time was spent
lowering the sail that was over us so as tc
keep out the rain and in making other
preparations for stormy weather and
then we pushed on. At six it was still
raining and the grass was too wet to sleep
on. On inquiring we found we were
about five miles from house where
travellers were entertained, so we thought
it best to push on slowly as the oxen
could stand it and get beds for the night,
which we did, arriving between eight
and nine O'Clock. Here we were held all
the next two days by continual rain. We
started Saturday morning but as the road
lead for seven or eight miles up and down
hill, over great cuttings exceeding the
cuttings between Tionesta aud East Hick-
ory, and on the grades oxen and wheels
slid like sled on the snow, we consid-
cred it dangerous and turned back.
Monday morning the sun was shining
and the wind was blowing at such rate
that the roads were soon quite hard and
we had started On our last days treck.
The first eight miles were those mentioned
above and which led us down to the Um-
tamvuma River, which forms the bound
airy between Natal and Pondoland. Here
we found, after fording the river which is
at times impossible, the customs officers
living in some tents and to whom all
drivers must report. All wheat, whole
or ground, and some few other things
have duty coming into Pondoland. The
ascent from the river on the Pondoland
side was too wonderful for description
We had at least five miles of continual
climbing over such cuttings as l had
never seen before and the road winding
continually around the bills projecting in
every direction into the greater depress-
ions at our right For instance, about
half way up very high hill, almost per
pendicular, wound road around bend