Newark post. (Newark, Del.) 1910-1969, 1910-12-28
ReC0lIeCti0nS Of
A Unique New
Years Experience

ence in my travels awheei in South
when ! saw the old year out and the
new year in, together with a travelling
companion. along the shore of the
Indian Ocean.
The last day OF the old year found
two o. us at Grahamstown, several
miles inland, where we were attend
we conceived the idea OF cycling from
here to Port Elizabeth, probably
distance OF so miles.
We mounted our wheels and fol-
lowed path over the hill and down
into the valley. and thence along
brook that we knew would lead us to
the Ocean. After going several miles
we came across fork in the road.
and did not know which we should
take. We found here Kaffir kraal
(vlllage), and the women who saw
us began to run, almost falling over
themselves, due to the heavy blank
cts which enveloped them. Our pres
ence was quickly heralded to hundred
or more blacks of various ages, and
lot OF nude pickaninnies were among
the group. Our bicycles were cur
iosity to them, but we wanted to get
on our way. After speaking to them
IN ka r, using the words 'Monango
Monte, Lap Lapa," meaning big
water, there or there pointing to
the differen, paths, we were soon
directed and were on our way. After
going several miles, during which we
saw several deer, we ran into a swarm
of locusts which completely obscured
the sun; and we ran over thousands
OF them, who in turn for our i'll treat
ment, severely scratched our faces
with their thorny legs.
We finally reached the big water"
and refreshed ourselves in its warm
water. We found a house here, where
we secured a good meal. After sup
per- we informed our hosts OF our in
hands in horror. We were told of
but we were game enough for the trip,
and at nine O'Clock with full moon
coming up in the East, and the low
tide with the sand along its edge
packed solid, we proceeded. Every
tiilllS NCill HlStlN lOl several lllllcS,
until we reached the first river, where
we found the tide was coming in. 1t
was now midnight, so we seated our
selves on the wreck of an old Norwe-
gian barge. and eat some sandwiches
While we listened to the noise of the
balloons along the stream. The moon
was so bright that the sands thrown
up along the banks looked like snow
We certainly ielt alone in the wor
and questioned whether anybody had
ever had a similar experience.
My friend, who was older and lar
Jger than myself was the first to get
across the water, then he returned
} for the two bicycles. and ieit me to
get over with my Clothes The tide
was coming in and the water was ice,
cold from the inland springs, After
several attempts ] got across, but not
until ! had lost my footing and gone
under with my clothes. We then
dressed, and decided to proceed, for
we could not return after having
boosted of the fact we would make
the trip Now our troubles began to
multiply. The water was coming III,
and we found the sand was becoming
softer accordingly. We found we had
to carry our machines most OF the
time and climb over rocks and around
cliffs,
About a m New Years Day, we
reached the other river, and it was so
wide we decided to camp for the night
We made a fire out OF brush and then
pushed the burnt wood aside, and made
bed in the warm sand While it was
hot summer here, the nights seemed
very cold
Awaking next morning we found
our remaining sandwiches secure, for
the balloons had Left them alone. This
night we had slept along what is
known as the Adoo Bush, which is the
Elephant section OF South Africa.
We located kaffir, who had boat
and he took us across, and started us
o ma path toward Alexandria Along
this trip we had considerable trouble
with thornS which punctured our tires
We found a canteen where we bought
some wine, and pumped it through the
valves oil the tires. which healed the
holes
We came along group of monkeys
which quickly scattered at our ap,
prOach | rushed in the wood after
them, but while | could hear branches
breaking everywhere, | could not see
one, though there were a hundred
eyes watching me. After going along
the road further and waiting they be-
gan to come out and started at their
old occupation, which every one
knows. 1t was amusing to see them
running from us. The little monkeys
would run and jump on their mother
who would scamper off into the woods
with them
There are many ostriches in this
section, and many times we would
chase them. When we would be ON
the point OF catching them to pluck a
feather, they would leave the patti,
and go faster than horse across the
field
We had our New Years dinner at
Alexandria; and after beating against
strong wind for several miles the
rest OF the day, we reached Port
Elizabeth, and felt gratihed that we
L