164 AFRICAN CAMP FIRES. 



just touching each other ; and the space between 

 had been roofed over to form a veranda. We 

 were ushered into one of these circular rooms. 

 It was spacious and contained two beds, two 

 chairs, a dresser, and a table. Its earth floor was 

 completely covered by the skins of animals. In 

 the corresponding room, opposite, slept our hosts ; 

 while the third was the living and dining room. 

 A long table, raw-hide bottomed chairs, a large 

 sideboard, bookcases, a long easy settee with 

 pillows, gun racks, photographs in and out of 

 frames, a table with writing materials, and books 

 and magazines everywhere not to speak of again 

 the skins of many animals completely covering 

 the floor. Out behind, in small, separate build- 

 ings, laboured the cook, and dwelt the stores, 

 the bath-tub, and other such necessary affairs. 



As soon as we had consumed the usual grateful 

 lime juice and sparklets, we followed our hosts 

 into the open air to look around. 



On this high, airy hill top the Hills some day 

 are going to build them a real house. In antici- 

 pation they have laid out grounds and have 

 planted many things. In examining these my 

 California training stood by me. Out there, as 

 here, one so often examines his own and his 

 neighbours' gardens, not for what they are but 



