OUR TRAVELLING ATTIRE. 7 



find, very much to their disgust, that they are wrong, 

 and possibly at so late a date that it is impossible to 

 correct the error. 



Waterproofs, saddlery, &c , constituted the remainder 

 of the load, and load it really was, for when the various 

 traps arrived at Messrs. Donald Currie and Co.'s, they 

 weighed upwards of four tons and a half, or something 

 over nine thousand pounds ; and I must here return 

 thanks to that generous firm for the care with which 

 everything was stowed, and their liberality in not 

 charging me extra freight. However, before I leave 

 the subject of our outfit, I must not fail to mention the 

 description and cut of the garments we intended doing 

 our work in. These were straight, single-breasted 

 tight-fitting short jackets, with two good-sized pockets 

 on either side, each pocket protected by a large flap. 

 Our unmentionables were ordinary pantaloons, as the 

 most of our sport would be pursued on horseback. These 

 clothes were made of moleskin of the best description 

 attainable, and in my belief it is the only material 

 adapted to the purpose. The formidable nature of 

 African thorns is such, that in a few hours' riding they 

 totally destroyed a pair of the strongest woollen cords, 

 every rib seeming to become a holding- ground admirably 

 suited for bringing you to an anchor; with moleskin 

 this is not likely to happen, but even with these 

 much-resisting raiments you will be surprised how 

 soon they will begin to get seedy -looking and frayed. 

 For head-dress, a strong leather helmet with peak 

 before and behind. Of course, they should be as light 

 as they can possibly be obtained. Solar topees are 

 an abomination, always in the way, never fitting cor- 

 rectly, and when saturated with a chance shower, shrink, 



