125 
Maritzburg, and down at the quay ready to go on board 
the steamer. I went to see a quantity of birds wbich. a 
young gentleman in the neighbourhood had been com- 
missioned to collect by my friend Gates, who was anxious 
to take them back to England ; and I bought a few 
duplicates to add to the few I had managed to shoot up 
country. I was surprised to find the great majority of 
the birds with such dull plumage, the emerald cuckoo 
being perhaps the most brilliant of the few exceptions to 
this rule. 
Novemler 1th, Fresh news and increased excitement 
about the Caffre outbreak: the volunteers and militia 
drilling in all directions, and knots of people collected 
about the streets discussing the latest intelligence, which 
is certainly rather alarming, as it appears that some of 
the mounted corps sent up from Pieter-Maritzburg to bar 
the passes through the Berg, came into collision with the 
natives, and three of the whites were killed. The arrange- 
ments appear to have been bad generally on the part of the 
authorities — no supplies for man or horse, no communi- 
cation kept up, and embarrassing orders. The outbreak 
occurred near Estcourt, through which we passed coming 
down to Pieter-Maritzburg ; and as it has been reported 
that some wagons were stopped on the road, we were glad 
to be out of the way. It is further reported that the 
steamer may be detained by the authorities, or sent off to 
East London for troops, which would not be pleasant for 
us. However, we were told to go on board on the 8th, 
as, if not detained, she was to sail early on the next 
morning. After wishing our friends at the glebe good- 
bye, we went on board in the evening of the 8th, and 
dined there ; the cuisine was excellent, and much superior 
to the Union line. 
November 9th. Sunday. Steamed out into the tide to clear 
the bar, and anchored outside, the captain having agreed 
