A BAD LODGTWCI. 
1 rrv 
March 1 %th, 1 8G 1 . 
“ Mt DEAii Madam, 
“ Will you confer upon me the favour of accepting the 
accompanying pistol ? It seems strange to offer a lady so deadly 
a weapon, but you are going to travel thousands of miles through 
country where even the buttons on your dress will appear a 
mine of wealth to its savage inhabitants. That you may never 
be called upon to use it is the sincere wish of, 
“ My dear Madam, 
“ Yours most faithfully, 
“H. J. HOLLAND.” 
The sun set gloriously ; the young moon gave but faint light, and 
at eight o^ clock clouds obscured her, so that we were in darkness, 
and the wood was becoming more dense ; the station was yet distant 
two hours' journey. Mussaad advised a halt, saying there was a 
cattle-kraal near, in which we could pass the night, so thither we 
went. Arrived at the kraal, it was enclosed by a high fence of 
thorns ; to admit us, some were torn down, then were carefully 
replaced, as wild animals are numerous in the locality. Our whole 
party ushered in, some cattle were turned out of a shed to enable 
Petherick and myself to occupy their places ; rugs were spread on 
the ground, and we determined to make the best of a bad lodging. 
These sheds are built generally, but not always, circular in form, 
and the flat roof of rafters, covered with earth, is supported by 
posts driven into the ground; on this the negroes repose. I no- 
ticed that our attendants soon climbed to the roof of other sheds, 
there to establish themselves for the night. 
The scene was wild in the extreme — its only recommendation. 
Tall negroes covered with ashes flitted to and fro, their slumbers 
having been disturbed ; the fires lighting up their spectral figures. 
