I purchased two additional liuts, one of which was
erected at the back (if a circle has a back) of our
mansion, as the kitchen, while the other at a greater
distance formed the “ servants’ hall.” We all worked
hard for several days in beautifying our house and
grounds. In the lovely short grass that resembled
green velvet, we cut walks to the edge of a declivity,:
and surrounded the house with a path of snow-white’
sand, resembling coarsely pounded sugar; this we
obtained from some decomposed sandstone rock which
crumbled upon the slightest pressure. We collected
curiously-shaped blocks of rock, and masses of fossil
wood that were imbedded in the sandstone;' these we:
formed into borders for our walks, and opposite to our
front door (there was no back door) we arranged a
half-circle or “ carriage drive,” of white sand to the
extreme edge of the declivity which we bordered with
large rocks; one of which I believe may remain to this
day, as I carried it to the spot to form a seat, and
my vanity was touched by the fact that it required
two Arabs to raise it from the ground. I made a
rustic table of split bamboos, and two garden seats'
opposite the entrance of the house, and we collected
a number of wild plants and bulbs which we planted
in little beds; we also sowed the seeds of different
gourds that were to climb upon our roof.
In the course of a week we had formed as pretty
a camp as Eobinson Crusoe, himself could have
coveted; but he, poor unfortunate, had only his man
Friday to assist him, while in our arrangements, there;
were many charms and indescribable little comforts,
that could only be effected by a lady’s hand. Not.
only were our walks covered with snow-white sand
and the borders ornamented with beautiful agates that
we had collected in the neighbourhood, but the interior
of our house was the perfection of neatness ; the floor
was covered with white sand beaten firmly together to
the depth of about six inches, the surface was swept
and replaced with fresh material daily ; the travelling
bedsteads, with their bright green mosquito curtains,
stood on either side, affording a clear space in the
centre of the circle, while exactly opposite the door
stood the gun-rack, with as goodly array of weapons
as the heart of a sportsman could desire;—|
My little Fletcher double rifle, No. 24.
One double rifle, No. 10, by Tatham.
Two double rifles, No. 10, by Eeilly.
One double rifle, No. 10, by Beattie (one of my
old Ceylon tools.)
One double gun, No. 10, by Beattie.
One double gun, No. 10, by Purdey, belonging to
Mr. Oswell, of South African celebrity.
One single rifle, No. 8, by Manton.
One single rifle, No. 14, by Beattie,
One single rifle, that carried a half-pound explosive
shell, by Holland of Bond Street; this was nicknamed
by the Arabs “ Jenna el Mootfah” (child of
a cannon), and for the sake of brevity I called it
the I “ Baby.”
My revolver and a brace of double-barrelled pistols