I Saw Plenty Of Partridges On The Road, But Was Not
Early Enough To See Boks, Who Only Show At Dawn; Neither Have I
Seen Baboons.
I will try to bring home some cages of birds - Cape
canaries and 'roode bekjes' (red bills), darling little things.
The sugar-birds, which are the humming-birds of Africa, could not
be fed; but Caffre finks, which weave the pendent nests, are hardy
and easily fed.
To-day the post for England leaves Caledon, so I must conclude this
yarn. I wish R- could have seen the 'klip springer', the mountain
deer of South Africa, which Capt. D- brought in to show me. Such a
lovely little beast, as big as a small kid, with eyes and ears like
a hare, and a nose so small and dainty. It was quite tame and
saucy, and belonged to some man en route for Capetown.
LETTER V - CALEDON
Caledon, Dec. 29th.
I am beginning now really to feel better: I think my cough is
less, and I eat a great deal more. They cook nice clean food here,
and have some good claret, which I have been extravagant enough to
drink, much to my advantage. The Cape wine is all so fiery. The
climate is improving too. The glorious African sun blazes and
roasts one, and the cool fresh breezes prevent one from feeling
languid. I walk from six till eight or nine, breakfast at ten, and
dine at three; in the afternoon it is generally practicable to
saunter again, now the weather is warmer.
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