Description of Parsonage House—Multiplicity of doors—Verandahs the only passage from room to room—Difficulty in procuring necessary fittings—First visit to a country store—Beauty of native mahogany flooring if properly kept—Pensioners and wives—Convict depôts in country districts—Depôt at Barladong—Clocks and cocks—Climate in summer—Favourite riding-horse—Visits from the natives—Appearance and character of Khourabene—Difficulties as to dress—Habits of exchanging all things with each other—Native's duties towards strangers—Love of dogs among the natives—Behaviour to the women—Matrimonial quarrel near Parsonage—"Bollia" men, or conjurors—Cruel custom of avenging a death—Native grave—Natives very trustworthy as messengers—Ned sent to carry letter—His behaviour to his wife—Pepper-tea and sham poisoning—Use of
grease and fat on the skin—Old Isaac's amusement at a lady's riding-hat—Red earth or Wilghee used as ornament—Native dandy dressing himself for a dance—Khourabene's suit of mourning.
After a good night's rest we commenced a thorough examination of our new premises, in order that we might arrange the house in the most comfortable manner. It would at first seem that, as we had but four rooms to puzzle over, it ought not to have given us much trouble to decide which should be kitchen, which parlour, and which sleeping apartments. Matters, however, are not so simple as might naturally be expected when the interior arrangements of a rough colonial house are in question, since so many points must be considered which could never occur in England. First, the floors; are they wood, mud, or brick? In our house we had specimens of all three kinds. Next comes the question of aspect; will the afternoon sun find too much entrance, so as to make the
