The Marble Kraals

At length the last platform, or terrace, was reached, and we pulled up
outside the wall surrounding the central group of marble huts--for so
I must call them, for want of a better name. Our approach had been
observed by a crowd of natives, whose race I have never been able to
determine accurately; they belonged to the Basutu and peaceful section
of the Bantu peoples rather than to the Zulu and warlike. Several of
these ran up to take the horses, gazing on us with astonishment, not
unmixed with awe. We dismounted--speaking for myself, not without
difficulty--indeed, had it not been for Stella's support I should have
fallen.

"Now you must come and see my father," she said. "I wonder what he will
think of it, it is all so strange. Hendrika, take the child to my hut
and give her milk, then put her into my bed; I will come presently."

Hendrika went off with a somewhat ugly grin to do her mistress's
bidding, and Stella led the way through the narrow gateway in the marble
wall, which may have enclosed nearly half an "erf," or three-quarters of
an acre of ground in all. It was beautifully planted as a garden, many
European vegetables and flowers were growing in it, besides others with
which I was not acquainted. Presently we came to the centre hut, and
it was then that I noticed the extraordinary beauty and finish of the
marble masonry. In the hut, and facing the gateway, was a modern door,
rather rudely fashioned of Buckenhout, a beautiful reddish wood that
has the appearance of having been sedulously pricked with a pin. Stella
opened it, and we entered. The interior of the hut was the size of a
large and lofty room, the walls being formed of plain polished marble.
It was lighted somewhat dimly, but quite effectively, by peculiar
openings in the roof, from which the rain was excluded by overhanging
eaves. The marble floor was strewn with native mats and skins of
animals. Bookcases filled with books were placed against the walls,
there was a table in the centre, chairs seated with rimpi or strips of
hide stood about, and beyond the table was a couch on which a man was
lying reading.