en as we sat down, in an
incredibly short time, to a hearty meal of roast turkey and mince pies!
We almost fell to wishing each other a Happy Christmas, and
instinctively wondered if roast chestnuts would form part of the
afternoon's programme. Unfortunately, chestnuts of an allegorical kind
_did_ enter into the proceedings. Meanwhile, the rain continued its
unceasing downpour. It was some time before the baggage waggons arrived
on the scene, and, needless to say, they and their contents were very
damp. But the peons soon had the goods unpacked, and ere long were happy
and dry in the big galpon round a roaring fire, which they must have
badly needed. Their behaviour all through this terrible day, sometimes
under most trying circumstances, had been splendid, and it says a good
deal for master as well as for man that not once was a sound of
discontent heard. In fact, the men often suggested themselves little
things in which they thought they might help the caretakers of the
party. It was a relief to us all to know that the work of those peons
had ended for the day with the caring for the horses and unpacking of
the goods.

Monte still accompanied us, but here he had to be kept under strict
surveillance, for dogs were numerous on the premises, and several of
them were not of the kind who brook any encroachment, however harmless,
on their preserves; so poor Monte was perforce shut up, away from the
house, where Bear and his companions could not take exception to the
presence of an interloper. The late afternoon and evening were chiefly
spent in having warm baths, which were most grateful after the, of
necessity, somewhat sketchy ablutions of the past three days. Now that
the safe arrival of the luggage was an accomplished fact, and the
travellers clothed and fed, there seemed little reason for late hours,
and it was not long after dinner when the general dispersal took place.
We only waited to hear a few selections of songs on the beautiful
gramophone which our host had received a few months ago as a Christmas
greeting from England. It must be difficult for those at home to
realise what an immense amount of pleasure a good gramophone can give to
the dwellers in the far camp lands. This instrument was in constant
request, and both the machine and records were extraordinarily good.
Still, even this great attraction did not tempt the party to sit up
late; everyone was tired and exhausted, and our cocheros, more
especially the