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TRAVELS

IN THE

INTERIOR

SOUTHERN AFRICA.

VOL. II.

Lonpon :

Printed by A. & R. Spottiswoode,
New-Street-Square.

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by ppog ry G opr Famug prt ey wy pemane) x

TRAVELS

IN THE

INTERIOR

OF

SOUTHERN AFRICA,

BY

WILLIAM J. BURCHELL, Eso.

VOLUME II.

WITH NUMEROUS ENGRAVINGS.

LONDON:
PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, BROWN, AND GREEN,

PATERNOSTER-ROW.

1824.

CONTENTS.

Page
Cuaprer I. Journey from Klaarwater, to Kaabi’s Kraal o:..csseocssvovnescstececessnccseses ‘1
II. Transactions at Kaabi’s Kraal ........ seer ermessleaenmans Scisicoa Cost thteMs cuss’ Weenie 46
III. Journey from Kaabi’s Kraal, to the Borders of the Colony ............ sevens 80
IV. Journey from the Borders of the Colony, to the village of Graaffreynét ... 104
V. Transactions at Graaffreynét .........00000. LpDiseTaseceg aver eMe oases cock ouniteece ees: SO
VI. Return from Graaffreynét, to the Boundary of the Colony ...............06. 168
VII. Return from the Colony, through the country of the Bushmen, to
Kila rwaten o0aj0cdescssssines octare sasinn oo ters soe nise'ess dire se'siew sie io oma ses sisboouseitesine . 186
VIII. Transactions at Klaarwater, after the return from Graaffreynét ............ 222
IX. Journey in the country of the Koras, from Klaarwater to Sensavan ......... 233
X. Journey from Sensavan, tothe Kamhanni Mountains ......scecossessseeeesenres 260
XI. Journey in the country of the Bachapins, from the Kamhanni Mountains,
to the river Makkwéarin ...... Licsds Geiwaka +e Peaeeds sacle les vase euswueaserenre. te 291
XII. Occurrences and observations at the river Makkwarin ......... Sencepaerees 311
XIII. Journey from the river Makkwarin, to the town of Litakun ......... poses SLO
XIV. Reception at Litakun ......... Si awieh Sees wae Cue ealenals ot sumer diester saccies B58
XV. Residence in the town of Litakun; and affair of the gun ......... srisccsscess S81
XVI. Transactions and occurrences during the first residence at Litakun ......... 434
XVII. General description of the town of Litakun. Its history; regulations ; popu-
lation ; architecture; domestic arrangement; situation; and climate. 511
XVIII. General description of the Bachapins. Their origin; population; govern-
ment; warfare; policy: trade; and laws. Nature of their Chiet’s au-
thority. Their religion or superstition; moral character; natural dispo-
sition; mental capacity ; figure ; cast of features; women; marriages ;
clothing ; personal ornaments; utensils; disorders; modes of cure;
language; food; agriculture; manufactures; arts; and, amusements .., 529
The Itinerary, and Register of the Weather .......... Saleaeaaeieueunindee cee sa eeeeneene eee GUL
athe, Zoological ande Botanical Indexge.s<.cssssscosesescsaesisencssesveresstens Eee ny ene 611
isisielsloleleiel elelareleleteleielslelsia/sis'eisleiers aleiavabe(aiatevorttc cca tnicverenye soee » G19

The General Index .....ccscecsccccescoeses

PLATES.

Facing Page

1. A natural Obelisk, in the country of the Bushmen ......,.....ssccsscsssssccsvecvcsses 44
2. Descending from the. Snow-Mountains © ..6...022++.0ccs<airuslanesesesoeceacesteae eee 133
3. Portrait of Juli, a faithful Hottentot ...........0006 Wasiaedrernasisiisinolaile Sole aisle see teeneten 160
4. View of a Bushman Kraal ...ccseccecssceess aaialaicfavaingrelsintarsileisineecly siseciire takes Saorsnelee aoe LOS
5. View on entering the ‘Town Of Uitakuniiiet4scsus cud secs: essvacaesntnce caceeeeeeeem oa
6. A View inthe’ Town of Litakun wesesses seeas socssccwace ccseabesesccuantoneaee meena 464
7, Portrait. Of Massisan:. sansssestsecsnesivessareeescsete Braise aisialse ee cibins iMiic'g santas saeeertee wee 484
8. Portraitiof Mahttu scecosct secssee ses Sesdes siseieebineoscisise cele ciswisesiesacie diver cane nee teen eee Od.
9. Section and Plan of a Bachapin House «sscsccsseeseeees em aisiirheeene samiiese asiaeerieat » 515
10.. Portrait of Chéasi, a Bachapin <csvestuscossorssetsscncnaseccsucs-vacsasncsettenceeree: 561
VIGNETTES.
Described at
Page Page
1.» Heads of two Bushipirls 321. sisescessssunesetcaescesaoessessesasnssseserncs nal 25. 59.
2. Bushman utensils .........0006 sandals Seisleehaaninesicnocciosessoeceteeerre jaaene 45
Digging-stick ....-..se00. Eee ae Us wathate elec anne cla visit eeselceaane onions setants 4:5 29
Stone-pot ...ccceceee nigadce Rocosedoce BadeastooGar Selsivccidcc wis sloeouteseatrentioee 45 34
Clay=p0t cov sesensctececcetcesserecstesecseessevasseseptvosineseeeisessaeses cae SAD 47
Dancing-rattles ......secessssscesossseeees eeeisiisld sieve t's PAOcoScicnaanessce © 45 65
3. The Two-horned Rhinoceros .....ceceeseeeeeee sedoesietse reticence 46 74
4. Head of the Two-horned Rbhimoceros ......scecceseccesecscoeccscccccuses 79 75
5. Geranium Rocks’: a Station ticccccecse secs ceciedccsesveetecscscessaassniee MOO 98
6,Ansideiof a: Bushmanmsstlut: coteesice cuontes oceiaseserccewedercecoctecmemmieee Oo 53
7. Great Table-mountain, on the borders of ie Coe eeoeuseeer eens ss. 104 4032105.
8. Ascending a rugged Pass .....4-....006 reteeteaeiente Moaliad se ide vseebsecsencsc Oo ORemeLO9D
9. View of the Drostdy at Graaffreynét ....s00.+e s,s eee REN ee arteie icy Mitt . 1389 145
10. The plant called Hottentot’s Bread ............ Gcedosrev tle caloe vole seidnns seed Ofmemmaeet i
11. Little Table-Mountain, and Verméulen’s house ...ccsccsscsssscesseeceeee 168 117.183.
12. Spitskop, the highest peak of the Snow-Mountains......ee-ssecseseeee 185 125. 184.
13. Weapons of the Bushmen..... Sessa seecileeoee' itetaess RennOn Scadinessossiacs 106 7 HOS
14. Bushman arrows .......seceee- fae BORER Fl See Meee Meeiaatcnase oe Lael OOmZOUS
15. A group of the Hunting Eigetins, ehied Wild ie SRGASA dire bene 227° 229
16. A Wild Dog, or Hunting Hyena...... Soeciaties victhcesgueentcenesaniaeg oO CremoeS
17. Sensavan, the Sibilo mine......... ete Netto e tes Es EE Mere eat CO Oke OO
18. The Unlucky-wood ........+.... Maule cacacable se seists Med aalccce ces aeons 259 258
19. A scene at Knegt’s Fountain... ...cceceseeeees aisaiolap lotsa cienaeemeee eaencines ZOO 1 269
20. Triaspis hypericoides.....ss.ss.sseeee peelefata sis'eit’s ois seins soieanaive urement: <« 290 “280
21. Portrait of a Bachapin Herdsman .........++++ee00e weneenans aaetececciea 291 303
22. The Péeli, or Antilope villosa .....s.cssescccccccenccseeecsercccesseeseeses SOD = 302
23. The Lindng, or Vultur occipitalis........ ed eeisistelsais wee deeebetee ec temse OLO aS 254329:

. The Crescent-horned Antelope, or Antilope lunata......ssessesseereee 335 335

25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.

36.
Silke

38.

39.
40.
41.
4:2.
4S wrcidemte siacle's
44.
45.
46.

VIGNETTES.

Page
Tail and Hoofs of the Crescent-horned AMUCIOPES sacswseareteswesswensse GOO
Travelling over the Great Plains of Litakun ..... esate sisi Wea seoeeewes 340

Houses at Litakun.. ere enssneeeedesnccseresarees SOT
First Interview with Te Chief of 1 Feo. see euiseaeearaises 358
BachapinzcanGals:.c.s-ssecsweracscsesess Bleipair oie as swale Sosleeieels ees 380
The Chief and his party, sitting in te Mootsi se vseestscecesccssescseces SSL
Portrait of Boklookwe ......... Seedesees eee sesecsoncccscsscedsesengescseccce 433

A Bichuana Blacksmith, at work ..............0000ee ieee ass eeeeniineees 434
AS Nuakketst, Plat sisi ie cise csceesses cuss sescensns Se icnvnn tas siecenotes awenw 510
The Dwelling-house of Kramori, a Bachapin Chieftain ........... aun, OL
View and Plan of the Dwelling-house of Mollémmi, the Chief’s
brother \oesseaicees ours cloisnisisiince st friseabwecsune saceeeeene pencieneeeetc 528
Heads of two fashionable young Men of Litakun ........cescseseeesees 529

Bichwana,, Ornaments ..saisi.csccesces<acees-cosees eeonreieine Beiscee cocaine ieee SOT
Necklace ...... Sse sein eceirs oiciele te ental eoisleiceslajemien aes ene tesa tener 567
Ear-ornaments eeeoecoreerteoe @eeecsesce @eoeresosecee COKSHR HOCH SSE HTT HOH OEE H ee oe8 567

Copper Bracelets: ceca: stecesisssscoenenns ns cssecnlons cs ees saclesleeatioe'<walemel 090.7
Bachapin Ornaments ....00...+++06 deers sae tow ess salewaesisneeisse coal Gn iainas O71
Ivory Armlets .........c000 rere Rueteesenes isch Sienactanscte Seer all
Platted Bracelet .........+scscceees Mabeweteenasie waded ve SelveSevec ween Gece Ory L

Dancing-rattles ...esccscsscseesccoreaeresccesscccssnscerseasascoses pistes? DTA
Amulet ..... Rneese Meee wale daseaebesies see's Seedwsswaniisions Socledecenicesinssiee ea DL.
Bachapin Knives ......ecessseceerescncseccsscesceseseeces cesses easeerecn ee sess. OD
aeeseaiee RETNICECILEST eacinatccece cette nact beni cbiciseisincine cls swiss elsaieisiosieligicise sencimentiO

easwenets «.» Whistles...:......000. Maieinonmacatt SMede sae bees tedeacdecewe. Seeeeenee . OWS
aerscosscese Milk-bag .ssscocesrocesccessecsnescscoeasesesceserpecsessscsvscees OOS
« SPOONS .e-.cesseeserse biniiaastefrslbsisless/ sadiesisinitelsesiossaceqsiicsses (00)
pooaseoes CATVING-INStIUMENLE ....cccccecrcrepecgerescecesvensesecnses seseee 5S
sseee, Ornamental Carving ...... secceerdesoveoneeosesscesccsseseccesece 59G
The Koveh, a kind of Hassagay manufactured by mm Nudkketies 599

Described at
Page

336

260.
. 360.

340.

ERRATA.

VOL. I.

Page vii. line 5. from the bottom, for are read is.

xl. ... 24. for page 550. read 350.

85. ... 7. for is read are.

122. ... 18. for drank read drunk.

133. ... 12. for fixed read placed.

153. ... 8. for they read the rains.

164. ... 37. for riffle read rifle.

168. ... 29. for incumbrance read encumbrance.

172. ... 15. for browze read browse.

182... 9. for are read is.

198. ... 27. for were read was.

236. ... 26. for tract read track.

259. ... 11. of the note, for tortuosa read tortuosum.

263. ... 12. for coot read coots.

265. » 7. of the note, for Namaquana read Na-
maquanus.

270. ..- 18. dele which.

275. ... 19. for bring zead brings.

276. ... 21. for irruption read eruption.

288. .., 4. of the note, for piligenu read piligera.

308. ... 5. for their read the.

310. ... 3. of the note, for Peteoli read Petioli.

S17. 3. -——— for viginti, read quinqua-
ginta.

319» ... 32. foris read are.

343... 6. dele seldom.

361. ... 33. dele all.

366. ... 21. for it read them.

387. ... 9. of the note, after Folia insert opposita.

— ee for rigidia read rigida.

ihe Beacons (fn — for 14. read 18.

— ... 11. — for petiloantia read petio-
lantia.

414. ... 5. for was read were.

430. ... 10. for mover 7ead move.

482. ... 13. dele totally.

501. ... 17. of the note, for cristatus rend cristatum,

516. ... 1. for idea read ideas.

Page 516. line 2. for they read it.
1+. 3. for them read it.

536. ... 25. for these read those.
543. ... last but one of the note, for 140°, read
120°.

562. ... 9 in the column of Stations, for
2181 read 216}.

— .. 10. —————-- Jor 701 read 699.

564. ... 3. ———-————— for 791 read 789.

— we Sor 308} read 306}.

— .. 10. -——__——_ for 180) 7ead=1833.

576. .. 23. and 27, for have read has.

In the Map (in some impressions) in the last line of ¢ the
Interpretation of Dutch words,’ after contradistinc-
tion add to achter.

for Schoornsteenberg (in the Roggeveld

Karro), read Schoorsteenberg.

for Decr. 4. and Decr. 6, (on the Sunday

and Kuga rivers) read Novr. 4, and Novr. 6.

Jor Further (in the Bokkeveld and Rogge-

yeld) read Farther.

dele Grooce R. (in the Cape Peninsula, )
—, the words ‘The new River,’ are not in

tended as its proper name, this being unknown: it

has, in the narrative, sometimes been called the

Friendly River.

VOL, II.
Page 16. line 21. after could, insert have.
21. ... 1.’ of the note, for candicans, readalbicans.

69. ... 19, & 20. transpose the words pleasing and
unpleasing.

-. 10. after praiseworthy, add in their sight.
in the title of the chapter, for Graffreynet read
Graaffreynet. 3

225. ... 29. dele who.
549. ... 5. for emigrations read migrations
592. .. 14, dele In size.

121.
222.

CHAPTER I.

JOURNEY FROM KLAARWATER TO KAABI’S KRAAL.

Tue sun had scarcely risen above the horizon, when already we had
begun to prepare for departure. Some further arrangements, toge-
ther with packing our baggage upon the oxen, yoking the team to
the waggon, and taking leave, each one of his particular friends,
detained us still four hours longer at Klaarwater, notwithstanding
the eagerness which the whole party evinced to commence the
journey. For my own part, taught by past experience how soon
disappointments and unforeseen difficulties might overtake me
at this unpropitious place, I dreaded every moment’s delay ; and
therefore hurried my Hottentots away, taking the lead myself, and
ordering the ox-riders to follow immediately. They were assembled
before the hut of the captain, who, with his companions and _ par-
tisans, continued to express their disapprobation of my plans, and
to consider the undertaking as an ill-advised and perilous attempt,
VOL. I. B

2 SENTIMENTS AT DEPARTURE. 24, 25 Fes.

which might lead to our destruction ; and which, at best, presented,
according to their views, little probability of a successful result.
The principal inhabitants of the kraal, when we bade them farewell
and rode off, viewed us as persons whom they had no expectation
of ever seeing again.

As soon as we had lost sight of the village, and my party had
all joined company, I rejoiced at finding myself once more free ; and
felt relieved from an oppressive and teasing load of daily vexations,
which the lightness of my spirits now assured me I had left behind.
As the African custom (Vol. i. page 173.) of accompanying a tra-
veller for a short distance out of their kraal, was in this instance
either forgotten or intentionally omitted, our communication with
the inhabitants of Klaarwater ended when we passed their huts:
and we were thus left sooner at liberty to turn all our thoughts
forward.

Not to allow time for the disheartening and ill-foreboding re-
marks which had just been sounded in our ears, to make any
impression on the minds of my men, or to shake the courage, or
cloud the alacrity, with which they had commenced the undertaking,
I seized the first moments to speak of our journey in a manner which
should convince them that there was in my own mind not the least
doubt of success. I know not whether such an address might have
been at that time really necessary, or how far it might have operated
in re-inspiring them with confidence ; but I felt truly happy at no-
ticing the pleasure with which they talked on the subject, and their
congratulations to each other on having at last completed all arrange-
ments, and on being now actually on the road.

We drove with us six sheep, as a resource whenever our hunting
should fail to supply us with game; and the appearance of the party
was much enlivened by the company of our faithful dogs; to all of
which, I confess, I felt a kind of attachment which derived additional
strength from the peculiar circumstances of the journey now before
me. But Wantrouw had gradually rendered himself the favorite,
and seemed conscious of the preference, as he always kept close by
my side, excepting when the chase, in which he was eager to excess,

4
ra
t
H
4
‘

1812. BULBOUS PLANTS. —SPRINGHAAS. 3

called him away. Having been for a long time past disused to
travelling, the sharpness of the road soon rendered their feet sore ;
and it was fortunate that at the beginning of the journey we had an
opportunity of letting the poor animals ride in the waggon.

In seven hours we reached Gattikamma, where we halted and
passed the night.

25th. As the sun, rising in a cloudless sky, announced that the
day would be oppressively hot, we resumed our journey early in
the morning and while the air still retained some of the coolness of
night.

I now looked in vain for that rosy wild flower-garden which de-
corated these plains on our former visit to the Asbestos Mountains.
It had totally disappeared; and so astonishingly, and almost. in-
credibly rapid, is the progress of vegetation in these regions, with
respect to bulbous flowers, that in the short space of ten days the
beautiful lilies *, then observed just coming into bloom, had com-
pleted their flowering, and ripened their seed ; the flower-stems were
dried up, had parted from the roots, and were nearly all blown
away.

Many burrows of the Springhaas + attracted our notice. These
animals, making their holes in soft sandy ground, were said to derive
great assistance from their hinder feet, in throwing out the sand
which they loosen with their fore paws; and which, as the nails
of these paws have so little the appearance of being worn, may
perhaps be the only reason why they have been supposed to dig only
with their hinder feet; a supposition which I have before recorded.
although contrary to my own opinion.

The heat of the day compelled us to rest during three hours at
Aakaap ; but we arrived at the Kloof village an hour and a half be-
fore sunset. Here we found Ruiter waiting in readiness for us ;
although Captain Berends had not been able in the mean time to

* Amaryllis lucida: noticed in the first volume at pages 536. and 541.

+ Pedetes Caffer. — Compare the above remarks with what has been said in Vol. I. at
page 487.
B 2

4 FRIENDLY ASSISTANCE. 26 Fes.

procure any further addition to our number: I was, however, well
satisfied at having secured even one more.

Our viaticum of corn consisted only of about half a bushel of
wheat, which the people immediately set about grinding; the mill
at this place being fortunately in better order than the one at Klaar-
water.

26th. We obtained a quantity of dakka, or hemp-leaves, a very
acceptable present to the Bushmen, who, as before stated, use it
for smoking instead of tobacco. As a precaution, I ordered a large
jug of milk to be boiled, that we might take it with us; for I had
remarked, that when not boiled, it had, in a few hours’ travelling,
either turned sour, or by the constant motion become buttermilk,
the butter having been completely separated by this kind of churning,
and formed into round balls, which floated on the surface. We also
cast an additional store of bullets, that we might be prudently pre-
pared against any attack from the inhabitants of the country through
which we were about to pass, and whose disposition was equally
unknown to all of us; although, while making this provision, we
were more inclined to believe it would only be consumed in hunting.
I made another drawing of the village and surrounding mountains,
from a point of view different from those of my former sketches.*

The business of grinding corn detained us till past three in the
afternoon ; when I took my leave of the friendly Captain Berends,
to whom, indeed, I was indebted, in the affair of hiring men, for all
the assistance which I had received, beyond what had been affected
by my own Hottentots. The inhabitants of his kraal assembled
around us to witness our departure, and bade us farewell in a manner
which afforded pleasure to myself, and animated all my party with the
highest spirits, and raised their confidence in a safe return ; a con-
fidence of no small importance on such occasions, and not of mere
imaginary utility in contributing to ultimate success.

We followed the course of the rivulet as it winds along the nar-

See the Vignette in Vol. I. at page 323.

1812. SCENERY IN THE ASBESTOS-MOUNTAINS. 5

row valley which conducts it through the Asbestos Mountains towards
the Gariep.* This valley is more romantic and picturesque than
any which I had seen since leaving the Hex-river kloof. The
mountains, which are essentially the same sort of clay-slate which has
been already described, rose close on either hand in bold majestic
forms, in some places clothed with luxuriant verdure, or more fre-
quently exhibiting their steep rocky sides sprinkled here and there with
light bushes growing out of their crevices, and enlivening with tints
of verdure the rich and varied browns of their broken crags. Along
the dale below we rode in many places over a thick and verdant
carpet of the most beautiful grass +, shaded often by the soft foliage
of large trees of acacia, whose branches were loaded with festoons ot
clematis hanging wild with all the grace and charms of Nature, and
decorating them with a profusion of white flowers, which diffused their
delicate and grateful odor through the airy grove. In one spot, an
immense mass of rock, or rather a mountain, reared its lofty precipice
high above our heads, and, partially covered with evergreens and
various shrubs, presented a subject for both admiration and regret,
since time and circumstances allowed me no opportunity for making
a drawing of the scene.

Our road became more irregular and hilly, leading us sometimes
through the dry bed of the rivulet ; sometimes halfway up the sides
of. the mountain; and often through thickets of acacias, which
abounded throughout the whole length of the valley; and, as we
passed, lent their friendly aid in sheltering us from the burning rays
of the sun.

A clear refreshing spring which we perceived hard by beneath
the trees, tempted us to halt a few minutes to quench our thirst :
it was the cool fountain of a Kraal of Koras, whose sheep and oxen
were in sight grazing upon the sides of the hills around. A few of

* Vol. I. page 334.

+ Catal. Geogr. 2570. Exceedingly like the Wire-grass of the island of St. Helena
(Agrostis linearis, Willd. S. P.), and near akin to that which is called Cocksfoot-grass by
theEn glish farmers, (Panicum Dactylon, Linn. Cynodon Dactylon, Pers.)

6 HALTING AT JAN BLOEM’S KRAAL. 26 Fes.

its inhabitants advanced to greet us as we rode by, and one or two of
the men acknowledged us as old acquaintances, having met us before
when we were hunting hippopotami on the banks of the Kygariep.

To avoid a long circuit, which the rivulet now began to take, we
quitted the deep valley and ascended to an elevated level country,
very thickly covered with large trees of the Hookthorn, between
which we were obliged very cautiously to wind our way for about a
mile and a half. After this we descended again into the valley, and
continued, among acacias, to follow the bed of the rivulet, which at
this season was every where dry.

A little farther we came to another spring of water equally
pure and delightful, and our party again felt it necessary to quench
their thirst. This fountain was occupied by a kraal of Mixed-Hot-
tentots, the friends and relations of those who dwelt at the village of
the Kloof. The men and women were at this hour absent, hunting
or tending their cattle, or in search of wild roots, or collecting fire-
wood ; but several little groups of children ran out from the thickets
which concealed their huts, to view us as we passed. They knew old
Cobus and Ruiter, and were therefore not afraid to creep out of their
hiding-places and run towards us; but they eyed me with some doubt
and shyness, and seemed half-inclined to run back again.

At a short distance beyond this kraal we found another, consist-
ing of seven huts and a large proportion of inhabitants, who were also
of the race of Mixed-Hottentots; their chief was named Jan Bloem.*
With the people of this kraal most of our party were well acquainted,
and, as few amongst us were good swimmers, and nearly all of these
were expert in that art, from having resided so long on the banks of
the Gariep, they were easily persuaded to lend us their assistance in
crossing the river; especially as I promised to reward them for their
services. It was therefore agreed, it being already past sunset, that
we should pass the night at this kraal, that they might put themselves
in readiness to accompany us in the morning.

* He was son of a freebooter of the same name, hereafter mentioned under date of
the 17th of June.

1812. A HOTTENTOT VILLAGE. — WIRE-GRASS. |

The situation of this little village, if such an appellation does not
express too much, was exceedingly sheltered and rural: on one side
embosomed in a grove of tall acacias, overtopped by the surrounding
mountains ; on the other, enclosed by a rocky precipice, under which
stood their mat-houses and the cattle-kraals. Their oxen and goats
appeared to be numerous, and were seen every where around, coming
home from pasture. ‘There was a small garden fenced round with a
dry hedge, and irrigated by a trench which conducted water from a
spring not far off; and in it were cultivated chiefly tobacco, maize,
pumpkins, and dakka. The lowing of the oxen, the milking of the
cows, and the playfulness of the goats butting against each other, or
familiarly browsing close to the huts, or mingling with the dogs and
cattle, gave a truly pastoral character to the spot; while the abun-
dance of trees rendered the scene rich and harmonious to the eye, and
solicited the attempts of my pencil.

In verdure and beauty, the wire-grass far excelled every other grass
of the valley; and I doubt not that its qualities, in an agricultural
view of them, would equally prove its superiority in the climate of
the Gariep. At least, analogy with the wire-grass of St. Helena and
the doop-grass of India, induces me to form this opinion, and to re-
commend a trial of it to the agriculturists of Africa: and if, indeed,
this be not identically the same species, it so closely resembles it, as
hardly to be distinguished but by a botanist. In this romantic valley
it formed a thicker turf, and appeared of a softer and finer nature,
than any other grasses which have fallen under my notice in these
regions.

A trifling circumstance which happened here, is worth mention-
ing, because it confirms what has been asserted on a former occasion *,
respecting the faculty possessed by these natives, of distinguishing and
recognising their cattle individually. In the team which drew my
waggon, were several oxen, all of an uniformly black color, and ap.

* Vol. I. page 175.

8 A REMARKABLE INCIDENT. 26, 27. Fes.

parently of equal size and form. Immediately on my arrival here,
one of them was, without any previous examination, or the least hesit-
ation, pointed out by one of the Hottentots of the kraal, as having
several years before, when he lived in Namaqualand, belonged to him;
and on my expressing a doubt that it could be the same ox, since I
had purchased it in the neighbourhood of Cape Town, he desired my
driver to put his finger into its nostrils, when he would feel the hole
through the septum, which had been made by him to receive the
bridle, as it had been trained, while in his possession, for a riding-ox.
And this was directly ascertained to be the fact ; although the hole had
hitherto escaped the notice of my own people ; who, now, were pleased
at finding that we possessed a riding-ox among the number. This
animal, which perhaps originally had been obtained by barter from
some more inland tribe, happened, as its owner recollected, to have
been one of a large herd which had been brought into the colony and
exchanged to some of the boors, for articles of which they were then
more in need. In this manner it had changed masters till it became
Frans Van der Merwe’s, and had now completed the tour of Southern
Africa; but it was yet destined to visit other regions in the interior,
until at last it was, I believe, one of the four-and-twenty which were
stolen from me one night by the Caffres in the Zuureveld.

My people were supplied by their friends here with pumpkins
and milk for their supper. In the evening, Gert, who was exceedingly
attentive, and desirous of evincing, by every act of service in his power,
his gratitude for my past kindnesses towards him, came to me to beg in
the name of the rest that I would play on the lute, as this was to be the
last evening they could have an opportunity of hearing this instrument
until my return. I willingly granted their request ; and thus myself
took leave of a valuable friend: for the fear of accidents, on so rough
a journey, prevented my taking it with me farther than the river.
Perhaps this was the first time since the creation, that these groves
and rocks re-echoed the sound of the flute; and the novelty of the
entertainment commanded the attention of the whole kraal, who
had for this purpose assembled at a little distance round my waggon.

1812. THE PLEASING EFFECTS OF MUSIC. 9

_ The complete silence which prevailed, indicated their fondness
for music; however rude the sounds which the wild uncultivated
Hottentot himself may be able to produce. He will sometimes take
his gorah, and, unintelligible as his notes may seem to a more polished
ear, will sit by his fire, or in his hut, playing them over for hours
together, with increasing pleasure and satisfaction: while his friends
around him listen without growing weary; and perhaps among their
number some one, captivated by so great a display, as they may deem
it, of musical power, may catch the spirit of emulation and long to
play as well: or even may his notes inspire more tender feelings ;
and youth and innocence may listen to them with delight. I confess
that I warmly participated in the amusement of the evening; and
never before felt so satisfied and proud of my own performance: but
my pride was surely allowable on such an occasion, and I doubt
whether the most accomplished performer in Europe, feels at the
rapturous applauses of a refined audience, a gratification greater than
that which I received on witnessing the pleasure which my music
afforded to a kraal of simple Africans. It was the pride of being
able to render my fellow-men happy, even though but for a few
hours: it was the heart, and not the head, which claimed the whole
enjoyment. How often, when far removed from these wild regions,
has memory carried me back to scenes and amusements such as these,
again to try the question whether man find not an equal portion of
happiness, and feel not equally the care of a kind Providence, in the
civilized, and in the uncivilized state. How often have I travelled
over my journey again, to dwell a longer time at those places where
the goodwill of my fellow creatures, and innocent pleasures, have
beguiled my hours, and soothed the pains of the more rugged and
unkind parts of my road.

27th. Karly the following morning we left Jan Bloem’s Kraal,
accompanied by its chief and six of his people. The distance to the
river was not more than four miles; but having quitted the valley,
that we might take a more direct road to the ford, we no longer met
with the same romantic scenery, nor even with rocks of the same
nature; these appearing every where, in this day’s journey, to consist
VOL. Il. c

10 A KRAAL OF KORAS. — AUTUMNAL COLORS. ~ ~- Q7 FEB.

of a stone formed of various fragments conglutinated by a calcareous
basis * ; and such as might be classed as a species of “ pudding-stone.”
The spot where we had intended to cross the river, bore the name
of Engelsche Drift (English Ford) among the Klaarwater people, on
account of its having been passed eleven years before, by a party
from Cape Town, sent into the Transgariepine to purchase cattle for
the government. The river, being here divided into two streams by
an island, was found to be at this time too rapid and rough to be
forded without danger: we therefore again yoked the oxen to the
waggon, and proceeded to another place about two miles and a half
higher up the stream. It was at this spot where the unfortunate
Cowan and his party forded the Gariep, never more to return.

Here we found a kraal of Koras stationed with their cows, oxen,
and goats: they appeared, like most of the natives in this part of the
country, to possess but few sheep, a fact which is to be accounted for,
perhaps, by the greater care, and better pasture, required for these,
than for the rearing of goats. Their huts were irregularly placed in
the acacia groves, and so completely concealed by intervening thickets,
that we might have passed the river without discovering them, if
their inhabitants had not, in their usual friendly way, come out to
make their salutations, as soon as they knew we were arrived.

The branches of the acacias here were frequently decorated with
a handsome kind of Mistleto (or, more correctly, a species of Loran-
thus,) whose fine scarlet berries appeared very conspicuous and orna-
mental. The delightful scenery of the Gariep had lost nothing of its
power of pleasing, by having been admired so often before; but as I
had not till now beheld the willows in their sober autumnal colors,
they possessed for me, a new charm. In Africa we look in vain for
those mellow beautiful tints with which the sun of autumn dyes the
forests of England. Examples of this change of color meet the eye
so rarely in these arid deserts, that whenever they do perchance
occur, they will forcibly, and by a natural association of ideas, remind

* To this rock may be referred generally the description and remarks given in the
first volume, at pages 398 and 399.

1812. EVERGREENS. — THE RAFT. 1]

the European traveller of his native land. To call the shrubs and
trees of these countries, evergreens, would occasion very erroneous
ideas to those whose notions are formed by what are commonly
denominated so, in the gardens of our own country: although, in fact,
there are few which are at any season quite destitute of leaves. But
that broad and green foliage, that fresh and lively complexion, do not
belong to the general character of the woods and thickets of the
Interior; notwithstanding some exceptions. These last remarks,
however, must be considered as applicable only to the regions remote
from the sea-coast: there are forests and woods in other parts, which
exhibit a very different and superior character.

As it could not be expected at this season of the year, that the
waters of the Gariep would be so low as to admit of our fording it,
our object had been to find a part of its course where the stream
was of the least width, or of greatest depth; as in this latter
case the surface would be more still and smooth, and the current
less rapid and powerful. We now, therefore, had to construct a raft
fit for conveying over our bedding and goods, our guns and am-
munition, as well as those of our party who were unable to swim
across.

With this view, our first business was to collect a number of logs
of dead willow wood; the acacia and other woods being too heavy
for the purpose; and even the willow when green, having the
same defect. The raft was made of a quadrangular form, of six feet
in length and the same breadth, by several regular layers of logs
crossing each other, and bound together with long strips of acacia
bark. The Hottentots have found by experience that, on such
occasions, green bark is preferable to thongs of leather or raw hide ;
because the leather or hide, when soaked in water, soon grows soft,
stretches, and becomes loose.

The raft being launched and loaded, was found not capable of
carrying more than the half of our goods ; and it then required ten
men to manage it. Some swam before and dragged it on by a rope,
while others behind pushed it forwards; but the strength of the
current continuing to carry them down the stream, they crossed in

c 2

12 ARTIFICE OF THE SWIMMERS. 27 FEB.

an oblique direction ; so that the point where they landed made an
angle of about fifty degrees with the point directly opposite to that
from which they set out.

Two of my own men who went over with the raft, to the other
bank, were left there to guard the goods; and when the others re-
turned, a glass of brandy to each was found very necessary for
reviving their courage for another trip. But they had meditated a
scheme for obtaining payment for their services on their own terms,
and this they deemed the proper moment for putting it in execution,
when one half of our goods and two of my best swimmers were on
one side of the river, and the rest on the other; for they perceived
that the raft required a greater number of hands to conduct it, than
I had with me. I had intended to pay them in tobacco and some
other useful articles; but, it seems, they had resolved on having
gunpowder, which they knew to be a commodity I was not willing
to spare, as they found from my own Hottentots that I had brought
with me no more than it was judged we should require for our
present journey.

They therefore made their demand, and considering the circum-
stances in which I stood, I at last consented to pay them what they
asked, and even more, at my return, when I could better give up my
ammunition, without risking the lives of my party by rendering our-
selves defenceless. But as they were too cunning not to know how
far | was in their power, they resolved to be paid on the spot, and
therefore, without saying any thing further, walked away, as if to return
to their kraal. My own men, though they felt as much as myself,
how little we could spare that which was so essentially necessary,
both for our safety and for procuring food, begged me at all events
to agree to their terms; especially as the late hour‘of the day
admitted of no delay. They immediately ran to inform them of my
consenting to their terms; and soon brought them back. They then
resumed the work, and plunged into the stream with another
raft-load.

In the meantime I concerted the arrangements for Gert’s return
with my waggon to Klaarwater, and left with him a goat and some

1812. CROSSING THE GARIEP. 13

goods with which he might purchase provisions during our absence.
I gave him instructions to meet me on our return, at the river with
the waggon, should he be able in time to get intelligence of our
being on the road. He then, with the assistance of Old Daniel’s
son and Muchunka, began to put the oxen to the yoke, and, as soon
as he perceived that I was safely landed on the other side, set out on
his journey home.

To save the swimmers the fatigue of bringing over the raft when
they returned, we were obliged for each load to construct a new one ;
and as soon as the third raft was put together, I seated myself upon
it, with four of my dogs, and launched into the stream. I was
attended by twelve swimmers, including all the remainder of my
men, excepting Ruiter and Nieuwveld, who remained behind to bring
over the horse, and the oxen and sheep.

We reached the southern bank just at sunset, and as soon as Jan
Bloem and his people had received the gunpowder, they returned to
the other side on ‘ wooden horses.’ * As they had exerted themselves
to their utmost in transporting our baggage over the river, and must
have been excessively fatigued before they reached home, I freely
forgave them the unfair stratagem by which they had outwitted me ;
and allowed them to plead their own necessities in excuse. We
parted good friends, and they promised to give their assistance in
swimming the cattle through in the morning; as it was become too
late to attempt it this evening.

At the place where we landed, a high precipitous bank confined
us close to the water’s edge, where it would have been highly im-
prudent to have remained till morning, exposed to the risk of being
swept away, should the river suddenly swell. It grew dark before we
had removed the goods to the higher ground ; and in this operation fate
seemed to declare that no luxuries were to be allowed me on this
journey ; for the only article [ had provided, which could be con-
sidered so, excepting tea and a bag of biscuits, was a stone bottle,

* An explanation of this term, has been given in the first volume, at page 415.

14 THE BAGGAGE DESCRIBED. 27—28 Fs.

wine; but which a small fragment of rock accidentally rolling down
from the top of the bank, now broke to pieces.

The difficulties which heavy baggage might occasion, and the
impediment it might become in crossing a pathless or mountainous
country, were considerations sufficient to restrain us from taking any
thing which was not absolutely indispensable ; and when, in debating
this question, I put aside the influence of habit and custom, and of
those necessities which belong only to civilized society, I discovered
that we might dispense with nearly every thing ; even with all our
cooking utensils, excepting a small tin pot and a tea-kettle. Without
either gridiron or saucepan, we cooked all our meat, either broiled
on the embers, or stuck on forked sticks before the fire. Nor could
we admit the encumbrance even of plates and forks. We therefore
entered upon this journey with no other provision than our watch-
coats and covering for the night, our guns and ammunition, a hatchet,
a quantity of tobacco intended principally for presents to the
Bushmen, and five sheep. To this I added for myself, three blankets,
an umbrella, and two tin boxes, one to hold my papers, my journal,
and sketches, my compass, and a few other light articles of this kind ;
and the other, a change of linen, and a small assortment of the
more important medicines, particularly the volatile alkali, or liquid
ammonia, for the bite of serpents.

28th. We passed the night without having been observed by the
natives ; and rose at day-break, hoping to see Ruiter and the cattle:
but neither were visible, though we repeatedly called over to them
so loudly that our words must have been distinctly heard, had any per-
son been there. Hour after hour elapsed, and no answer was given ;
nor was any human being to be seen along the bank. Our uneasiness
continued increasing, and every unpropitious accident was in turn
surmised, to account for their absence.

At last towards noon they made their appearance on the shore,
and in less than an hour afterwards, I had the satisfaction of viewing
the whole of my party safely landed on the southern side of the
Gariep.

Ruiter’s delay had been occasioned by an untoward circumstance,

1812. AN ACCIDENT.— THE PARTY ENUMERATED. 15

and which now deprived us of the use of one of the cattle. The
ox on which Cobus was to ride, was missing ; and, having been sup-
posed to have strayed back again to the village at the Kloof, one of
the Hottentots was despatched thither in search; yet after wasting
much time, it was at last found on the road nor far off, its rein
having been accidentally caught by a bush, from which the poor
animal had not only been unable to extricate itself, but in the struggle
had dislocated its foot. Being therefore unfit for service, it was lett
under care of the people at the kraal; and we were obliged to give
up one of the pack-oxen to supply its place; although we were then
left with no more than three for carrying all our goods, together
with the game which we might expect to shoot from day to day.

At length all being ready and the baggage properly adjusted,
we commenced our journey in the Cisgariepine, my party consisting
of six Hottentots, the Bushman Niefwveld, and Raiiter the Bachapin
whose proper name amongst his own countrymen, was Mékhéwta.

Having gained intelligence that a friendly Bushman, who, by
frequent visits to the Hottentots of the Asbestos Mountains, was
personally known to one of my men, had lately pitched his hut on
the banks of the river a few miles lower down, we bent our course
that way, intending to persuade him to accompany us; not indeed
as a guide, but for the purpose of introducing us as friends, at the
different kraals of his countrymen, at which he might be known, and
of assuring them of our good intentions towards them and of our
peaceable disposition ; but more especially, of testifying that I was
not one of the boors,—men with whom they have been unfortunately
too often on hostile terms, and of whose views they are generally
too suspicious, to allow them to pass through their country without
molestation. -

We traversed a very extensive plain, covered with grass so tall
that the dogs were completely hidden by it; but the ostriches stalked
through exposed to view, and stonebucks* here and there starting
up, bounded over it and were soon out of sight.

* Antilope rupestris, mentioned in the first volume, at page 202.

16 FRIENDLY RECEPTION AT RIIZO’S KRAAL. 28, 29 Fes.

We reached the Bushman kraal at a little before sunset. It con-
sisted only of three huts, where we found no one at home but the
women. They informed us that all the men were out hunting or in
search of food, but would return in the evening. They seemed
already satisfied of our friendly disposition, and appeared to rejoice
at the arrival of men with fire-arms, for they immediately told us
that a hippopotamus had just that moment been heard snorting in
the river close by, and begged us go and shoot it for them.

At about eight the Bushmen came home, but we found that the
man whom we wished to see, and whose name was Riizo (Reezo),
had parted from them and gone to a kraal situated at a consider-
able distance farther down the river. Our communication with
these people was attended with no difficulty, as three of our party
fortunately could speak their language; Hans Lucas, Ruiter, and
Nieuwveld: although the latter understood nothing of Dutch, but
was sufficiently acquainted with that dialect of the Hottentotish,
which is spoken by the people of Klaarwater.

One of these natives was therefore immediately sent off to in-
form Riizo of our wishes, and to desire him to come to us. In the
mean time I had the satisfaction of learning that he and some others
had long meditated an excursion to the southward, and, if it could
been done with safety, a friendly visit to the borders of the colony.

Our station, with all its living appendages of men and cattle,
presented a scene so romantic, so curious, and so fit for a picture, that
I employed the remainder of the daylight in making a drawing of
it. It was in a thick grove of acacias on the top of a high bank, at
the foot of which flowed the Gariep, extending its stream to a greater
breadth as it here changed the direction of its course, glittering
with the reflection of the warm harmonious colors of the western
sky, and the last rays of the setting sun. Evening was quickly
leading forward the darkness of night, when the broad moon in un-
clouded brightness rose to give us a day of milder and serener light,
and as she cast her beams obliquely through the branches of our
sylvan hall, made us forget the hour of rest, and pass our time as
if the night were not yet come. On one side the Bushmen and my

1812. SCENE ON THE BANKS OF THE GARIEP. 17

own men mingled in a group round the fire, sat with mutual confi-
dence, talking and laughing with each other, or silently engaged in
smoking, though frequently taking the pipe from the mouth to
join in the laugh. The subject of their conversation I could not
discover ; but the women were eager to bear their share in it, and it
was I believe merely a natural overflowing of pleasure which they
felt at receiving a present of tobacco. In another quarter, our patient
oxen lay quietly chewing the cud; and nearer at hand the sheep with
their heads turned towards the light, stood peacefully looking on.
Some of the dogs lay in different places, asleep at the foot of the
trees, while others familiarly took their place in the circle round the
fire. Various parts of our baggage, the guns and the saddle, the
karosses and skins of my Hottentots, were hanging on the branches.
Every nearer object within the grove was partially illuminated by
the blaze, and their reddened hue contrasted strongly the pale silvery
light which the bright moon shed on all without, and which here and
there gleamed between the stems, or played upon the thin and
feathery foliage. On the edge of the bank, under a wide-spreading
acacia of many stems, my own sleeping-place and baggage appeared
at the distance of a few paces, in a more retired situation; while
close at hand, but lower down the bank, stood my horse made
fast to one of the trees. Between the light foliage above our heads,
the twinkling stars enlivened our aérial canopy ; and at that hour the
brilliant Sirius in the zenith, rivalled the brightest of the planets.
For a long time after I had Jain down for the purpose of taking my
night’s rest, the novelty and singularly romantic character of the scene
kept me from sleep; and admiration at the objects by which I was
surrounded, gave rise to the most agreeable sensations and reflections,
the pleasure of which was enhanced more especially by the friendly
reception which, it now began to appear, we were likely to meet
with.

29th. I awoke long before sunrise, and watched the gradual
approach of day. As soon as the eastern sky began to assume
the rosy tints of morning, the moon faded slowly away, and a

VOL. II. D

18 SINGING BIRDS.— THE WHITE-STEM. 29 Fer.

multitude of birds, which every where inhabit the groves of the
Gariep, commenced their early song, and charmed me with their
soft enlivening notes. Notes which, though they presume to no
comparison with those of our thrush or nightingale, delight and
soothe the ear not less, and are equally expressive of the peace of
nature, and the happiness of the feathered tribe, the unmolested
tenants of these woods.

Having waited at this spot till more than two hours after midday,
in fruitless expectation of seeing Rizo, we took our departure ; and
had scarcely advanced a mile when we met the Bushman who had
yesterday been sent to the kraal lower down the river. He brought
a message from Riizo, that we should come to that place and wait
till he returned from the village at the Asbestos mountains, whither
he was going to fetch some tobacco which he was to receive from
the Hottentots at that place. Hearing this, I immediately sent off
Ruiter, to bring him to us without delay; promising that he should
be weli supplied with tobacco from our own stock.

We then proceeded in a southward direction, and, leaving the val-
ley of the Gariep, ascended a rocky cliff, at the top of which the surface
of the country continued at the same level. Hence we had a command-
ing view of the river and its winding course for several miles ; and of
the Asbestos mountains to the north, and some other distant moun-
tains on the west. The most remarkable feature of this plain was a
number of scattered trees, distinguished from all I had hitherto seen,
by the color of their trunks, which appeared at a little distance as if
they had been whitewashed. From this singular character, they have’
gained the name of Wit-gat boom, which may be represented in
English by that of White-stem. *

After quitting this plain and crossing an extensive level covered
with abundance of fine grass three feet high, we came to the bed of
a considerable periodical river, where, as it was now past sunset, we
unpacked our oxen and took up our station for the night. This

* Capparis albitrunca, B. — Vide p. 343. Vol. I.

1812. ARRIVAL AT AN UNEXPLORED RIVER. 19

proved to be the new river, which hitherto was known to the Klaar-
water Hottentots, only at its confluence with the Gariep, and for a
few miles higher up its course. The water in the pools along this part
of its bed, being of a strongly brackish quality, they had designated
it merely as the Brak rivier. ‘This name, at length, was taken into com-
mon use by our party, and occasioned us totally to neglect inquiring of
the natives its proper name: a neglect which I the more regret as
the name of Brak rivier has already been given to too many streams
in the colony, to admit of increasing the number by fixing it upon
this one; to which indeed it is not applicable, excepting a few miles of
the lower part of its course. As a river of this length bears, doubt-
lessly, some distinctive appellation among the Bushmen, I have not
presumed to give it one of my own; but leave this blank in my map
to be filled up by some traveller who may hereafter discover the
name by which it has been always known to the aboriginal inhabitants
of the country.

The spot where we now for the first time fell in with it, is
pointed out on the map by the words First Station. At this season
its bed was in most places dry ; and that which in the time of the rains,
must be a deep river, was now merely a line of ponds or pools,
separated from each other, in some places by only a few yards of
dry ground, and in others by the distance of a quarter of a mile.
That pool, by the side of which we had halted, was of an intolerable
alkaline taste ; but the people were obliged to drink from it, and gladly
took advantage of the excuse it afforded, to ask for a glass of brandy
to counteract its nauseous effects. It was the more fortunate that
the water of this river was nowhere of this unwholesome nature,
excepting at the lower part of its course, as our whole stock of
brandy was contained in a quart bottle.

The country every where around us, was flat and open; and
though lightly covered with low stunted bushes, not a tree was to
be seen. At night we tied the horse and oxen to the strongest of
the shrubs; and pulling up a quantity of others, formed them into
a semicircular hedge, to shelter us from the wind and rain with
which the clouds began to threaten us.

4

90 FINDING AN OSTRICH’S NEST. 1 Marcu,

March 1st. We remained at this station till half-past eight in
the morning, in the hope that Ruiter would join us; but as we knew
that he and the Bushman could easily overtake us, we were glad to de-
part from this miserable lodging. Our good-fortune conducted us by a
solitary Buffalo-thorn (Buffel doorn*) where we found a small pond
of fresh water.

Having halted a few minutes to quench our thirst, and allow
the oxen to drink, we rode forward by the guidance of the compass
in a southerly direction over a sandy plain of fourteen miles; in
which the river twice crossed our course. In some places I observed
swallows circling in the air, a cheering sight to the thirsty traveller,
and a sure indication of water being near.

In our way over the plain, we fell in with an ostrich’s nest; if
so one may call a bare concavity scratched in the sand, six feet in
diameter, surrounded by a trench equally shallow, and without the
smallest trace of any materials, such as grass, leaves, or sticks, to give
it a resemblance to the nests of other birds. The ostriches to
which it belonged, must have been at that time feeding at a great
distance, or we should have seen them on so open a plain. The
poor birds at their return would find’ that robbers had visited their
home in their absence ; for we carried off all theireggs. Within this
hollow, and quite exposed, lay twenty-five of these gigantic eggs,
and in the trench nine more, intended, as the Hottentots observe;
as the first food of the twenty-five young ones. Those in the
hollow, being designed for incubation, may often prove useless to
the traveller, but the others on the outside will always be found
fit for eating. In the present instance the whole number were
equally good.

The expedient resorted to by Speedman on a former occasion,
was now adopted to a certain extent: after filling all our bags, the
sleeves of their watch-coats, and their second pair of trowsers were
crammed full of eggs. It was considered as an auspicious omen

* Rizyphus bubalinus..

1812. ALKALINE WATER. 21

that at the commencement of our journey, so valuable a prize had
been placed in our way. Our faithful dogs were not forgotten in
the division of the spoil; and their share, which we immediately
broke into a bowl, was eaten up on the spot.

Meeting again with the river, we halted and unpacked our oxen,
that they might graze for an hour or two; though little benefit was
to be derived from the situation, as the pool at this place was quite
salt, and not less unfit for use, than the alkaline water at the First
Station. The quality of the ponds in the lower part of this river,
is probably not at all seasons equally objectionable, and while the
stream continues to flow along its bed, the wafer will every where
be serviceable, because the saline solution from the soil, is then con-
stantly weakened and carried off by the accession of fresh water
from the higher part of its course. At other times, when the stream
ceases to run, the pools remain, at first tolerably drinkable; but in
proportion as the quantity of water is lessened by evaporation,
this solution becomes more concentrated. It should not be sup-
posed that occasional showers in the immediate vicinity of these
brackish ponds, would tend to improve them, because those showers
must wash down more of the same salts from the surface of the soil,
which, at the part where we had now halted, was covered principally
with such shrubs and plants as afford alkali: these were the Kanna-
bush, and another whose name of Brak-boschjes * (Brackish Bushes)
indicates that their nature has been well observed by the inhabitants.

We made our dinner from the ostrich-eggs ; each of the Hotten-
tots eating a whole one, although containing, as already mentioned,
as much food as twenty-four eggs of the domestic hen. It is there-
fore not surprising that I found myself unable to accomplish my share
of the meal ; even with the aid of all the hunger which a long morn-
ing’s ride had given me. ‘The mode in which they were cooked, was

* A shrubby species of Atriplex, probably the A. candicans. Yet the name of Brak-
boschjes does not exclusively belong to this plant.

A sort of Statice was found growing in abundance on spots of the saline nature here
described. (Compare with p. 454. of Vol. I.)

92 HOTTENTOT MODE OF COOKING AN OSTRICH-EGG. 1 Marcu,

one of great antiquity; for all the Hottentot race, their fathers, and
their grandfathers’ fathers, as they express themselves, have practised
it before them. A small hole the size of a finger was very dextrously
made at one end, and having cut a forked stick from the bushes,
they introduced it into the egg by pressing the two prongs close to-
gether; then by twirling the end of the stick between the palms of
their hands for a short time, they completely mixed the white and
the yolk together. Setting it upon the fire, they continued frequently
to turn the stick, until the inside had acquired the proper consistence
of a boiled egg. This method recommends itself to a traveller, by
its expedition, cleanliness, and simplicity ; and by requiring neither
pot, nor water; the shell answering perfectly the purpose of the first,
and the liquid nature of its contents, that of the other.

During the time of our halt, the weather which had been fair all
the forenoon, began to change; and clouds thickening over the sky,
threatened us with instant rain. Seeing this, the Hottentots were
preparing a shelter, with the view of remaining at this spot till the
morrow ; but deeming it better to be riding, than sitting still, in the
rain, I ordered them to re-pack the oxen, that, by proceeding farther,
we might reach some better water before dark.

We had but just set out, when a party of eight people was per-
ceived hastening towards us; and a nearer approach enabling us to
discover that Makhowta (Ruiter) was of the number, we halted tili
they came up with us. He had not only, without much difficulty,
prevailed on Riizo to relinquish his tobacco journey, and come
directly to us, but our good fortune had so arranged it, that there
happened to be at the same time at that place, the captain, or chief,
of a large kraal which lay exactly in the direction of our course.
This man, being about to return home, had himself proposed to join
our party, and was now, with that intent, accompanied by three of
his men, and three women, one of whom was his wife.

I immediately fulfilled the promise of tobacco which Makhowta
had in my name made to Riizo and at the same time made a present
of an equal quantity to the captain, and to each of his party. This

1812. ~ MEETING WITH RIIZO AND KAABI. 23

act of generosity at once established me in their good opinion, and
Kaabi, for that was the chief’s name, to express his gratitude, pledged
himself for my safety while I remained in his part of the country,
and for a friendly reception at his village.

We then rode forward ; our Bushman friends following on foot,
and evidently as happy at having gained my friendship, as I was at
securing theirs. Guided only by my compass, as the day was dark
and cloudy, we continued for nearly three hours travelling over a
plain having no visible termination, nor any eminence to break its
perfect uniformity. Its soil differed totally from that of the plain
which we had crossed in the morning: the surface was of a harder
nature, and in some places it was strewed with pebbles ; but scarcely
any grass, and not a bush or shrub higher than half a foot, was any
where to be seen.

A herd of antelopes* of the species known among the boors
by the misapplied name of Gemsbok + was observed at a distance,
but on account of the openness of the country, it was useless for us
to pursue them, as we could never have approached within musket
shot.

It rained incessantly the whole afternoon ; but towards sunset
the weather began to clear up; and, as all were most uncom-
fortably wet, we resolved to unpack at the first spot which offered
any shelter for the night, and the means of making a fire to dry our
clothes. But no such place presenting itself, we were at last content
to take up a station amongst a few stunted Driedoornst (Threethorns }
the largest of which was not higher than three feet. Here, exposed
upon the bare open plain, we passed the night.

* Antilope Oryx.

+ The name of Gemsbok belongs properly to the Antilope rupicapra of Europe, the
Chamois of the Alps. By the same misuse of names, the Kanna of the Cape Colony is
called Eland, which is the proper name of the Cervus Alces or Elk. So also is the name
of a common European animal, the Reebok or Roebuck, applied to two animals of another
genus, and which are found only in Southern Africa.

$ Rhigozum trichotomum ; described in the Ist volume, at page 299.

24 BUSHMAN PIPE.— HARDSHIPS OF SAVAGE LIFE. 1, 2 Marcu,

Only one of the Bushmen had kept up with us; all the rest
having parted company during the rain. As soon as we halted, his
chief care was to make a call to his companions, to inform them
where we were; and for this purpose he continued for some time at
intervals to blow his pipe. This was nothing more than the ébia, or
shin-bone, of one of the smaller antelopes, into which he blew at one
end, in the manner of a ‘ Pan’s reed.’ It produced an exceedingly
sharp and shrill sound, which might easily, in so open a plain, have
been heard at a great distance. To this noise we added a shout from
our whole party at once.

But these signals were not answered, nor did any of the Bush-
men join us that night; having either missed our track in the rain,
or preferred remaining under shelter during the heavy showers. As
two of the women were loaded, each with an infant at her back, I -
could not but feel compassion for them, exposed all night, perhaps
without shelter, food, or fire. I was, however, wrong in measuring
their sufferings by the standard of European hardships: they are
accustomed, from their birth, to such a mode of life, and have been
gradually inured to all the inclemencies of the weather. They feel,
possibly, much less of these hardships than we may suppose ; because
they are never made sensible of them by the contrast of luxuries en-
joyed at other times. But to a European, the case is widely different ;
and some powerful feelings of the mind are required for supporting
the body through all the inconveniences and privations of savage life.

The rain had ceased ; but lightning at a distance in every quarter,
made us to look around for materials to form some shelter from the
gathering storm ; but nothing could be found suitable to this purpose,
and the threethorns, being scantily furnished with leaves, were not
better than dead sticks. Our cattle supped sufficient water from the
puddles, but we ourselves remained without any till the morning.

Philip and Nieuwveld were sent to explore a narrow beaten
track which had been made by the wild animals. rom the long-
trodden appearance of this path, we knew that it would conduct us
ultimately to water, but in the dusk of the evening, they were unable

1812. KAABI’S WIFE. 25

to discover the right direction, and unfortunately took that which
carried them farther from it; for, in the morning, it was found close
at hand on the opposite side.

In this wet and cheerless state, and to console them for the dis-
appointment, the Hottentots begged that the remainder of the brandy
might now be distributed; and, heedless of the prospect of being
more in want of it than at present, seemed glad at any excuse for
asking for it.

We spread our skins and bedding upon the wet ground; and, if
Wantrouw felt the advantage of being my favorite, I now reaped the
benefit of being his; for he slept so close to my feet that I passed
the night without the least inconvenience from cold, although my
blankets were covered with a heavy dew.

~ Under my saddle, which at night was always used as a pillow, I
found in the morning that two /izards, induced also by the warmth,
had taken their lodging. Harmless as I judged them to be, and little
as these creatures excited any apprehension, they could not but re-
mind me that I was now exposed to the risk of sometimes having
more dangerous bedfellows —- snakes and scorpions.

2nd. At sunrise we were joined by Kaadi and his companions.
‘This man seemed to be about the age of forty ; sedate, and rather
reserved in his manners: but his wife could not have been more than
fifteen, and among Bushwomen might certainly pass as pretty. Her
height was less than five feet, and her figure proportionally deli-
cate. Her face was plump and oval; and, owing to her youth, had
not yet begun to exhibit that peculiar Hottentot feature; the narrow
pointed chin. Her eyes were remarkable for being bright and open ;
a beauty which is never retained beyond the days of youth; as con-
stant exposure to the winds, and the glare of light in a dry open
country, soon induce the habit of always keeping their eyelids half-
closed. She wore a leathern cap ornamented with beads, in the
manner represented by the engraving at the head of this chapter*,

* The figures there, of two young women of the Cisgariepine tribe of Bushmen, are
intended for giving a general idea of their dress and appearance.
VOL. II. E The

26 THE SIFTING-MAT. 2 Marcu,

and was not without some personal vanity, as may be concluded from
her wearing a great number of leathern bracelets, and a pair of cowry
shells hanging from her forehead, similar to the ivory ornaments
described on a former occasion *; and to which was added a large
copper ring in each ear. ‘The beads, which were displayed upon her
cap, were arranged not without some taste, and with great attention
to regularity. Her child, of which she was very careful:and fond,
seemed to be at least eight months old, and was never, during the
whole day, removed from her back. It was supported there by one of
the hinder aprons, turned up and tied over the shoulder; and in
this situation the poor little infant was suckled, by bringing its head
forward under the mother’s arm.

At her back also she carried a roll of skins: these being waneae
on the ground at night, served both for bedding and for a protection
from the dampness of the earth. To this load were added a sifting-
mat, and three sticks about five feet in length, used either for assist-
ing in walking, or for digging up the wild roots which she might
happen to observe on the way.

These sifting-mats are about three feet long and two broad, ex-
tended by a stick tied along each side, and by others fastened to them
transversely. They are made in the same manner as other mats,
excepting that the rushes are not so close together. When a spot of
ground is met with, where abundance of little roots are to be foundt,
the earth is broken up and carefully sifted with these mats ; by which

The figure on the right hand is represented with a leathern kaross wrapped close
about her, as it is usually held in cold weather. The cap is also of leather, and orna-
mented with beads, as here described. In her ear are two small copper ornaments of
Bichuana manufacture, better represented in the 37th vignette, and more particularly
explained in that place. ‘

The figure on the left is clothed in a sheep-skin kaross; and wears a copper ring in
each ear, two cowry shells pendent from a lock of hair on her forehead, and a row of
buttons surrounding the head and fixed also to the hair. The crown of the head is
shaved bare; this being considered a very becoming fashion for girls and young women.

* Vol. I. page 414.

+ The roots of Cyperus usitatus, called Boschman’s uyentjes, (see Vol. I. p. 417.) are
those which are most plentiful in this part of the country.

1812, A SINGULAR PHENOMENON. 27

contrivance a quantity of such small roots are collected in a much
shorter time than could possibly be done by digging them up singly
with the stick.

Just as we were beginning to pack up our baggage, we were
suddenly surprised by a sound from a distance, which all of us believed,
or rather fancied, to be the report of a musket. Thinking it might
possibly be a signal from some one sent after us by captain Berends,
we fired a gun in answer; but as no reply was made, I sent off
Speelman, Daniel, and Hendrik in that direction to reconnoitre, and
ascertain if any person with fire-arms was on that side. But in less
than an hour they returned without discovering any traces of strangers ;
and we at last were satisfied that we had mistaken the sound. Yet
I continued, for a day or two, a little uneasy at the circumstance,
until convinced that it could only bea mistake; since no stranger
could come into the country of the Bushmen, without his arrival
being immediately known to them.

We had at this time advanced much beyond the farthest point
to which the Klaarwater Hottentots had ever extended their hunt-
ings; and Hans and Cobus, the most experienced of our party, con-
sidered that we were now on unexplored ground. We became
therefore the more watchful and observant of every occurrence con-
nected with our safety and success.

We departed from Drie-doorn station at eight in the morning,
and continued our course over a plain as level and boundless as the
ocean, excepting on the west, where the rocky mountains near Mod-
der-gat interrupted the evenness of the horizon; and before us,
where the Nappika mountain, and the very distant summits of the
Hyena mountains, presented a faint object on which the sight could
rest. These latter are distinguished by the natives, with a name of
correspondent import in their language, but which in our hurry I
neglected writing down.

I here, for the first time, had an opportunity of observing that
singular phenomenon and optical illusion, of the appearance of
water, which has often been seen in the deserts of Northern Africa.

-It exactly resembled a distant and extensive lake, receding from us
E 2

98, OPTICAL LAKE. — FRESHWATER HALT. 2 Marcu,

as we advanced ; and offered a prospect the most tempting and de-
lightful, but at the same time the most tantalizing, to a thirsty
traveller ; and, to complete the illusion, its surface seemed to play
in a lively rippling motion. The day was warm and cloudless. The
cause of this phenomenon is, very probably, the vapor and heat
of the sun’s rays, reflected from a great extent of level surface.
A similar effect, on a small scale, may be observed even in England,
on very hot days: not asserting that it ever produces the appearance
of water; but meaning only that the operation of the same cause
may often be witnessed, by looking obliquely along any heated and
extensive surface. Inthe present example of this phenomenon, and
in all others which I have seen in Africa, the optical lake is only
visible when backed by very distant mountains, whose angle of alti-
tude is not greater than ten or fifteen minutes of a degree ; that is,
just appearing above the horizon: for, as the traveller advances,
and these mountains appear higher, the lake always vanishes. Con-
sequently, it divides itself into separate lakes or ponds, as soon as the
spectator’s nearer approach occasions the higher mountains of the
range, or the loftier peaks, to rise above that angle; a fact which I
have invariably noticed in such circumstances.

As if in compensation for this tantalizing illusion, we soon
afterwards came to a large pool of real water, and had cause for re-
joicing when we found it perfectly fresh. The newly-discovered
river, which we had hitherto wronged by the name of the “ Brackish
river,” seemed as if kindly resolved to keep us company and lend us
its friendly assistance during this journey; for it held the same
general course, which, according to my calculation, we ought to
take towards the Colony; although in its meanderings it often
quitted us, and as often crossed our track. From this spot, which is
marked on the map with the name of Freshwater Halt, the river in
every part upwards affords abundance of wholesome water ; and its
pools, which occur at very short intervals, are in many places nearly
confluent.

Reeds, exactly resembling the common reeds of the English
rivers, almost every where mark its course. These are a sure

1812. WATER INDICATED BY PLANTS.— THE DIGGING-STICK. 29

indication of fresh water, and, if attended to, will often be of service
in pointing out a spring at a distance, which might otherwise be
passed unnoticed. In cases where a traveller may be in want of
water while traversing the arid regions in the interior of Southern
Africa, he may sometimes be relieved from his distress by ascending
the nearest eminence, and thence carefully examining the country
with his telescope; when he may chance fortunately to discover
some clump of reeds, to which he may direct his. steps, with the
greatest probability of finding sufficient for quenching his thirst.
Some species of trees, easily distinguishable from afar, are also pecu-
liar to moist situations *, and are therefore equally useful as guides
to a spring or rivulet. These facts are well worth an African
traveller’s attention ; and a little observation will bring to his know-
ledge many others of the same kind.

We immediately unpacked the oxen, and turned them loose to
graze in some meadows of excellent grass. After making our break-
fast from the ostrich-eggs, my men found employment enough in
drying our clothes and baggage, which were thoroughly soaked with
yesterday’s rain. Philip entered upon his new office of “ washer-
woman,” nor was Speelman, or Uncle Hans, or Old Cobus, at all
surpassed by him in versatility of talents: and I believe that, had
there been amongst them a missionary of a certain class, it would not
have hurt his conscience to assert that we carried on “ eighteen dif-
ferent trades.”

We were visited by two natives, whose kraal, they said, was at
some distance eastward ; and who being out in search of wild roots,
happened to observe our track, and had discovered us by following
it. One of them wore on the side of his head, as an ornament, and
tied close to the hair, a circular plate of shining brass three inches
indiameter. The other carried, what my Hottentots called a graaf-
stok (a digging-stick), to which there was affixed a heavy stone to
increase its force in pecking up bulbous roots. The stone, which was

>

* Such as the Karree-wood (fhus viminale), the Buffalo-thorn (Zizyphus bubalinus),
the Willow (Salix Gariepina) and the Karro-thorn (Acacia Capensis).

30 TIMIDITY OF CHILDREN. — EXTENSIVE PLAIN. 2 Marcu,

five inches in diameter, had been cut or ground, very regularly to
a round form, and perforated with a hole large enough to receive
the stick and a wedge by which it was fixed in its place. <A figure
of the “ digging-stick” may be seen at the end of the chapter.

These two men, seeing that others of their countrymen were
in our company, approached us without fear, and were in all respects
friendly. We rejoiced at these symptoms of confidence, and I was
mindful to profit by every opportunity of confirming them, that they
might be induced to report favorably of us at their return to their
homes. I gave them food, of which they seemed to be much in
need ; and gratified them not less by a present of a small quantity of
dakka.

But I found it not so easy to gain the good-will of the children,
as of their parents ; for, wishing by caresses to please one of them,
I offered it a biscuit, but looking for an instant in my face, it
turned away in fright and cried most sadly ; nor could the mother,
who seemed much pleased by my taking notice of her child, overcome
the poor little infant’s terror at the sight of a white-man ; a terror of
which we may. sometimes behold the counterpart with English
children when they are caressed by a black. To me these infants
were interesting, from their small and delicate make, and their in-
nocent playfulness. Even their crying was not disgusting, because
it had not the tone of petulance or vulgarity: but this may be easily
accounted for; their tempers had certainly not been spoilt by over-
indulgence.

In compassion to our oxen, horse, and sheep, we rested six
hours at Freshwater Halt, that they might be sufficiently recruited
by the wholesome water and pasture; as we knew not whether they
would meet with the same good fortune at our next station.

In the afternoon we resumed our journey, still over a plain
without either eminence or hollow, or any visible termination
either on our left hand or before us. In this pathless expanse,
we advanced as a ship on the ocean; and, to keep my party from
wandering from the right course, I steered in a direct line, by select-
ing two bushes ahead of us, and keeping them both in one, till we

1812. DISTANCES ASCERTAINED BY PROPORTION. oh

came up nearly to the first, and then in the same manner selecting
another beyond the second: thus continuing, from point to point as
we advanced, taking a fresh object farther onwards.

Our average rate of travelling, during the whole of this journey,
was proved to be three miles and a half in the hour. Not venturing,
from fear of accident, to take my sextant on this expedition to the
Colony, I have had only the bearings and estimated distances to guide
me in laying down this part of my track on the map. But having
travelled twice over the same ground, and taken the bearings and
distances, on my return as well as at this time; and having, as fixed
and determined points at each end, the Kloof Village in the Asbestos
Mountains, and the village of Graaffreynet, I am inclined to think
that the positions assigned to my stations are not far from the truth.
And although I had not the advantage of ascertaining our rate of
travelling, by the revolutions of the wheel of my waggon, as already
explained *; yet having assumed a certain proportional scale of
hours, making occasional allowance for an accelerated or a retarded
rate, I each evening carefully plotted on paper the route of the
day ; and this proportional survey being finally laid down between
the true latitudes of those two extreme points, it is evident that the
situations of the intermediate places cannot be very erroneous.

The surface of this plain was composed of good loamy. soil,
generally covered with shrubs two feet high, but varied with frequent
extensive patches of grass, and sometimes with bushes of Lycium
which. were of a greater height than any of the other shrubs.
Plants of that singular genus Stapelia were here and there observed ;
particularly one with large flowers of a blackish-red color, and
another with yellow flowers growing in lateral umbels. Hares were
seen during this day’s ride; and many quakkas were perceived grazing
at a distance.

At sunset we ended the day’s journey, and took up our station
on the banks of the river, which we here found almost hidden by

* In the first volume, at pages 289 and 290.

32 GRASS STATION. — ROASTING A LIZARD. 2 Marcu,

grass of the most luxuriant color and growth, and which meandered
through extensive meadows of excellent soil. This spot is marked
by the name of Grass Station ; and hence upwards, the pools of the
tiver follow each other so closely that a few showers would soon
render them confluent.

We did not discover any fish in these waters ; but observed a
very pretty and new species of frog * of a green color, and marked
by a longitudinal yellow stripe on its back, and by transverse stripes
of brown on its hind legs. It was further distinguished by its silence,
or at least by croaking very seldom. Whether this silence be only
occasional, or a constant character throughout the year, I could,
as a traveller, have no opportunity of ascertaining.

Immediately on our arrival we made a fire and discharged a
musket as a guide and signal for Speelman and the others, who had
kept at a distance from the main body in hopes of falling in with
game; and who were then out of sight. In half an hour they came
home: they laid the blame of their absence upon the Bushman who
was with them; who, on the way, happening to observe a lizard,
pursued it with great eagerness, and having caught it, begged them
to halt while he made a fire. This was soon done, and almost
as soon was the lizard roasted: then cutting open the body, which
he knew contained a number of eggs, he greedily devoured them
in a manner which shewed that they were considered a dainty
morsel. Speelman, who, though a Hottentot, had a more delicate
stomach than this man, declared that, as he stood looking on with
astonishment and disgust, he could hardly restrain himself from
vomiting: indeed the bare recital of the circumstance seemed to re-
vive all the nausea which he had then felt.

But before we agree with Speelman, and pronounce this Bush-
man a monster, let us lay aside all the prejudices of education and

* Rana fasciata, B. Viridis. Param vociferans. Dorsum fascia longitudinale flava
pictum. Femora transversé fusco-fasciata. Corpus parvum breve. Pedes vix palmati.
— Rane (nec Hyla, nec Bufonis, nec Pipe) est vera species, forma pedum non ob-
stante. 3 ;

1812, MAN AN OMNIVOROUS ANIMAL. 33

custom, and plead his cause. Or, if we cannot gain for him an
acquittal of the crime of eating unclean food, let us at least examine
whether his judges be not themselves equally guilty: unless we at
once decide the question by admitting to its utmost extent, the
maxim that, there should be no disputing about tastes.

To all animals, excepting man, Nature seems to have pointed
out some particular class of food as their proper nourishment; and
when, from any morbid or depraved inclination they acquire a habit
of taking other substances, we may with justice accuse them of
having an unnatural taste. But man is left omnivorous: a fact
which his history, and daily observation, sufficiently prove; even
without the testimony of our own Materia culinaria. Throughout
the whole zodlogical system, there is scarcely a class from which,
either in one or other country, he does not convert some or many
of its species to the purpose of food, and which in all instances
afford wholesome nourishment. But it is remarkable how little man-
kind are agreed in these matters, and how few substances are eaten uni-
versally, or how few there are which are not rejected by one nation, or
another: and so patriotic in this respect, are the inhabitants of various,
and even of polished, countries, that they, or at least, the illiberal part
of them, entertain a species of contempt for those whose habits or ne-
cessities lead them to the use of aliments different from their own ; and
pity their want of judgment in not preferring those things which
they themselves find most agreeable to their own palate. To enume-
rate instances in substantiation of these assertions, is unnecessary,
because they are too numerous, and too well known: but the ap-
plication of the mode of reasoning derivable from them, seems on
the other hand, to be too little practised. To mitigate poor Speelman’s
abhorrence at the Bushman, I would have told him that there was a
nation in Europe who sometimes ate frogs, and that many of my own
countrymen were excessively fond of an animal like an enormous toad,
and not only ate its eggs, but its whole body; and that some of the most
luxurious and polished nations of the world ate lizards* also: but

* The Jeuana of the West Indies and South America; where it is esteemed a great
delicacy.

VOL. II. F

34 HOTTENTOT ADMIRERS. —BUSHMAN STONE-POT. 2, 3 Marcu,

I feared he would then have thought a European worse than a
Bushman.

Having hitherto been unable to procure any game, the diminu-
tion of my little flock of sheep became to my men as well as to
myself a subject of some anxiety ; and the addition of a number of
natives to our fire-side, increased our uneasiness. Yet resolved on
omitting nothing which could gain and secure their good will, we
always gave them a share of our provisions ; and when a sheep was
killed, they seemed to expect all the entrails as their due. The
pretty young Bushwoman was my men’s favorite, and to her they
often gave a larger portion; but the act of receiving a pot of blood
with smiles and evident pleasure, had so little of elegance in it that
their master was not likely to be one of her admirers. In slaughter-
ing cattle, both the Hottentots and Bushmen save the blood. This
being set on the fire, and kept stirred, soon becomes nearly of the
consistence of liver, and is then eaten as a dainty.

The Bushmen received a share of the fat with equal delight, and
immediately began to melt it in a little pot of their own manufacture,
and one which, apparently, was intended only for that use. It was
indeed the rudest piece of workmanship imaginable, being simply a
rough bit of stone, in which they had contrived to hollow out a small
cavity: it, however, perfectly answered the purpose for which it was
used. As we stood at their fire admiring rather the rudeness,
than the ingenuity, of it, these poor beings with all their wretched-
ness even possessed vanity at their own works, and seemed to smile
at our ignorance, and to view our surprise with feelings of conscious
superiority. The figure of this pot may be seen at the end of the
chapter; where, opposite to it, on the right, is the representation of
another, made of burnt clay, the workmanship of which, if not
Bachapin, does them more credit, being moulded to that form by
the hand only.

_ The great extent of the plain and evenness of its surface,
admitted my viewing the constellations until they disappeared below
the horizon. At this time the three well-known stars in the belt of
Orion were just setting, and induced a train of reflections on the

1812. PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF ASTRONOMY. 35

important uses to which the heavenly bodies are applied in modern
times, and on the essential service which they rendered in former ages
to the traveller while crossing the trackless sands of Northern Africa.
That a modern traveller, under circumstances similar to those in
which I was at this time placed, might derive some advantages from
them, it will be admitted; if it be supposed that necessity might
require him to travel over a plain by night, without instruments, and
at the same time to keep some account of the direction of his
route. For by noting that setting star towards which he seems to be
advancing, the bearing of his track may readily be calculated, or after-
wards ascertained by a celestial globe, to a degree of exactness quite
sufficient for such purpose. And this method will be found more
accurate in proportion as the country is nearer to the equinoctial
line; but perhaps not sufficiently correct, in those beyond the
thirtieth or fortieth degree of latitude. Thus the setting of 2 Oriontis,
or the north-westernmost star of the belt of Orion, might point
out to him the west more truly than the polar star does the north.
But in aid of these advantages, a habit of judging of angular dis-
tances, would be required whenever the atmosphere should be too
dense on the horizon, or whenever it became necessary to make use of a
star not directly in his track. Even the length of time occupied in
travelling, may be known nearly, if he note what star sets when he
commences, and what other when he ends, his night’s journey. It
must be confessed that these methods can hold but a low rank in the
science of practical geometry; but it is easy to imagine very pro-
bable circumstances in which they would be exceedingly valuable.
3rd. We were half-unwilling to quit these delightful pastures ;
and suffered our cattle to continue grazing the whole morning = In
the mean time our fires had been observed from a great distance by
a kraal of natives situated on a low hill nearly nine miles farther
onwards, and in sight from our station. They came immediately to
see who we were; and, after cautiously reconnoitring, and perceiving
that we were accompanied by some natives who were personally known
to them, they advanced towards us with friendly salutations, and with-
out hesitation joined our party. There were about eight or ten of
F 2

36 CONFIDENCE AND MISTRUST. 3 Marcu,

them, the greater part being women. To all I gave a piece of
tobacco, which was received with great joy. On this, the men
forming one party and the women another, they proceeded instantly
to light their pipes; and sat talking and smoking with the highest
glee and enjoyment. But in spirits, the women excelled their com-
panions, and chatted with each other in a style of volubility which
I had not supposed the Bushman language, with all the impediments
of its numerous claps, susceptible of. They invited us to hunt a
rhinoceros which had lately been observed browsing in the vicinity
of their kraal.

So much confidence and goodwill, shown us by a people whom
the Klaarwater missionaries had represented as the most ferocious of
savages, warmed my heart with equally kind feelings towards them,
and dispelled from my own mind every sensation of fear, however
firmly I had resolved that no favorable appearances should ever
lull our vigilance to sleep, or tempt us to think that precaution
might ever be dispensed with. But most of my own Hottentots
betrayed their timidity; and both by their looks and conversation,
declared their uneasiness at seeing so many visitors coming around
them ; although their number, including the women, amounted only
to fourteen.

As soon as the heat of noon had passed, we left the verdant
meadows of Grass Station, and rode the whole of this day in a
south-easterly course over plains, in a right line towards Water-
point, the eastern point of the Hyena Mountains, where we had been
informed that we should find the kraal of our Bushman friend Kaabi.
The natives give it a name importing “ Water-point,” on account of
the river taking its course round it. At the western end of this
range, two table-mountains form a remarkable feature.

When we had travelled nearly eight miles, we ascended a low
hill on which we were glad at finding a small pool of water, and
though it was quite muddy, halted that all the party might drink ;
for the weather had become so excessively hot, that it felt almost as
though the sun were pouring down liquid fire upon us.

I had suffered myself to be guided over this hill by our last

1812. POVERTY KRAAL. an

visitors, because they were desirous of conducting me to their kraal,
as a mark of friendship: which it certainly was, if we consider with
what jealous care this nation always conceal from the colonists the
place of their abode. They brought us to the summit of the ridge,
where, situated between heaps or hillocks of large stones, and un-
sheltered by either tree or bush, we found half a dozen wretched
weather-worn huts, having only one-third of the circumference
enclosed, and utterly incapable of protecting their inhabitants from
the inclemency of wind or rain. But at this kraal not one individual
had been left at home; want had driven every one abroad to dig up
his daily food in the plain. Within these huts there was no property
of any kind, except in one or two, a dirty furless skin, or the shell of
an ostrich-egg. Never before had I beheld, or even imagined, so
melancholy, so complete, a picture of poverty.

“ Here ;” said they, as they pointed to the huts, “ this is our
home.” — And having paused a few moments, they seated their thin
emaciated bodies on the ground, and looked up to me with such
speaking expression of humility and want, that I felt a tear, which
could not be suppressed, trickling down my cheek. Abstracted from
every other thought, my whole mind was absorbed in the con-
templation of what was before me. Well! I involuntarily exclaimed
to myself, and is ¢his the home of human beings! Have J been sleep-
ing on the bed of ease, and pampered with a thousand useless
luxuries, while my fellow-creatures have been wandering the burning
plains from day to day, and have returned at last to their wretched
huts to pass the painful night in hunger, and unsheltered from the
storm! Yes, unfavoured savages, unpitied and despised as ye are by the
thoughtless and unfeeling, ye still are men, and feel the pains of want,
the misery of care ; untutored as ye are, ye still are not too ignorant
to know that injustice and oppression confirm no right, and that God
has given liberty equally to all ; rude and uncivilized as ye are, ye still
are not insensible to the dictate of conscience, that kindnesses should
be remembered with a grateful heart. Unblest among the nations
of the earth, ye seem but to share these plains with beasts of prey,
and but to stand the next degree above them: yet do ye breathe the

38 THE KRAAL MADE HAPPY. 3 Marcu,

breath of eternal life; some rays of reason faintly light your path;
ye hold, in common with the head that wears the diadem, a lamp
which death can not extinguish, a soul which, though it would, can
never die. Your Creator and your Judge will pass unheeded all our
arrogant pretensions, and will, without respect to persons or to
nations, reward alone the good and virtuous, though His mercy may
forgive the guilty.

These reflections moved rapidly through my mind. I lost no
time, but desired my people to give these poor creatures some meat.
The Hottentots represented to me the uncertainty of our own re-
sources, and that our present stock of provisions was already so much
reduced, that prudently nothing could be spared. But feelings of
humanity and commiseration rendered it impossible for me to quit
this spot without affording some relief to their necessities; and I
ordered a large quantity to be cut off, and given to them. Their
starving appearance pleaded so powerfully, and spoke the truth so
plainly, that I could not but be convinced that these miserable desti-
tute savages had seldom tasted animal food ; and had often passed
the day without having been able to procure any sustenance whatever.

I still in imagination see the happy air of these poor simple
creatures, and the joy and thankfulness which lighted up their meagre
countenances, when they received this supply. Their grateful voices,
raised with one accord to express their feelings, still sound in my
ear; and though their words were unintelligible, their looks bespoke
their meaning and conveyed to the heart sensations the most
delightful, and repaid a thousand times the trifling sacrifice we made.

I felt unwilling to quit this little community, and wished, by being
- present, to participate in the happiness which I had occasioned. The
inhabitants had by this time all assembled, and I still lingered with
them, standing by my horse and closely surrounded by the happy
group, who pressed towards me to behold him whom they thought
their benefactor. I felt ashamed at receiving so much thankfulness
for doing so little; and had we remained much longer, I should not
have been able to resist my desire of giving them all we had left.
Their feast would not have been complete without the luxury of

1812. GRATEFUL SAVAGES. 39

smoking ; and I distributed to every one a portion of tobacco and
hemp-leaves, that the measure of their day’s happiness might be full.
To this I added a promise of more, if they would meet me on my
return from the Colony, where I expected to get a supply which
would then enable me to give more liberally than at this time.

The women, though not more grateful than the men, expressed
their feelings in a more animated manner, and seemed to view me,
not as a stranger, but as one of their own kraal, as a member of their
own family. The children too, seemed rather to believe it was some
long-absent relation returned home again; and, encouraged by the
universal joy which they beheld in their parents, they wished to
approach me and touch my horse. I took one from the arms of a
woman who was standing nearest to me, and placed it on my saddle ;
but the little thing, half-pleased and half-afraid, could only be kept in
so strange a situation by the encouragements of its mother, who
appeared delighted at my taking so much notice of her child. The
longer I stopped amongst them, the more these people treated me
like a friend whom they had known for a great length of time.

Amidst the crowd was a young woman of very engaging appear-
ance, who attracted my notice by the solicitude she felt for her child.
I perceived the cause of her care; and inquired by signs, what had
occasioned so large a wound upon the infant's leg. To this she
instantly replied, also by signs, in a manner so intelligible, that the
dullest apprehension could not have failed to understand that the
child, while playing by the fire in the absence of its mother, had
burnt itself. Not trusting to signs as a mode of conveying medical
advice, I employed one of my Hottentots to interpret to her the
manner in which she should treat the wound. As none but the
simplest remedies would suit a people like this, I was careful to
recommend only such as were within their reach ; and principally
insisted on her washing off all the dirt and red ochre, which probably
had been the chief cause of its remaining so long unhealed. She
received my advice with the warmest gratitude ; and when I assured
her that, by attending to my instructions, her child would soon be

40 RAPACITY OF UNFEELING TRADERS. 3, 4 Marcu,

enabled to walk again, I saw a tear of joy and thankfulness moisten-
ing her anxious eye.

While I was thus engaged, some of my men had been busily
trafficking with the natives, and had been taking advantage of their
simplicity, by purchasing their clothes from off their backs; and at
so low a rate, that in this, my people showed themselves to have
neither conscience nor feeling. So thoughtlessly fond of smoking,
were these Bushmen, that one old man took off from his shoulders a
beautiful leopard-skin, and bartered it to Hendrik for less than two
ounces of tobacco ; and Ruiter got from another poor creature’s back,
a fine skin of a lion’s whelp for which the Bushman foolishly thought
an ounce of Dakka-leaves to be an equivalent.

When I discovered these transactions, I felt highly irritated at
the ungenerous advantage which had been taken of the folly of these
savages, not because favourable bargains had been made, but because
they were so very far below the current rate of bartering on this side
of the Gariep, that they bordered closely upon fraudulence. I de-
clared that such conduct displeased me, and that I would not coun-
tenance their unfairness ; that I objected, not to their acquiring the
skins at a cheap rate, but to their getting them for nothing. While
I was relieving their poverty, they were stripping them naked and
giving nothing substantial in return. I reprimanded Ruiter for his
unconscionable dealings, and immediately gave the Bushman as much
tobacco as I thought to be a fair payment.

Though all these remarks were made in the Dutch language, the
kraal, who attended to every thing which I did, clearly comprehended
the tenor of what was said, and well understood, though ignorant of
our words, the reason of my giving him more tobacco. They watched
this latter proceeding; and then, as if to testify applause, turned
their countenances towards me, that I might behold their satisfaction,

As I rode away from their dwellings, which I have distinguished
by the too-appropriate name of Poverty Kraal, a general salutation
was given by the whole assembly; and in a tone so mild and
expressive of so much gratitude, that a man must have no heart at

1812. RED-BEAK.— LUXURIANT HERBAGE. 4]

all, who could witness a scene like this, unmoved. I confess that to
my ear the sound was grateful in the highest degree; and while I
turned my head to view them for the last time, the pleasure which
beamed in their happy countenances, communicated itself to my own
feelings, in a manner the most affecting and indelible.

We continued our journey across the mountain, and descended
to an extensive plain covered with threethorn shrubs, and abound-
ing in pitfalls for catching wild animals. Eastward, a pointed and
very distant mountain was seen, which probably was only rendered
visible by the effect of a temporary and extraordinary refraction
in the atmosphere. After travelling about eight miles over the
plain, we again fell in with the river, and as the evening was fast
approaching, we halted for the night at a spot on its banks, where
we were surrounded by the most beautiful fields of grass.

4th. A number of very small finches, (Lowa Astrild) frequented
the bushes at this place, and I took advantage of the circum-
stance, to distinguish it by the name of Astrild Station. This little
bird is not peculiar to Southern Africa; it is very common at St.
Helena, and is said to be equally so at Madeira and the Canary
Islands, in the tropical countries of Africa, and in India. It is
known to the Dutch colonists by the appellation of Roode-bekje
(Red-beak).

From this station the bearing of the most western of the two
table mountains forming part of the Hyena mountains, was S. 20 W.,
by the compass. Here were lying the bones of a rhinoceros, which, as
our Bushmen informed me, had been shot by one of their countrymen,
who by some means had come into possession of a gun, and had
learnt the use of it; but who was himself afterwards shot by the
Boors, for sheep-stealing.

At afew miles beyond Astrild Station, we passed through an
opening formed by an insulated round hill on one side and by the
end of a rocky ridge on the other, and entered upon a plain which had
more the appearance of a verdant corn-field, than of a wild unculti-
vated country. The soil was clayey, and the /uxuriant herbage sufli-
ciently proved its fertility; while the river, well supplied with water

VOL. II. G

42 A COUNTRY SUSCEPTIBLE OF CULTIVATION. 4, 5 Marcu,

and traversing the plain in a widely meandering course, seemed to
offer all that agriculture could require, and to tempt a more laborious
race of men than its present inhabitants, to bring it under cultivation.

The river many times crossed our path, and quitted us only
when we ascended to an elevated stony level. Here we saw, with
much pleasure, several herds of kannas (or elands) and quakkas grazing
at a distance and appearing not much to heed the presence of our
party. We halted; and Philip, mounting the horse, immediately
pursued them ; but he could not overtake any till he had ridden
above two miles, when he was so fortunate as to bring down a large
kanna, which he had singled out and continued to follow, till he
had fairly hunted it down.

The chase having led him in a northerly direction, we turned
back as soon as the Bushmen brought us information of his success ;
and, falling in with the river at about half-way to where the animal
lay, we again unpacked on its banks, about an hour before sunset,
at_ a spot marked on the map by the name of Hunter’s Station.

Philip, Speelman, and Hendrick, with pack-oxen, proceeded
on to the eland, and were accompanied by Riizo, and Kaabi, and all
the Bushmen of our party. But a heavy shower coming on before
they had skinned and cut up the carcase, they were obliged to remain
there till the next morning.

5th. At eight o’clock they came home ; and the whole of the Hot-
tentots found full employment all the forenoon, in cutting the meat
into slices and laying them on the bushes to dry: in which operation
we were fortunately favoured by a very hot and drying day.

We gave Kaabi and his companions so large a portion of our game,
that finding it more than they were able to carry, he had been obliged
to send off one of his people on the evening before to his kraal to
fetch a pack ox. His messenger returned with the ox this afternoon,
and was accompanied by eight others, some of whom were boys.

These occupations detained us till a late hour of the day; yet
we determined on packing up and proceeding farther, as the Bush-
men were anxious to reach their kraal, and had assured us that we
might arrive there before dark. To prove to them our confidence,

1812. HILLS OF SHINING BLACK ROCKS. 43

we entrusted them with the office of driving forward our sheep and
loaded oxen. And, indeed, our fellow-travellers, Riizo and Kaabi,
evinced a truly honest and friendly inclination towards us; so that,
without meaning to neglect that prudent circumspection so neces-
sary to a European travelling in this country, I would as willingly
- have committed myself to them, as to my own countrymen. The
former of these two, was naturally of a more reserved disposition,
but was always ready to lend any of the Hottentots his assistance,
whenever he thought he could be useful ; and seemed as much at his
ease with them, as with his own friends.

During this day’s ride we passed many small rocky hills of a
remarkable kind, presenting a character different from all which
I had hitherto observed. They were generally quite bare, especially
on the top, and were composed of huge rounded pieces of rock,
most frequently about five feet in diameter, piled loosely upon each
other, and apparently without any earth between them: as may be
seen in the first plate. But their most striking character was the
smooth shining blackness of their surface, not unlike that of iron
polished with black-lead.* They were composed of ‘ primitive
green-stone,’ probably containing iron, from which they derive their
lustre and color after long exposure to the atmosphere ; but within,
on being broken, they were found to possess their proper greenish or
blueish hue. Rocks of this species occur very frequently in various
parts of Southern Africa, but till now none had been seen with so
glossy a surface. The rocks at Dwaal river +, and in that vicinity,
were, excepting this particular, not very different from these, and
both, when fitly poised, were capable of giving a sound like that of
a large bell; and both, I believe, affect the magnetic needle. They
must be considered as boulder stones, though found on the tops
of the hills; but beyond this, conjecture can afford nothing

* At a subsequent period of these travels, rocks of the same nature and appearance
were observed in abundance along the course of the Nugariep or Black River; and I am
inclined to suppose that it was this circumstance which gave rise to the name which the
stream bears among the natives.

+ Described in the first volume, at page 277.

ee 7

44 THE FRIENDLY RIVER.— A NATURAL OBELISK. 5 Marcu,

satisfactory, and the How and When will probably remain for ever
unanswered. All the smaller hills which we passed, were covered with,
or perhaps consisted entirely of, these stones, or gigantic pebbles
as they may be called: yet the larger hills, or mountains, consisted
of regular stratified rock; as may be perceived in the plate re-
ferred to.

We passed over a tract thickly covered with a variety of bushes,
the height of which was generally about two feet, and intermingled
with mesembryanthema. Such land is called Karro ground by the
Cape farmers, who esteem it more wholesome, and better suited to
the African sheep, than grass-land.

The Hyena mountains terminate on the east, in a number of
low rocky hills; many of which are of the nature just described.
Kaabi, who here assumed the office of guide, conducted us through
a wide opening, or what the boors would name a poort, where we again
found our Friendly River, (as I would in twofold gratitude have
named it,) passing the same way, as if desirous of travelling with
us. Its channel was narrow and deep, and almost hidden in fields
of luxuriant grass. Its winding course along the valley, or rather,
plain, was only to be distinguished by the verdant reeds. The hill
upon our left was.composed of those black shining ‘ boulder-stones,’
above mentioned ; and that upon our right was rendered still more re-
markable by an object which, at first sight, excited my greatest sur-
prise, as I viewed it, for a few moments, as a work of art; and was
lost in wondering what nation, able to erect such a monument, had
inhabited these, now wild and deserted, regions. But though an
Obelisk, it was not the work of man: it was planted there by the
hand of Nature. It stood at the foot of the hill, and appeared to be
composed of sand stone. The mountain, of which it formed a part,
exhibited regular strata; and the obelisk itself, besides its pedestal,
was formed of four blocks, piled, as it seemed, one upon another ;
but most probably left in that form and position, by the mouldering
away of the adjoining rocks. Yet such an explanation would require
that this monument should be of harder stone than that which had
surrounded it: a fact which would be still more extraordinary. Or,

1812. ARRIVAL AT KAABI’S KRAAL. 45

could it be possible that the savages had assisted Nature, and had
taken the trouble of pulling down the adjoining stones, on finding
them already cracked and loosened by the hand of time? As the
setting sun warned us not to lose a moment, [ could not examine it,
excepting at too great a distance ; but while the rest continued their
route, I stopped my horse, and made a sketch of it. This scene
is represented in Plate 1. and is marked on the map by the name
of Pyramid Pass, (for the sake of euphony, instead of Obelisk Pass).

Soon after leaving this spot, we crossed a low neck between
rocky hills, and came into a small plain covered with grass, and
enclosed on every side by mountains. Through this pleasant dale
our river continued near us ; and, following it through an open-
ing at the south-eastern corner of the plain, we there took up our
station on its banks, at the foot of a hill on which stood the kraal of
our friend Kaabi and of the Bushmen who had accompanied us from
the Gariep. ,

CHAPTER II.

TRANSACTIONS AT KAABI’S KRAAL.

Ir being dark when we arrived at this station, I did not go to the
kraal this evening, but Kaabi and our Bushman fellow-travellers
passed the night at their own huts, where they entertained their
friends with some account of us, and extolled the generosity of the
white-man, so highly, that many of the inhabitants came down the
hill, and sat round our fire till nearly ten o’clock. These strangers
had been much prepossessed in our favor by what they had heard,
and behaved with the greatest cordiality and good-will, but I was
obliged to let them know that no tobacco was to be given away till
the morning; when it was my intention to distribute some to every
person in the kraal. With this promise, they were perfectly satisfied,
and remained conversing with us, and occasionally obtaining the
favor of a whiff out of the pipe of one or other of my Hottentots.
Having brought with us no boiling-pot, we requested them to

5,6 Marcu, 1812. RECEPTION AT KAABI’S KRAAL. 47

Jend us one from the kraal; and immediately they ran up to their
hut sand fetched one of their own manufacture, made in a neat man-
ner, of hardened clay, and capable of holding about a gallon and a
half. (The figure of this may be seen at the end of the preceding
chapter.) This was filled with eland meat; and our visitors, as might
be expected, were careful not to be absent at supper time.

This spot is distinguished among the natives by the name of
Water-point, implying, as before stated, that it is the point of the
Hyena Mountains, close to which the river flows.

6th. My bed, if such it may be called, was made under a bush at
the distance of a few yards from the spot where my men had their
fire. I was awoke soon after sunrise, by the voices of a party of eight
or ten of the natives who passed close at my feet and took their seat
at the fire, without attempting to disturb me; as they supposed me
to be asleep. Others following them immediately, I arose ; and as
soon as I had dressed myself, I went towards them: on which we
exchanged the usual salutations.

For the space of half an hour, men, women, and children, of
all ages, continued descending from the hill, and assembling at our
station; till at last we were completely surrounded by a numerous
crowd. ‘They were all unarmed ; a state in which hitherto I had not
seen any of this nation; having remarked that they constantly carried
with them their hassagay and bows, and never, even when they put
them out of their hand, layed them beyond their reach. I had,
indeed, never till this moment, had an opportunity of beholding them
in their own domestic circle, and at home at their ease.

I began now to appreciate my singular good fortune, that so many
favorable circumstances had unexpectedly combined to give me an op-
portunity of studying and knowing the real character of this nation,
such as seldom, if ever, has fallen to the lot of travellers in these re-
gions; and, I believe, never to those whose observations have been laid
before the public. As a European, I was alone in the midst of their
hordes, and trusting my life in their hands : I associated with them, and
by conforming to their ways and customs, yielded apparent respect to
their prejudices. It was this confidence, which so completely gained

48 MUTUAL CONFIDENCE. — ESTIMATE OF PRESENTS. 6 Marcu,

their good-will ; and which pleased them the more, as they had been
unused to witness in the conduct of white-men, so unequivocal a
mark of amicable intentions. ‘They had never seen these dangerous
strangers within the limits of their country, but in large and strong
bodies, which, though they commanded their respect, always excited
their fears and mistrust. They were satisfied that from me, they had
nothing to fear; and it was the novelty of this circumstance which
gave me, in their eyes, a character of peculiar interest; while the
evident desire I showed, of obliging them as far as it was in my power,
won their good opinion without any aid from the false oratory of mere
verbal professions, and dispensed with the necessity of language to
convince them of what was rendered much more intelligible by facts.
It was by facts and conduct only, that I could hold communication
with the tribe; for my ignorance of the language, as for the purpose
of conversation without the intervention of an interpreter, rendered
the power of pleasing words, unavailable in this case.

Kaabi their chief now made his appearance in a more dis-
tinguished manner, wearing a white hat which by some means he had
obtained out of the Colony. Whether it was the vanity of. giving
himself a more important character in my sight, or the desire of
paying a compliment by proving that he admired and valued the
dress of white-men, which induced him to dress different from all the
inhabitants of his village, I could not ascertain; but I_am more
disposed to regard the former, as his real motive.

For the purpose of giving an idea of the quantity of tobacco
distributed on such occasions, and to show what these poor creatures
considered as a handsome present, it is necessary here to explain
the form into which the tobacco of the Cape colony is generally
manufactured.

After the leaves of the plant are properly dried and divested of
the stalk and midrib, they undergo the usual process of steeping, and
are then twisted into long ropes of the customary thickness of about
an inch, sometimes thicker, but oftener thinner. ‘These ropes are coiled
up in the form of rolls of various sizes, weighing from five to eight
or ten pounds. Among the boors, these are sold by the pound: but

1812. A RULE FOR BARTERING WITH TOBACCO. 49

to the Hottentots, they are more commonly meted out by the span
of about eight inches, the weight of which is usually between an
ounce and a half and two ounces; and bargains among the latter are
most frequently made for a certain number of spans of tobacco. Yet
it is not therefore to be supposed that many Hottentots are ignorant
of the use of weights and money : it is the inconvenience and scarcity
of these, which causes them to prefer, on ordinary occasions, the
readier mode of measurement. I am particular in a description
which would otherwise be trifling, because, as tobacco is one of the
principle articles of barter with the nations of the Interior, it will be
referred to as a “ money-table” for the remainder of the journey ;
and may furnish some hints, or useful information, to those who may
hereafter be desirous of visiting the same countries.

The crowd, having gratified their curiosity by surveying me
attentively for some time, gradually became more talkative and
familiar ; and understanding that they were all to receive a present,
the joy of these poor simple people was manifested in a manner as
artless as that of children. Their liveliness increased as they observed
me about to commence the promised distribution: but the women
were much more noisy and uncontrollable than the men, and it was
some time before their chieftain was able to still their joyous voci-
feration.

To Kaabi I gave three inches of tobacco ; to each man about one
inch ; and to the women a little less. With this trifling quantity
they were all completely happy ; because they were contented. The
delight depicted in their countenances, was not less remarkable here
than at Poverty Kraal, but it exhibited not that melancholy species
of thankfulness, which was there so irresistibly affecting.

This ceremony occupied more than half an hour, on account of
_ the difficulty of restraining their vivacity and persuading them to re-
main steadily in one place: for had they been permitted to change
their station, I should have found it impossible to have gone through
this business with regularity. Having previously estimated, and put
into my pocket, the number of pieces which would be required, I
took them out one by one, in order that no jealousy might be excited,

VOL. II. H

50 AN ARTIFICE.—HOTTENTOT TRADERS. 6 Marcu,

by their observing one piece to be larger or smaller than another. I
confess that I used this artifice, with the view of leading the kraal to
think that I had given them all I had: for knowing that they would
continue to ask for tobacco as long as they thought there was any
remaining, I showed them my empty pockets; in consequence of
which I was not troubled by any further solicitation. Otherwise, I
should have been importuned during the whole day.

Yet, so eager were they to obtain tobacco, and so essential did
they think it to their comfort and enjoyment, that for the sake of it
they would, without hesitation, have parted with any thing they
possessed. My men, though they thought it equally essential
to their own comfort, could not, however, resist the temptation of
some very good bargains which the Bushmen offered to them;
and in this manner they procured by barter, several handsome skins.
My whole party were now in good spirits, and full of courage: and
our reception by these natives, who had been represented to us’ as
formidable savages, proved so truly friendly and so different from
that which, I confess, I had myself expected, that every one was now
lamenting that he had not provided himself, on his own private
account, with a larger stock of tobacco, with which he might here
have set up for a fur-merchant. But it was far better that they were
not so provided; for these foolish improvident people would cer-
tainly, as soon as we had entered the colony, have bartered all their
furs for brandy; and their fine commercial speculations would have
ended, as they always do end with Hottentots, just where they began.

The whole village seemed to keep ‘ holiday’ on this occasion,
and the crowd remained with us for a long time after they had re-
ceived the presents; while those of my party who could speak their
language, found full employment in answering the various questions
which were put respecting myself. In this duty, Ruiter proved him-
self a valuable addition to our number, as he was not only able to
interpret, but at this time, was willing also. As soon as they
found that I was not one of the doors, but even of a different nation
and language, and that I had no other desire or intention than that of
being always on friendly terms with them, they again declared, as it

1812. BUSHMEN AND COLONISTS. — LIVELY WOMEN. 51

were by common consent, that I was free to travel in their country,
wherever I chose, and that I might feel assured that nobody would
ever harm me.

When they had satisfied their minds, respecting my object in
passing through their territory, and had ascertained that I bore an un-
feigned good-will towards them, but more especially, that 1 was not
one of the Dutch colonists, whom, by the bye, they knew their
countrymen had irritated by repeated robberies; when they were
satisfied on these important points, and that there was no cause for
mistrust, it was as surprising, as it was pleasing, to me, to observe
how soon their countenances were freed from a certain anxious look
which, notwithstanding their friendly conduct, was very visible as
long as they were under any uncertainty whether I was really what
I professed to be, alone and unconnected with the colonists, or
whether there might not be a larger party following me.

Nothing was now heard but laughter and the liveliest talkative-
ness, on all sides. The women soon began to lay aside their timidity,
and took their turn in the debate; and in rapidity of utterance and
animation of gestures, far excelled even the men. They left no time
for my interpreter to perform his duty, and were so full of gaiety
that they could not restrain themselves from breaking in upon each
other’s conversation ; I was often addressed by three or four at a time,
and almost think that they were pleased at seeing me at a loss to
know who was to be answered first. Ruiter used his best endeavours
in all this hurly-burly of liveliness and clack; but a great deal of
their information went for nothing; nor did they on that account
allow the want of answers to disappoint them, or in the least degree
to check their questioning.

One woman, among the rest, was however, resolved upon being
heard ; and seemed to think that the importance of her communica-
tion entitled her to my first attention. She said that she had, only
the day before, arrived from some part of the colony; and on this
she exhibited a small dirty rag of a checkered shirt, which I found
on explanation, was intended as her credentials to authenticate her
declaration that she had really come from the country of the white

H 2

52 A RHINOCEROS HUNT PROPOSED. 6 Marcu,

people, where alone such an important proof could have been pro-
cured. She complained that the boors on the borders, were very
harsh and unkind in not giving them tabak, when they had tra-
velled so far on purpose to beg a little; and if they at last were
so fortunate as to obtain any, it was but a crumb; shewing me at
the same time the tip of her little-finger, to impress an idea of the
smallness of the quantity. But oftener was it their lot, she said,
to be driven from the house with a whip. Here she imitated the
act of whipping, in a manner so natural, and mimicked so well the
tone of pain and crying, that the bystanders were highly amused
by her imitative talents. She smiled however; and went on to
inform me, that the Caffres* and the colonists were at war against
each other, and in one of their rencontres a boor was pierced through
the thigh with hassagays.

At length their attention was directed to the eland-meat, which
my men were then placing on the bushes to dry. Our exposing
before them so great a temptation, was a sufficient excuse for their
‘coveting and desiring’; and I distributed among them a portion
sufficient to fill their largest pot.

The natives now made another request, and appeared very
solicitous that we should stop a day or two with them, and hunt the
rhinoceros; four of which animals had been seen at a short distance
from their kraal. To this, my own people, who were now quite at
ease as to the sincerity and friendly disposition of the Bushmen,
were much inclined; and all parties therefore were gratified when I
consented to remain here a day for that purpose. The natives had
in this, an additional proof of my goodwill towards them ; though
it was, I confess, a favor which repaid itself, as our own stock of pro-
visions would be replenished by the same means by which the Bush-
men would be supplied. It was therefore agreed that the hunters
should set out early on the morrow, and that a party from the kraal

* The Caffres to which she alluded, were that same wandering kraal, often men-
tioned in the first volume, as having emigrated to the banks of the Gariep; this part of
the Colony lying in the direct route between their present station and their own country.

1812. GREAT HEAT.—A VISIT TO THE KRAAL. 53

should attend them as guides, to conduct them to the haunts of these
animals.

The great heat of the sun gradually thinning the number of the
crowd, and compelling them to take shelter in their huts, I was
left to enjoy some rest after the boisterous ceremonies and fatigues
of the morning; while some of my Hottentots stretched themselves
in the shade to sleep, and others who were able to converse with the
natives, betook themselves to the huts.

The fear, on so rough a journey, of breaking the only ther-
mometer which I had remaining, induced me to leave it at Klaarwater
till my return: consequently, all observations of this nature were
suspended during the present expedition. In the meantime, the
thermometrical value of such expressions as ‘ very hot,’ &c. may be
collected, by comparison, from the preceding and subsequent parts of
the ‘ Itinerary.’

My curiosity to view this Bushman village, would not suffer me
to rest long; and at noon, protected by my umbrella, from the
scorching heat of the sun, I ascended alone to the kraal; a distance
not greater than four hundred yards. It consisted of twenty huts *,
placed irregularly in a circular line, and contained about a hundred
and twenty inhabitants, two-thirds of whom appeared to be females.
This, therefore, among the Bushmen of this portion of the Cisgariepine,
is rated as one of their largest kraals.

I was received every where with smiling faces, as I quickly
passed their huts, searching and inquiring for Ruiter. I now dis-
covered that he had another name, and that among Bushmen, to
which nation his mother belonged, he bore that of Arrée, signifying,
as I was told, one who has lost atooth ; for in fact, his right eye-tooth
was deficient. At length I found him and Nieuwveld, lying asleep
in one of the houses.

Seeing a small party of men sitting by the side of a hut, I went
and seated myself down amongst them, and passed half an hour in

* Similar to that which is represented by the vignette at the end of Chapter III.;
and to those which may be seen in the fourth plate.

54 GENERAL CHARACTER OF THE BUSHMEN. 6 Marcu,

talking and in questioning them on various subjects; but, although
exceedingly amused by the novelty and strangeness of the scene,
I cannot say that this mode of employing my time was very in-
structive, or that I gained many new ideas from their conversation.
Still, it was extremely interesting, because it gave an opportunity
of observing man in an uncivilized state, and enabled me to dis-
tinguish some of those characters which may be regarded as common
to all the human race. And, if among Bushmen, are to be met with,
many of those failings, of which we find examples too frequently
among ourselves; there are, to counterbalance these, several good
qualities, which usually, we are not disposed to allow that savages
can naturally possess. It is a negative, or rather an equivocal, species
of praise, to say of them, that ambition never disturbs the peace of
the Bushman race. And I believe that in this people no existence
can be traced of the sordid passion of avarice or the insatiable
desire of accumulating property, for the mere gratification of pos-
sessing it. Between each other they exercise the virtues of hospita-
lity and generosity; often in an extraordinary degree. It must,
however, be admitted that in general, they are more inclined to
supply their wants by robbing the colonists and neighbouring tribes,
than by honest industry and patient labor: while too often, yet not
always, that essential virtue, veracity, is disregarded, and the neglect
of it considered a mere venial offence. The mental powers of Bushmen
are never to be extolled ; for whatever concessions may be made in
favor of their heart, nothing can be said in praise of their mind,
at least in their present rude state. The feelings of the heart and
all its various passions, whether good or bad, are the common pro-
perty of all mankind, the educated and the uneducated, the civilized
and the uncivilized ; but in the higher faculties of the mind, and in
the cultivated powers of reason, the savage claims but little share.
It is in the improvement of these faculties and powers, that
civilized nations may place their high superiority, and their just boast
of pre-eminence.

These people expressed no curiosity to be informed respecting
any article of European manufacture ; nor, when told that I was one

1812. SITUATION AND PLAN OF THEIR KRAALS. 55

of a nation differing in language from the white-men of the Colony,
did they ask me a single question respecting my country, or seem at
all desirous of gaining any new idea, or any additional knowledge.
Their character possessed nothing of dullness or stupidity ; but, on
the contrary, they were lively enough; and on those topics which
their peculiar mode of life brings within their observation and com-
prehension, they often showed themselves to be shrewd and quick.
They talked with much pleasure and animation on the subject of the
proposed rhinoceros-hunt ; and, very naturally, admired the great
utility of my umbrella in protecting me from the burning sun, for at
that time they felt, on their own uncovered heads and naked bodies,
all the inconvenience of its scorching rays.

I quitted this party in order to take a further survey of the
kraal and its domestic ceconomy: while they still remained sitting in
their place, without attempting to follow me. Its situation was on
every quarter exposed and without a tree to interrupt the view.
Bushmen, in pitching their kraal, always chuse a spot, so bare and
open that no enemy can approach them without being seen. The
top of a hill which stands separately on a plain, is therefore an ap-
proved site; because, with eyes little inferior in optical power to
small telescopes, they can, while they themselves remain unobserved,
watch every movement around to a great distance.

I noticed that the opening, or entrance, of each hut was always
directed towards the inside of the circle *, so that the area surrounded
by their dwellings, and where they keep their cattle at night, was
within sight of all the inhabitants ; and no attempt by their enemies
to carry off their cattle in the night, could be made without being im-
mediately perceived. With a view, as I imagine, of having their
arms always in readiness, their hassagays were stuck upright into the
ground close by the side of the hut, being, in fact, too long to be
placed conveniently within it: while their quivers, arrows and bows,
as being their principal weapon, lay by their side, ready at hand for
the first moment of alarm.

* The fourth plate of this volume is referred to, for the representation of a kraal
similar to that which is here described.

56 HUTS. — THE BUSHMAN DOG.—HUNTING-CAP. 6 Marcu,

These huts were constructed exactly in the manner already
described *; and differed only in the greater size of their door-way
or opening. Not one of these was high enough to admit even a Bush-
man to stand upright within it; nor was that of their captain, or chief,
in any respect different from the others. The inside formed but one
apartment, where all the family slept ; their bed being nothing more
than a skin spread upon the ground, and on which they lay them-
selves down, generally coiled up in their karosses like a bundle of
clothes; so that neither head nor legs can be distinguished. But it
is not every man who has the good-fortune to own a cloak long
enough for this purpose. The area comprised within the kraal,
or ring of houses, is more or less extensive in proportion to the
number of cattle belonging to the community, or to the number of
dwellings.

I saw no more than five or six oxen, and as many sheep; but
of goats they possessed at least a hundred. Before one of the huts
I saw eight kids, but did not observe that they were tied by one foot
to a peg fixed in the ground, till the sight of my umbrella alarmed
them, and caused the animals to break loose. Their owners, who
were within the hut, looked up at me with a goodnatured smile, as
they rose to drive the kids back, and make them fast again.

The dogs most common among the Bushmen, are a small species
entirely white, with erect pointed ears: and as this sort was not
noticed in the Colony, it is probably a breed which may have been
long in the possession of the native tribes. (See the fourth plate).

On the head of one man I remarked an unusually large fur cap.
It was made of spring-buck skin, of a shape extending far behind
the head, and intended to have as much as possible the appearance
of that animal’s back. This was for the purpose of deceiving the
game, and of enabling the wearer, as he creeps along between the
bushes, to approach the animal within reach of his arrow. It is
called a be-creeping cap (Bekruip-muts) ; and is only worn when in
pursuit of game.

* In the first volume, at page 325; and represented in the seventh plate.

1812. JACKAL’S TAIL.—BULB-BAG.— LONGEVITY. 57

Many carried constantly in their hand a jackal’s tail, which they
frequently drew across their eyes, for the purpose, as I was told, of
improving their sight, agreeably to their belief that it possesses a virtue
of that kind: but I think the benefit which it does them, by wiping
away the dust, is a sufficient reason for the practice.

The reticule is with the Bushmen, as with us, a fashionable and
useful appendage in their morning walks, and differs from ours only
by its want of cleanliness and elegance, and in being called a bulb-bag
(uyentje-zak). No Bushman goes abroad to collect roots, without a
bag of this kind. But it is, in most instances, worn constantly, and
is with them what pockets are with us. It is generally suspended
at their side by a leathern strap passing over the opposite shoulder,
and is more commonly ornamented with a great number of strings
similar, though shorter, to those which form the fore-kaross, or front
apron of the women. *

I noticed many persons, both men and women, who had “every
appearance of great age. Their skin, which resembled old leather,
hung about them in loose wrinkles ; and the dirt with which they
were covered, together with their clotted hair, proved how disgusting
human beings may render themselves by neglect of personal clean-
liness. Whether they were really so old as I thought them to be,
was a question which they themselves could not have determined,
since a nation who only live from day to day, and look no farther
forward than from one meal to the next, can have no inducement for
burthening their memory with accounts of years that have passed,
or of days that are behind them. I have had occasion before + to
remark how early in life they begin to assume the looks of age; and
this consideration renders it still more difficult to guess how old a
Bushman may be. Yet it should not therefore be concluded that
their lives are, on the average, shorter than the natural term, or that
many examples of longevity may not exist among them.

* A more particular description of the Hottentot dress, between which and that of
the Bushmen there is scarcely any difference, has been given at page 395 to 398. of the
first volume ; and may now be referred to.

+ At page 415, of the first volume.

VOL. II. I

58 MARRIAGE CUSTOMS. 6 Marcu,

I next introduced myself to a female party, and without further
ceremony sat down in the midst of the group. It was a mixture of
young and old, of mothers and daughters. They were engaged in
no occupation, excepting that of talk; and in this, my presence was
very far from being an interruption; it doubled their loquacious
industry. But I have great pleasure in making the remark, that the
natural bashful reserve of youth and innocence is to be seen as much
among these savages, as in more polished nations: and the young
girls, though wanting but little of being perfectly naked, evinced as
just a sense of modesty, as the most rigid and careful education could
have given them.

Their mothers allowed themselves more privileges, and felt no
hesitation in answering my questions relative to their marriage
customs. Such characters as men and women passing their lives
in a state of celibacy, do not exist among the wild nations of
Southern Africa; and in this particular, savages hold a superiority
over the most polished nations of Europe. The women informed
me that girls are most commonly betrothed when not older than
a child whom they pointed out to me, and whose age appeared
to be about seven years; that is, the husband early bespeaks her,
in order to preclude every other man, in the meanwhile, from all
pretensions, and from all hope of gaining her: and, as these men
generally take a second wife, as soon as the first becomes some-
what advanced in years, this custom of securing another beforehand,
is perhaps necessary, in order to avoid those contentions which might
otherwise arise in cases of this nature, and where the girl herself is
seldom allowed a voice in cheosing her husband. In two or three
years, or less, according to circumstances, after being thus betrothed,
the girl changes her abode, from her mother’s hut to that of the
bridegroom. These bargains are made with her parents only, and
without ever consulting the wishes (even if she had any) of the
daughter. They are made by offering them a leathern bag, or some
similar article, which, if accepted, ratifies and confirms the match.
I saw at this kraal several mothers, who could not have been more
than ten or twelve years old.

1812. MANNER IN WHICH GIRLS ADORN THEMSELVES. 59

When it happens, which is not often the case, that a girl has
grown up to womanhood without having previously been betrothed,
her lover must gain her own approbation, as well as that of the parents;
and on this occasion his attentions are received with an affectation of
great alarm and disinclination on her part, and with some squabbling
on the part of her friends.

Several of these girls might be said to be pretty, more on account
of their youth and the pleasing expression of their countenances,
than of any beauty of features: but it is doubtful whether, throughout
the whole nation, one could be found whom a European could deem
handsome. When, in the morning, they came to the general distribu-
tion of tobacco, they had not yet performed the duties of their toilet ;
but I now had the pleasure of beholding them as fine and as capti-
vating as buku and red-ochre could make them. The former, as a
green powder, was sprinkled over their head and neck, and the latter,
mixed with grease, was applied in daubs or streaks over or along the
nose, and across the cheek-bones: and what was thought by these
simple Africans to be the most graceful and fascinating style of
adorning themselves, was precisely the same as that which the clowns
and buffoons at our fairs, have adopted in order to render their ap-
pearance absurd and ridiculous.

Many of the women were distinguished by having the hair of
the forehead, by the constant accumulation of grease and red-ochre,
clotted into large red lumps, like stone: this was not through neglect
of cleaning it away, but from a fancy that it was highly becoming,
and that it added greatly to their charms. Some had the crown of
their heads shaved, or, rather, scraped bald, (as represented by the
vignette at page 1.) and a row of buttons fastened round the remain-
ing hair which had been left in its natural state. All of them wore
bracelets, either of leather, or of twisted sinew, or copper; and most
of them were decorated with some kind of ornament hanging from
the ear. Their stature was extremely small, and their figure in
general delicate ; their height being universally less than five feet.

I noticed a singularity of figure, which I had not hitherto ob-
served among Hottentots; nor was it since found to be, in any tribe,

I 2

60 POLYGAMY. 6 Marcu,

so remarkable as in Bushwomen. The thigh-bones of those who
were above the middle age, appeared bowed outwards in an unusual
degree, or rather, the outer part of them was exceedingly pro-
tuberant. As to the cause of this deformity, I can only venture
a supposition, that it may be an enlargement of that process of the
bone, called trochanter major. But in this I do not pretend to
any positive opinion; and leave it to be determined by those who
may hereafter have an opportunity of examining the skeleton of a
Bushwoman of this conformation.

One of the mothers told me, with evident distress, that she was
soon to be parted from her only daughter, of whom she was affec-
tionately fond, and who was now considered old enough to live in her
husband’s hut. The girl herself was sitting by, and, on hearing this
mentioned, she turned her face downwards, with an unaffected bash-
fulness, and with a natural and interesting expression of genuine in-
nocence, which would well have become the most civilized of her sex.

With regard to polygamy, I was told that a second wife is never
taken, until the first, as before stated, has become old, not in years, but
in constitution: and sometimes, though rarely, a third supplies, in like
manner, the place of the second. This was generally the greatest
extent of their polygamy ; nor, were the old wives, on that account,
neglected or left unprovided for by their husbands ; but constantly
remained with him on the same terms as before. I could not learn
that any nice feelings of jealousy between these wives, ever disturbed
the harmony of the family.

Some men passing by, seemed much amused at my questions,
and joined us: on which, I inquired of the women if their husbands
ever beat them; well knowing that this subject was one of great im-
portance in their domestic arrangements. The men laughed, and
quickly replied, “ No No.” The women as loudly cried, “ Yes
Yes, they beat us on the head—so.” And sufficiently proved the
truth of their assertion, by the ready and natural manner in which
they imitated this act of conjugal discipline.

I then quitted’this party, who appeared happy and pleased at
my stopping with them so long, and continued my visit to the

1812. MOURNING. — EXPERTNESS IN THE USE OF THE BOW. 61

different houses. In one, a little family group were drinking their
goats-milk from a leathern bowl, and in a manner perfectly novel.
Of all the instruments for conveying liquid to the mouth, a brush
must appear the least adapted to such a purpose: but with no
other means than this, they emptied their bowl; and perhaps have
discovered that the greater length of time which this mode requires,
prolongs also the pleasure of their meal. The brush was made of
strong hair, and of a thickness sufficient to fill the mouth. The
manner of using it, was by dipping it into the bowl, and sucking the
milk out of it.

A short distance farther, I met an old woman, who, having heard
that I was desirous of knowing every thing relative to their customs,
very good-naturedly stopped me to show her hands, and bade me ob-
serve that the little finger of the right hand had lost two joints, and
that of the left, one. She explained to me, that they had been cut
off at different times, to express grief or mourning for the death
of three daughters. After this, I looked more attentively at those
whom I met, and saw many other women, and some of the men,
with their hands mutilated in the same manner ; but it was only their
little fingers which were thus shortened ; and probably the loss of those
joints was found to occasion no inconvenience.

Coming up to another party of men who were repairing, and
putting in order, their bows and arrows, I requested one of them, an
old man:who seemed to be their head, to shoot at a mark, that I
might have an opportunity of witnessing their expertness in hitting
an object. He readily granted my request, by appointing another,
who, he said, was a much better marksmen than himself, to exhibit
his skill. The skin of an antelope, measuring in surface about seven
square feet, was fixed to a pole, at the distance of forty yards. The
Bushman then advanced towards it, stooping down, or creeping slowly
along the ground, as if in pursuit of game and endeavouring to
approach it without being seen. He let fly his arrow when within
twenty yards, and, to my surprise, missed the skin even at this
short distance ; but, on a second trial, he was more successful.

62 CONVERSATION BY SIGNS. 6 Marcu, —

The great skill of the Bushmen in using the bow, had been so
often extolled to me, that I now could not avoid the conclusion,
either, that those accounts had been exaggerated for the purpose of
relating something wonderful ; or, that these men had cunningly dis-
sembled their power with a view of misleading me, should circum-
stances ever place me under the necessity of guarding against it. I
incline to the latter opinion, although the former is not altogether
unfounded.

The heads of all their arrows were covered with a deadly poison ;
but they explained, that some were more especially intended to be used
against their enemies, and that others were made only for killing game.

Many of the men were observed to have lost an eye, but the
cause which they assigned for this, has not been recorded in my jour-
nal, and I will therefore not incur the risk of misleading by any
surmise of my own. The fact is remarkable.

I continued for some time longer strolling about the village from
hut to hut, and from group to group, and was everywhere received with
a friendly and happy countenance. It was to them, as I have already
observed, gratifying to behold a white-man in the midst of their
dwellings, unarmed and unprotected, trusting with unbounded con-
fidence to their good faith, showing respect to their prejudices and
customs, and, pleased with his new friends, entering, as one of their
own tribe, familiarly into their society. .

This was the situation in which I had so long been desirous of
placing myself; and an opportunity of viewing these tribes as they
really are, had been one of the principal objects of my wishes. Till
now, imagination only had amused my mind; but here the intasionlins
reality itself was before my eyes.

After passing four hours in the kraal, and having collected
a head-full of information, I returned home to deposit the observ-
ations in my journal. There I continued the rest of the day,
employed in this manner ; except when visitors came down from the
hill to fetch water: on which occasions, many of them good-naturedly
took their seat by my side; and, in the absence of an interpreter, we

1812. DANCING. 63

found no small degree of amusement in holding a conversation by
signs. As, in these dialogues, we must frequently have mistaken each
other’s meaning, information thus obtained was very rarely committed
to paper: but they had their use, and a very important one, — they
often supplied a source of mirth and good humour, and always con-
tributed to our mutual confidence.

In the evening, about eight o’clock, I again went up to the kraal,
having heard from the Hottentots, that these hordes are so fond of
dancing, that scarcely a night passes without some party of that kind at
one or other of the huts. Nor was I disappointed, for in the circle of
houses, most of which were enlivened by a fire, and all quite filled with
people, I soon discovered one of a more busy appearance than the rest.
It was nearly the largest, and contained as many persons, both men and
women, as could find room to seat themselves in a ring, leaving but
space enough in the centre for the dancer to stand in. A fire, just
without the entrance, threw its cheerful light upon this singular
assembly, and was, from time to time, supplied with fuel for the pur-
pose of keeping up a blaze.

My arrival, though unexpected, did not interrupt their amuse-
ment, or occasion the shortest pause in the dancer’s performance.
He was then wrought up to that high degree of animation and in-
ternal satisfaction, at which he heeded nothing around, and thought
only of himself. The spectators, when I approached, turned their
faces towards me with looks which plainly spoke how pleased they
were to see me come amongst them ; and I, therefore, in imitation of
their own familiar manner, seated myself down in the circle.

As the size of these huts, does not admit of a person’s standing
upright, even in the largest, the dancer was obliged to support him-
self by two long sticks, which he held in his hands, and which rested
on the ground at as great a distance from each other, as could be
done with convenience. His body was consequently bent forwards
in a position which seemed as constrained, and as unsuited for danc-
ing, as imagination could devise: but it was not possible for the
motion of the limbs, to be less impeded by clothing, as he wore

64 DANCING AT 6 Marcu;

nothing more than his ‘ jackal.’ * In this attitude he continued his
dancing without cessation.

Sometimes, however. this is performed without the support of
sticks ; and although the same person kept on dancing during the
whole time I was present in the hut, yet each one of the company is
allowed to take his turn, till, having danced as long as he chooses, he
retires to the circle, and another rises, whe, after tying on the rattles,
takes his place; for, one pair of these rattles serves the whole party.
The man who, being, perhaps, proud of the interest which I appeared
to take in his performance, had continued so long to exhibit before
me his indefatigable powers, gave up his place soon after I quitted
the hut; and was succeeded by others, who prolonged the pleasing
harmless amusement without interval.

This dancing is indeed of a singular kind; and I know not if
among all the tribes of savages on the globe, any thing similar is to
be found; it certainly is not to be met with in any civilized nation.
One foot remains motionless, while the other dances in a quick wild
irregular manner, changing its place but little, though the knee and
leg is turned from side to side as much as the attitude will allow.
The arms have little motion, their duty being to support the body.
The dancer continues singing all the while, and keeps time with
every movement; sometimes twisting the body in sudden starts, till
at last, as if fatigued by the violence of his exertions, he drops upon
the ground to recover breath; still maintaining the spirit of the
dance, and continuing to sing, and keep time by the motion of his
body, to the voices and accompaniments of the spectators. In a few
seconds he starts up again, and proceeds with renewed vigor. When
one foot is tired out, or has done its share of the dance, the other
comes forward and performs the same part; and thus, changing legs
from time to time, it seemed as though he meant to convince his
friends that he could dance for ever.

——

* That part of a Hottentot’s dress, which is called the jackal, has been described at
p. 397. of Vol. I.

1812. KAABI’S KRAAL, 65

Round each ankle he wore a sort of rattle, made (in this instance)
of four ears of the springbuck, sewed up and containing a quantity
of small pieces of ostrich-egg shell, which at every motion of the
foot produced a sound that was not unpleasant or harsh, but greatly ~
aided the general effect of the performances. The figure of these
dancing-rattles may be seen at page 45, and supersedes the necessity
of a more minute description. *

Although only one person could dance at a time, the surround-
ing company were not therefore the less employed or amused: all
joined in the accompaniments, and were equally essential with the dancer
himself, to the evening’s entertainment, and contributed not less to
the pleasure it afforded. These accompaniments consisted in singing
and beating the drum. Every one of the party sang, and all kept
time by gently clapping hands. The words made use of, and which
had no meaning in themselves, were simply dye O Aye O, repeated
during the whole time; and at the sound O, the hands were brought
together: the dancer only, using the syllables Wawakoo. Both men and
women assisted in this singing, and though not in unison, were still
correctly in harmony with each other: but the voices of the girls,
pitched a fifth or sixth higher, were maintained with more animation.

The drum was nothing more than a bambus or wooden jug +
having a piece of wet parchment strained over the top, and contain-
ing a little water. This instrument was occasionally inverted for the
purpose of wetting the parchment, as often as it became dry. It was
beaten with the right forefinger, by one of the women; while she
regulated the pitch or quality of the sound, by placing the forefinger
and thumb of her left hand, upon the parchment. It seemed to be
accurately in tune with the voices of the assembly; a concordance,
which could hardly be accidental.

The following notes, which I wrote down on the same night,

* The figure on the right shows the manner in which they are tied to the leg; and
that in the lower corner on the left, will give an idea of their construction. Above this
latter figure, one of the rattles of which it is composed, is represented in profile.

+ Similar to that which is represented at page 406 of the first volume; excepting
only that it was much larger and had a wider mouth.

VOL. II. K

66 A BUSHMAN DANCE. 6, 7 Marcu,

are here given precisely as they were sung in the hut, and repeated
during the whole time, with scarcely the least variation. The measure |
of time was exactly half a second to each crotchet, or two seconds to
a bar. The upper notes were sung by the company ; those of the
middle line, by the dancer; while those in the bass clef express the
beating of the water-drum. :

Wawa koo Wawa koo Wawa koo Wawa koo Wawa koo Wawa koo

O08 pS ISS SSE, |

I find it impossible to give by means of mere description, a correct
idea, either of the pleasing impressions received while viewing this
scene, or of the kind of effect which the evening’s amusement pro-
duced upon my mind and feelings. It must be seen; it must be
participated in: without which, it would not be easy to imagine its
force, or justly to conceive its nature. There was, in this amusement,
nothing which can make me ashamed to confess that I derived as
much enjoyment from it, as the natives themselves: there was nothing
in it which approached to vulgarity; and in this point of view, it
would be an injustice to these poor creatures not to place them in a
more respectable rank, than that to which the notions of Europeans
have generally admitted them. It was not rude laughter and boisterous
mirth, nor drunken jokes, nor noisy talk, which passed their hours
away ; but the peaceful, calm emotions of harmless pleasure. Had I
never seen and known more of these savages than the occurrences of
this day, and the pastimes of this evening, I should not have hesitated
to declare them the happiest of mortals. Free from care, and pleased
with a little, their life seemed flowing on, like a smooth stream gliding
through flowery meads. Thoughtless and unreflecting, they laughed
and smiled the hours away, heedless of futurity, and forgetful of the
past. Their music softened all their passions; and thus they lulled

1812. FICKLENESS OF HOTTENTOTS. 67

themselves into that mild and tranquil state, in which no evil thoughts
approach the mind. The soft and delicate voices of the girls, instinc-
tively accordant to those of the women and the men; the gentle
clapping of the hands ; the rattles of the dancer; and the mellow
sound of the water-drum ; all harmoniously attuned, and keeping time
together ; the peaceful happy countenances of the party; and the
cheerful light of the fire, — were circumstances so combined, and fitted
to produce the most soothing effects on the senses, that I sat as if the
hut had been my home, and felt in the midst of this horde as though
I had been one of them ; for some few moments, ceasing to think of
sciences or of Europe, and forgetting that [ was a lonely stranger in
a land of wild untutored men.

Thus the evening passed; and thus the pleasing recreation
beguiled the hours of night, and stole their sleep away ; till morn-
ing light announced that other duties claimed their time. But
the past fatigues of the day, sensibly reminded me of rest, and forced
me reluctantly to quit the party at midnight; leaving them still in-
tent on dancing.

7th. When I rose the next morning, I found that my Hottentots
had changed their mind with respect to hunting the rhinoceros, and
wished to defer it till the following day. <A fit of laziness had sud-
denly come upon them ; for which, as they had rested the entire day
before, there was no excuse, unless the expectation of a hotter day
than usual might have been urged. But as we had publicly pro-
mised to the whole kraal, that we would hunt on this day, and as
the Bushmen were already preparing to show them the way, I insisted
on making good our word, lest we should be considered as unwilling
to oblige them, and, thus forfeit some portion of their present favor-
able opinion of us. They therefore prepared immediately ; and at
seven o’clock they started, having with them about a dozen natives
to assist in looking out for the animals. In this instance, one feature
in the Hottentot character was strongly exhibited; the uncertainty
and fickleness of their plans: for, on being roused from their lazi-
ness, they seemed now to be as eager and ready for the chase, as
before, they had been disinclined and dilatory. Instead of the hunters
only, or such as were good marksmen, all now of my own people

kK 2

68 A PRESENT FROM KAABI. 7 Marcu,

who were able to sustain the fatigue, were desirous of going. To
this I consented ; and retained by the baggage, only old Cobus, who
complained of being unwell, and Hans Lucas, whose services, in the
meantime, as interpreter, could not be dispensed with. It was
previously agreed on that the horse, which I allowed them to make
use of on this occasion, should be sent back for me, in the case of
their being successful.

Soon after their departure, I received, as a present from Kaabi,
a whole goat skinned and cleaned ready for cooking. So unexpected a
thing as a present from the indigent Bushmen, was an incident which
afforded me, situated as we were, peculiar pleasure, and was rendered
affecting by the truly benevolent air with which he gave it, and the
undisguised simplicity with which he acknowledged that ‘ I had been
very good to him during our journey from the Gariep, and therefore
he had wished to do some good to me.’ There can be no man
possessing any sensibility, who would not have been moved at wit-
nessing his artless manner, and the kind expression of his counte-
nance; both so indicative of gratitude and sincerity.

I was prevented from accompanying the hunters, by the neces-
sity of recording in my journal the observations of the past day,
before the impressions which they had made became weakened, or
mingled with those of succeeding objects and occurrences.

I was, however, not suffered to remain long alone; for, in the
course of the morning, many visitors, chiefly old people, came to me
at the bush under which I had slept and taken up my station.
Sometimes in parties they seated themselves around me, while I
amused, and possibly instructed, them by exhibiting various articles
of my baggage, and explaining their uses, the nature of their manu-
facture and their construction. Yet, whatever was totally different
in principle and use, from any thing to which they had been ac-
customed among themselves; such things, very contrary to what we
should expect from the influence of curiosity, excited little surprise
or attention: but my blankets, which approached, in the nature and
use of them, to their own sheep-skin karosses, were greatly admired ;
and many of my visitors rose from their places to examine them.
The leather of my pistol-belt was highly approved of, because it was

1812. A DISGUSTING INCIDENT. 69

within the reach of their capacity to comprehend its nature, and to
perceive that it was prepared in a manner much superior to their
own leather; but its make and form, as adapted to the use of carry-
ing pistols, was neither understood nor in any manner attended to.

While these explanations were being made to them, my atten-
tion was attracted by a little affair which had upon my stomach, an
effect similar to that which Speelman felt at seeing the Bushman eat
lizards’ eggs, One of the women, who had a child at her back,
seemed to be eagerly in search of something which she saw between
the folds of her kaross and the twists of her bracelets, and leathern
necklace. I noticed that her hand was frequently lifted to her mouth,
or held out to her babe. My curiosity induced me to look more
narrowly into these operations, and | discovered, not without some
strong sensations, that the objects of her active and earnest pursuit,
were certain little crawling things which, though in England viewed
with disgust, were here sought for with complacence, and presented
by an affectionate mother, to her tender infant, who held out its little
innocent hand to receive them as bonbons.

The fidelity of my narration has required me to relate the pleas-
ing, as well as the unpleasing, parts of this people’s character ; but
justice to them obliges me, at the same time, to say, that I do not
believe this filthy practice to be general among them, however such
examples as this, of depraved taste, may often be met with: yet I
never witnessed a similar circumstance, on any other occasion, during
the whole of my travels.

Fortunately, the arrival of Ruiter with the horse and intelligence
that Speelman had shot a rhinoceros, put a stop to this barbarous
employment, and turned my thoughts another way. The news in-
stantly spread to every hut in the kraal; the joy was universal: the
men, never travelling without them, quickly snatched up their arms,
and hastened away to the westward, to the spot where the animal was
reported to lie. ‘Those who remained at home, came dancing and
singing down the hill, as if suddenly seized with a fit of goodhumoured
insanity, unable to suppress their thankfulness to me for having
allowed my men to hunt for them. Our five pack-oxen were quickly
fetched in from pasture and saddled ; and the Bushmen immediately

70 UNIVERSAL JOY IN THE KRAAL. 7 Marcu,

got ready their own five, the whole number which they at this time
possessed.

It was late in the afternoon when we set out ; the sun being not
more than two hours high. Our road leading us through the kraal,
we were stopped by the crowd who gathered round us, and who
seemed half-crazy with joy, and the overflow of spirits. The scene
was truly laughable; it was happiness burlesqued. Old women skip-
ping and dancing about with clots of red ochre hanging from their
hair, and a protuberant bundle of petticoats behind; laughing, and
clapping their hands; all talking to me at the same time, without any
possibility of my understanding a word of what they said; they
themselves seeming not to care for an answer, could they but have
the pleasure of telling me their own joy; these, and some girls with
their faces daubed with streaks of red ochre, and a few old men, con-
tinued thronging round me, till my horse stood still, unable to get
through the crowd. But when Ruiter announced that the rhinoceros
was at a great distance, and remarked to them, that it was already late
in the day, they immediately made way for us, and we trotted off at
full speed.

On our road we met Philip, who very prudently had decided on
returning home for the purpose of reinforcing those who were left in
care of the baggage: although I cannot allow myself to think that
the people of the kraal would have taken the most trifling article
belonging to us; even if every thing had been left under the bush,
without a single person to guard it. And I feel persuaded that no
one of Kaabi’s Kraal would have been base enough to rob me; what-
ever might be the inclination of the inhabitants of other kraals with
whom we had formed no acquaintance, and whose good-will we had
not yet secured by similar acts of friendship.

We proceeded nearly the whole way at a brisk step, sometimes
trotting and at other times galloping; while the three Bushmen who
drove the pack-oxen on before us, hurried them over the rocky ground
at so extraordinary a rate, that even on horseback, I found it not easy
to keep up with them; and often, when the surface was so thickly
covered with stones and large fragments of rock that my horse could
scarcely find where to place his foot, I was obliged to call out to them

1812. BUSHMAN ACTIVITY IN DRIVING CATTLE. 7]

to slacken their pace. These men displayed all that beautiful ease of
motion and flexibility of joint, which struck me as so remarkable
when I first became acquainted with this nation ; and which have been
noticed on a former occasion.*

This circumstance afforded a most favorable opportunity of
ascertaining, by my own experience, how rapidly these wild people
could drive a herd of cattle, and how much more rapidly they them-
selves can travel; for, the necessity of passing these rocky moun-
tains before dark, forced them to a display of those powers which, on
no other occasion, probably, would they have exhibited so fully. I
now clearly saw, and subsequent observations confirmed this remark,
that whenever the Bushmen steal cattle out of the Colony, the Boors
can have little hope of recovering them, unless they instantly, and
with fleet horses, commence the pursuit, so as to overtake them
before they can have reached the mountains. In stealing cattle,
Mercury himself could not have been more expert, or more cunning,
than the Bushmen.

During two hours, we travelled on the elevated and mountainous
tract which, extending from the southward of Kaabi’s Kraal, to the
northward and westward of the Obelisk, constitutes what is called the
Hyena Mountains. In our ride this afternoon, the prospect, which
we had from their summits, of the plains extending to the northward,
was, like that of the wide ocean, terminated only by the horizon.

The sun was just setting when we reached the western edge of
the mountain, whence we could distinguish the smoke of the hunters’
fire down in the plain below; but still at a considerable distance.
Great care was required in descending the rugged pathless side of the
mountain ; which we fortunately accomplished before the twilight
was withdrawn. In half an hour after this, having ridden at least
fourteen miles since leaving the kraal, we arrived at the spot where
the rhinoceros was lying.

The first salutation from my Hottentots, was the agreeable
information that Spee/man had shot another rhinoceros. This he had
left in the middle of a plain situated farther westward, and separated

* At page 422, of the first volume.

72 SPEELMAN SHOOTS TWO RHINOCEROSES: — 7 Marcu,

from the plain in which we now were, only by a low range of hills.
Speelman himself came forward immediately to give me an account
of all his feats; and was, in his manners, so animated and lively,
that he might have been ascribed to any tribe rather than to that of
the Colonial Hottentots. As the hunting of a rhinoceros is attended
with danger, he certainly had some reason to be proud, when he had
in one day killed two of these formidable animals.

His account of the affair was, that when they came to the place
where the Bushmen expected to find them, the animals had changed
their ground ; but, that it was not long before they discovered no
fewer than four, feeding quietly on the bushes in another part of the
plain. They advanced towards the creatures, at various distances,
according to each man’s courage, but Speelman came the first within
shot, and wounded one mortally. The other people coming up, fired
till it had received seven balls; when it fell dead. He then went in
pursuit of the other animals, which had fled over the hills; and having
discovered one in the middle of the open plain, approached for-
tunately unperceived, and brought it down with a single ball: nor
did he fail with exultation to remark, that he had on that day fired
off his gun but twice, and at each time had killed a rhinoceros.

This was not the first rhinoceros which Speelman had shot in the
course of his life, and to prove his knowledge of these animals, and
to save me the trouble of asking him questions, he voluntarily
communicated all that he had learnt by his own experience.
Their smell, said he, is so keen and nice, that they know, even at a
great distance, whether any man be coming towards them; and on
the first suspicion of this, take to flight. Therefore it is only by
approaching them against the wind, or from the leeward, that the
hunter can ever expect to get within musket shot. Yet in doing this,
he must move silently and cautiously, so as not to make the least noise
in the bushes, as he passes through them ; otherwise their hearing
is so exceedingly quick, that they would instantly take alarm and
move far away to some more undisturbed spot. But the dangerous
part of the business is, that when they are thus disturbed, they
sometimes become furious and take it into their head to pursue their

1812. MODE OF HUNTING THEM:— NATURE OF THEIR HIDE. 73

enemy ; and then, if they once get sight of the hunter, it is impos-
sible for him to escape, unless he possess a degree of coolness and
presence of mind, which, in such a case, is not always to be found.
Yet if he will quietly wait till the enraged animal make a run at him,
and will then spring suddenly on one side to let it pass, he may gain
time enough for re-loading his gun, before the rhinoceros get sight
of him again; which, fortunately, it does slowly and with difficulty.
The knowledge of this imperfection of sight, which is occasioned
perhaps by the excessive smallness of the aperture of the eye (its
greatest length being only one inch) in proportion to the bulk of the
animal, encourages the hunter to advance without taking much pains
to conceal himself; and, by attending to the usual precautions just
mentioned, he may safely approach within musket-shot. This crea-
ture seems to take as much pleasure in wallowing in the mud, as the
hog. As far as my own experience enables me to speak, I can attest
the correctness of Speelman’s remarks.

The present animal was a male of large size, but being nearly
cut up when I arrived, I was unable to ascertain its particular dimen-
sions. No hair whatever was to be seen upon it, excepting at the
edge of the ears, and on the extremity of the tail. Our dudlets, though
cast with an admixture of tin to render them harder, were flattened,
or beat out of shape, by striking against the bones; but those which
were found lodged in the fleshy part, had preserved their proper
form ; a fact which shows how little the hardness of this creature’s
hide corresponds with the vulgar opinion, of its being impenetrable
to a musket-ball. It is however, to be admitted that bullets of pure
lead, fired from too great a distance, or with too weak a charge of
powder, will sometimes fail to penetrate the skin, and fall flattened
from the animal’s side, should they happen to strike one of the
thicker parts of the hide, or where a coating of mud has dried fast
upon it. This skin when dry and formed into shields, may possibly
turn a ball; as it is then become so much harder than when alive.
In cutting up this Rhinoceros, my people found one bullet more than
they had fired: it appeared to have lain in the flesh a considerable

VOL. Il. - i

74 DESCRIPTION OF 7,8 Marcu,

time. This animal therefore had probably lived formerly within the
Colony, but having been hunted and wounded by the boors, it had,
though in vain, sought refuge beyond the boundary. |

On each side of the carcase the Hottentots had made a fire to
warm themselves; and round a third fire, not fewer than twenty-four
Bushmen were assembled, most of whom were actively employed the
whole night long, in broiling, eating and talking. I watched them
with astonishment: it seemed that their appetite was insatiable; for
no sooner had they broiled and eaten one slice of meat, than they
turned to the carcase and cut another. I scarcely think that they
allowed themselves any time for sleep. Some of the natives whom
I had seen at the dance, were among the number of those who
assisted at this nocturnal feast.

The meat of the rhinoceros was excellent, and had much of
the taste of beef; and although the flesh of this, which was an old
animal, was somewhat tough, perhaps on account of being but just
killed; yet that of the female, being fatter, proved exceedingly well-
tasted and wholesome. The tongue would have been pronounced a
dainty treat, even by an epicure.

I laid myself down to sleep by one of the fires, but in the night
awoke with a violent headache and nausea occasioned by the wind
shifting round to the opposite quarter, and blowing towards me the
smoke of the green fuel, and the stench of the entrails and filth.
Towards sunrise the air became very cold; and having no other
covering than my watch-coat, I arose at daybreak, little refreshed by
broken rest, and feeling my whole frame exceedingly chilled.

8th. Taking with me one of the Hottentots, and some Bushmen
as guides, I crossed the rocky hills on the west, and descended into a
dry and extensive plain thinly covered with low bushes. In the
middle of this, we found the second rhinoceros; at which Speelman,
with a party of natives, had arrived an hour earlier, to prevent its
being cut up before I had seen and examined it. I immediately pro-
ceeded to make drawings both in front and in profile, and a separate
sketch of its head on a larger scale, principally from measurement.
Two of these are given in this volume; the one in front at page 46,

1812. THE SECOND RHINOCEROS. 15

and the head in profile at the end of the chapter. The animal lay
in a position very favorable for this purpose; having fallen on its
knees, and remaining nearly in the same attitude as when alive.

The first view of this beast, suggested the idea of an enormous
hog, to which, besides in its general form, it bears some outward
resemblance in the shape of its skull, the smallness of its eyes, and
the proportionate size of its ears: but in its shapeless clumsy legs and
feet, it more resembles the hippopotamus and elephant. It is, in
fact, in many less obvious particulars, closely allied to all these ; and
by later naturalists, has been well arranged in the same class with
them.*

Its length over the forehead and along the back, from the ex-
tremity of the nose to the insertion of the tail, was eleven feet and two
inches, of English measure; but in a direct line, not more than nine
feet three inches. The tail, which at its extremity was complanated,
or flattened vertically, measured twenty inches; and the circumfe-
rence of the largest part of the body, eight feet and four inches. On
examining its mouth I found, agreeably to common opinion, no
incisive, or fore, teeth in either jaw: in the upper jaw on each side,
were five large grinders, and a smaller one at the back; but in the
lower, there were six grinders besides the small back tooth. The ink
which I had brought with me, being nearly dried up, I was obfiged
to write this description in my memorandum-book, with the animal’s

own blood.+

* Of this species of rhinoceros, we shot nine in the course of these travels; besides
asmaller one. This has been presented to the British Museum.

+ This Rhinoceros is of the species already described by Sparrman, under the name
of Rh. bicornis. But other species with two horns, having been since discovered, the
name of Rh. Africanus has been substituted by Cuvier. And as I have subsequently dis-
covered another species in Africa, also with two horns, this name would now, according
to that principle of nomenclature, require again to be changed.

The new species here alluded to, I have named Lhinoceros simus, (* Bulletin des
Sciences ;” livr. de Juin 1817, p. 96.) from the flattened form of its nose and mouth, by
which, and by its greater size, and the proportions of its head, it is remarkably distin-
guished from the other African species.. A more complete account of this, is reserved for
a future opportunity, as it belongs to a part of my journal not included in the present
volume. In the mean time the work above named, may be referred to for a figure of it,
and for some further particulars.

Eo 2

76 ON THE CORNEOUS ADDITAMENTA OF ANIMALS. 8 Marcu,

The horn of the rhinoceros, differing in structure from that of
every other animal, and placed in a situation, of which it is the only
example, had long appeared to me to be an anomaly very deserving of
examination ; and therefore on the present occasion, it was the first
object of my curiosity and attention. The view which I now began
to take, of its structure and nature, was afterwards, in the course of
my journey, further confirmed by the following mode of reasoning,
which, to render it less complicated, I shall confine to the class of
Mammalia, or, as it is more commonly called, quadrupeds. Dispersed
over the skin of all animals, are pores which I have supposed to
secrete a peculiar fluid, which may be designated by the name of
corneous matter. This secretion, or fluid, is designed by nature for the
forming of various most useful and important additamenta, all of
which, continue growing during the whole life; have an insertion not
deeper than the thickness of the skin ; and are further distinguished
by the absence of all sensibility and vascular organization, being
purely exuvial parts like the perfected feathers of birds. In all
these parts, the growth takes place by the addition of new matter at
their base. When these pores are separate, they produce hairs.
When they are confluent and in a line, they produce the nails the
claws and the hoofs, the fibrous appearance of which, naturally leads
to the supposition of their being confluent hairs: and the same may
be said of the scales of the Manis. The quills of the porcupine,
hedgehog, and other animals, may be regarded as hairs of extra-
ordinary size. When the pores are confluent and in a ring, they
furnish the corneous case of the horns of animals of the ruminating
class; and when confluent on a circular area, they supply matter for
the formation of a solid horn, such as we see on the rhinoceros.
An examination of the structure and appearance of this latter, will
be found to support my explanation of its nature; as about its base, it
is in most instances, evidently rough and fibrous like a worn-out
brush. * It grows from the skin only, in the same manner as the

* This appearance, has not escaped the notice of an eminent zoologist; who says,
that these animals ‘ portent une corne solide adhérente a la peau et de substance fibreuse

1812. ON THE UNICORN. my

hair, a circumstance which entirely divests of improbability the
assertion of its being sometimes seen loose, although by no means
so loose as some writers have supposed. Nor is it at all extraordinary
that the rhinoceros should possess the power of moving it, to a cer-
tain degree, since the hog, to which, in a natural arrangement, it
so closely approaches, has a much greater power of moving its
bristles, which if concreted would form a horn of the same nature.
With respect to the idea, which I had entertained, of a single horn
being an anomaly, it arose from the consideration, that all the
osseous parts of animals, excepting the spine, were in pairs; those
which appear single, being in fact divided longitudinally by a suture.
So that any bony process, such as that which supports the corneous
case of horned animals, must, to be single or in the central line of
the face or head, stand over a suture; a case which no anatomist has
hitherto discovered in Nature. The single horn of the rhinoceros,
is therefore no anomaly ; because, having no connection with, or not
deriving its origin from, the bones, and being, as I have endeavoured
to show, only concreted hair, Nature might, if its mode of life re-
quired, have given it other horns of the same kind on any part of
the body, without at all disturbing that system and those laws, which
she has followed in the structure of every quadruped.

It is this rule of nature, and consequent reasoning, which will
not allow me to believe that the unicorn, such as we see it re-
presented, exists any where but in those representations, or in
imagination: and many circumstances concur to render it highly
probable, that the name was at first intended for nothing more than
a species of rhinoceros.

As we professed to shoot these animals for the advantage prin-

et cornée, comme si elle était composee de poils Sag intings,! ~ Cuvier, Régne Animal,
tome 1. p.239.

+ It is scarcely necessary to remark that the horn (as it is called) of the Sea-Unicorn,
(Monodon Monoceros) is in reality one of ¢wo teeth or tusks, and is inserted on the
side of the central line, or suture, of the skull; the other tusk remaining always buried
within the jaw-bone. So that this unicorn is, in structure, a two-horned animal, and has
in fact sometimes been found with both tusks grown out to an equal length.

78 BURNING HEAT OF THE SUN’S RAYS. 8, 9 Marcu,

cipally of the natives, we had not intended taking for ourselves, more
of the meat than enough for a day or two: but, as another proof
of the improvident disposition of Hottentots, I discovered that my
people, satisfied with what they had eaten on the spot, were not
preparing to bring any away with them, till I ordered a quantity to
be loaded up for at least my own use, as the meat of the second,
seemed, as a change of food, more wholesome, and of a better taste,
than our mutton. These foolish men thought only of the brandy
and tobacco which they were to get by selling their shamboks at
Graaffreynet, and therefore had cut up the hide of both the animals,
into strips for this purpose.

Although so chilling at sunrise, the weather had, by noon,
changed to the opposite extreme. Exposed in the middle of a dry
plain, where not a tree to afford shade was to be seen, I scarcely
could endure the rays of the sun, which poured down, as it were, a
shower of fire upon us. At this time I began to feel symptoms of fever
from the cold which I had taken in the night, and this, probably,
might render me less capable of supporting the heat of the weather ;
yet I viewed with astonishment the bare-headed and naked Bushmen,
who seemed to be not in the least incommoded by it.

When I had finished my drawings, and the Hottentots bai
loaded up as many shamboks as the oxen could carry, we left the
natives busily employed in cutting up their meat; and returned to
the place of the first rhinoceros. Here I assembled all my own
people, and, as soon as they had taken another meal as a farewell to
their game, and had packed up another quantity of the hide, we set
out on our return home to the kraal.

In our way we met a large party of the natives, men and women,
who, joyously greeting us as they passed, told us they were going
to their friends at the rhinoceros, to lend their assistance: that is;
to eat and feast, day and night, till they had consumed the whole of it.

We did not reach home till twilight had ended. I now found
my fever much increased: I therefore adopted the remedy which
had on similar occasions been found successful, and which con-
sisted merely in drinking a quantity of hot tea immediately on going

1812. DEPARTURE FROM KAABI’S KRAAL. 79

to bed. Some additional bushes were cut, and placed so as better to
keep off the wind; and this precaution, in addition to the remedy,
induced a degree of perspiration which, in the course of the night,
considerably abated the disorder.

9th. I still considered it prudent to remain thus wrapped up
all the morning; but as the weather presented every appearance of
continuing fine all day, I resolved to proceed on our journey.

At five in the afternoon we departed, bearing with us the good-
will of a whole kraal; to whom we had given perhaps greater hap-
piness than it had been their lot to experience, for a long time. They
were much pleased when I assured them it was my intention to re-
turn by the same route in a few weeks; and Riizo, who now in-
formed me that this was the kraal to which he properly belonged,
although residing at so great a distance as at the Gariep where we first
met with him, was particularly instructed by Kaabi to remain with
us until we reached the country of the white-men. One of his
companions, who had hitherto been our chief attendant, and who was
to remain at the kraal, now took his leave of us.

af)

Li “None,

yl! uN ph

‘ \ < | . : 4M |
i, Ma oe ie
2 SY at Oy
taper > i, if i
a a iy ye at f! / /

; CHAPTER III.

JOURNEY FROM KAABI’S KRAAL, TO THE BORDERS OF THE COLONY.

Wes followed the general direction of the river, and in the course
of this day’s ride, crossed it four times. Thus far, its course had not
been marked by tree or bush larger than those of the plains; but
here it began to assume a better character: besides a more constant
supply of water, it was distinguished by abundance of reeds and
bushes of greater size.

We travelled till daylight began to fail; when we took our
night’s station on the banks of the river, at Reed Station. Here my
people prepared for me, as I was still weak from the fever, a sheltered
sleeping-place, in the centre of a thick clump of reeds which stood
on dry ground at a little distance from the water.

10th. On the following day’s journey, the surface became gradu-
ally more hilly as we advanced, but was every where thinly covered
with small bushes, although in other respects it was a wide open

10 Marcu, 1812. WILD HONEY. 81

country. As we made our way through bushes and over rough
ground, where no path could be found to guide us or render our
travelling easier, the Hottentots sometimes, by chusing a smoother
road, were scattered at a considerable distance from each other.

To this circumstance, we were indebted for some delightful
wild honey, as one of them chanced thus to observe a number of.
bees entering a hole in the ground, which had formerly belonged to
some animal of the weasel kind. As he made signs for us to come
to him, we turned that way, fearing he had met with some accident ;
and, indeed, when the people began to unearth the bees, I did not
expect that we should escape without being severely stung. But
they knew so well how to manage an affair of this kind, and had
gained so much experience, that they robbed the poor insects with
the greatest ease and safety. Before they commenced digging, a
fire was made near the hole, and constantly supplied with damp
fuel to produce a cloud of smoke. In this the workman was com-
pletely enveloped, so that the bees returning from the fields, were
prevented from approaching, while those which flew out of the nest,
were driven by it to a distance. Yet the rest of our party, to avoid
their resentment, found it prudent, either to ride off, or to stand also
in the smoke. About three pounds of honey were obtained ; which,
excepting a small share which I reserved till tea-time, they instantly
devoured in the comb; and some of the Hottentots professed to
be equally fond of the larve, or young imperfect bees. This was
the first honey which had been found since we left Cape Town, or,
at least, which I had partaken of: it appeared unusually liquid, and
nearly as thin as water; yet it seemed as sweet, and of as delicate a
taste, as the best honey of England, unless the hard fare to which
I had been forced to accustom myself, might, by contrast, lead me to
think it much better than it really was.

As we advanced we saw at a distance around us, in every
quarter, innumerable herds of wild animals, quietly grazing like tame
cattle. Quakkas, springbucks, kannas, and hartebeests * on all sides,

* The Hartebeest of the Cape Colony, called Caama (or Kaama) by the Hottentots,
VOL. II. M was

89 LIONS AND THEIR PREY. 10, 11 Marcu,

was a sight we had never before seen during our whole journey ;
and Philip immediately mounting the horse, took a circuit for the
purpose of cutting off the retreat of the nearest herd.

In the mean time we halted: this gave us an opportunity of
noticing the footmarks of lions. Our Bushmen added their advice
to keep close watch over our cattle, as we were now entering a part
of the country where those formidable beasts were known to abound.
This fact might, without having seen the footmarks, or without in-
curring much risk of being mistaken, have been inferred from the
great numbers of wild animals just observed: for, where no game
is to be seen, there no lions are to be feared; since these, it is
evident, can live only in those parts of the country where they can
procure daily food. Travellers, therefore, who are obliged to depend
upon the chase for their support, will consider the dangers and in-
convenience of lions, to be more than counterbalanced by the ad-
vantage of abundance of game.

Philip had pursued the antelopes far out of sight; we had waited
more than an hour, without seeing him return; and the sun fast
sinking to the horizon, warned us to look out for a place where
we could safely pass the night. We therefore proceeded a short dis-
tance farther, in expectation of falling in with the river; and having
met with it and crossed to the right bank, we soon found a con-
venient station and unpacked the oxen. But we were not forgetful
of Riizo’s advice, and carefully made all our cattle fast to the bushes.

As soon as twilight began to advance, we heard the lions roar-
ing at a distance, and commencing their nightly prowl. Philip had
not yet returned, and our fears for his safety, as well as for that of
the horse, caused us much uneasiness. To direct him to the spot
where we had stationed ourselves, a large fire was made, and several
muskets were discharged. Guided, first by the sound of these, and
afterwards by the light, he at length found his way home; but

was considered by Linnezus and many naturalists, to be same as the Bubalis of the ancients,
which is an animal of Northern Africa; but some later writers distinguish it as a separate
species, by the name of Antilope Caama : a distinction which I am more inclined to doubt,
than to adopt; until an actual collation of the two animals, shall decide the question.

1812. TASTE OF QUAKKA-MEAT. 83

although he had ridden into the midst of the herd and turned their
course, he had killed nothing ; for it had happened that several times,
on attempting to shoot, his gun unluckily missed fire; which was
occasioned by the lock having been accidentally put out of order
during the chase.

In the early part of the night, the jackals at. a little distance
were yelping around us; and, although they might not have filled
the office of ‘ lion’s provider,’ vulgarly assigned to them, yet I had
no doubt of their having attentively performed the duties of clearing
their royal master’s table. To prevent him making his supper-room
in the midst of our oxen, we kept several fires burning all night.

11th. In the morning we were visited by four Bushmen; to
whom, according to my custom, I made a present of some tobacco.
In their way to us, they happened to pass by the spot where a lion
had last night been preying upon a quakka: they found every part
of the carcase devoured, excepting the feet, which they brought. away
with them ; these being all that the jackals had left.

Although not absolutely in want of food, yet as the number of
my sheep was already much lessened, I resolved on giving up a day
for hunting. The men had not been out long before Philip shot a
quakka. When this was brought home, it was so warmly praised by
my Hottentots, as being excellent meat, that I ordered a steak to
be broiled for my dinner. The novelty, and my own curiosity, must
have had some influence on this occasion, since I was induced to
consider it good and palatable. It was tender, and possessed a taste
which seemed to be between that of beef and mutton. I made
from it several meals: but this was the only time when I ate of
quakkas or zebras from pure choice; for, I confess, I could not, with
respect to these animals, resist altogether the misleading influence of
- prejudice and habit; and allowed myself, merely because I viewed
this meat as horseflesh, to reject food which was really good and
wholesome. In this respect, the Hottentots are much wiser than
the Boors, who reject it for the same reason with myself, but who,
nevertheless hunt these animals for the use of their Hottentots and
slaves. On all subsequent occasions, when necessity compelled me

M 2

84 BUSHMAN TABLE-MOUNTAIN. 12 Marcu,

to eat of it, the fat, which was yellow and oily, always smelt rather
strong and disagreable; but I cannot assert that such food was ever
found to be unwholesome. .

12th. During the night and this forenoon, there was much rain ;
and being thus prevented drying our meat, we departed from Quakka
Station at an early hour. Soon after setting out, we crossed the river
twice; after which we turned to the south-east in order to visit a
kraal which lay in that direction; having on our right some high
mountains in the distance, and before us an exceedingly large table
mountain, which had been seen for the first time, on our last day’s
journey. This latter is pointed out on my map, by the name of the
Bushman Table-Mountain, and is very remarkable by the perfect re-
gularity of its form, and by having at each end a small, but equally
high, mountain standing in advance, and apparently separated from
it down to the base. Farther behind this mountain, were several
others of the same formation, and which extended beyond the visible
horizon. From the distance and spot at which it was viewed, it
appeared inaccessible, being surrounded on all sides by a precipice ;
but experience teaches that however steep and lofty a mountain may
appear, its summit should not be pronounced inaccessible until its
ascent have been attempted on every side. I was induced, how justly
I know not, to consider it of greater height than all the other moun-
tains in this part of the country, by the circumstance of a cloud
resting upon it, an appearance which had not been seen since we
quitted the Roggeveld.

At a little after three in the afternoon we arrived at the kraal,
and unpacked our oxen by the side of a rocky hillock at the distance
of two hundred yards.

I was received by the inhabitants with repeated acclamations of
Tway ! Tway!* and with every demonstration of their being glad
at seeing me: although I do not flatter myself that their joy was
entirely personal, as the words Gooen dakka; Tabakka! Gooendakka ;

. * Their word of salutation. It is pronounced as the Dutch word twee, and would
be written toué by a Frenchman.

1812. RHYMING. —OLD CROW-HEAD. 85

Tabakka!* plainly betrayed their expectations and the source of
their gladness. By this they mtended to say “ Good day; give us
some tobacco :” wishing thus to render themselves more intelligible
by addressing me in Dutch. They were in such high glee, that a
merry spirit of rhyming seemed to have inspired them upon this
occasion: having first converted the word dag into their more favorite
one of dakka, they considered it a happy thought, and quite a new
idea, to transform tabak into tabakka: the only instance I ever
noticed, in these travels, in which that word was spoken as in English.
I do not mean to infer from this, that the Bushmen speak English ;
nor, that I have discovered in them a brilliant poetic genius ; but
I have no hesitation in declaring, with such a proof as this, that they
can rhyme as well as many poets of my own country, and possibly
may have as much genius.

Their chief, or captain, was distinguished in a manner so singular,
that my Hottentots were highly diverted at the ridiculous insignia
of his rank; and, as they could not clearly understand his proper
name, gave him that of Oud Kraai-kop (Old Crow-head), as he wore
the head of a crow fixed upon the top of his hair.

It will be immediately perceived that this mode of ornamenting
the head, corresponds with the ancient custom of distinguishing
men in armour, by some figure placed as the crest of their helmet.
Should therefore the science of heraldry ever be introduced among
the Bushmen, the family of the Kraaikops would hereafter be
distinguished by the crow-head as their crest; but what should be
emblazoned on their shield, or whether the field should be gules,
or vert, or sable, can only be determined by the learned men of
their own tribe.

In a country where we found few places marked by particular
names, this was a fortunate circumstance to my men, who always
afterwards spoke of this as the Kraai-kop Kraal, and of the mountain
as the Kraai-kop Tafelberg (Crow-head Table-mountain.)

* By which words, they meant to say Goeden dag ; Tabak.

86 KRAAI-KOP’S KRAAL. 12 Marcu,

As soon as I could prepare my presents, I desired the captain to
assemble the whole of his people; and in the midst of a crowd not
less happy than those of Kaabi’s Kraal, I distributed to every indivi-
dual a piece of tobacco. It is unnecessary to describe the effect which
was produced on these poor creatures, as it would only be a repeti-
tion of what has been said on a preceding occasion. They now
declared aloud, that I was the best man they had ever seen, for the
boors, they said, never gave them either tobacco or meat, though
they came into their country and killed their game. Some of these
people had been living a short time in the Colony, in the service of
the farmers, as shepherds or herdsmen, for the purpose of earning
a few sheep-skins for karosses ; which by them are more valued, on
account of their greater warmth, than the skins of any of the wild
animals, and nearly every person here wore cloaks of that kind.

This village did not appear in such good circumstances as Kaabi’s :
I counted no more than ninety-eight goats and kids, as the whole of
its riches, and fifty souls as the greatest amount of its population. It
was situated in the middle of an open plain covered with low bushes,
and was at least, two miles from any water. The table-mountain,
of which I took this opportunity of making a drawing, was at the
distance of a two or three hours’ walk to the eastward; although the
unvaried surface of the intervening ground would have induced me
to suppose that it was much nearer.

Notwithstanding the poverty of this kraal, the captain thought
himself bound to testify his gratitude; and sent me a goat ready
skinned: but I was much vexed at discovering that Ruiter, not
waiting for a voluntary gift, had been mean enough to ask for it,
founding his claim upon the great quantity of tobacco which I had
given to the captain and his people. Not doubting that he had acted
the part of a treacherous interpreter, and had demanded it in my
name, I immediately presented to the chief and some of his friends,
a much larger quantity of quakka-meat in return. e

My obligations, however, would not have remained unpaid, even
had I not made them this return ; for nearly all the men, and several
of the women, came to sup with us; so that, when the meal was over,

1812. RIIZO’S DANCE. 837

we found no part of the goat left. Soon after this, they returned
to their huts, well satisfied with the treatment they had met with;
and, certainly, not sorry that a white-man had visited their kraal.

My own people, having now dismissed all those apprehensions
which their first uncertainty respecting a friendly reception by the
natives, had excited, enjoyed the evening apparently as much as
they ; and even followed them to the huts, and remained sitting by
their fires till a late hour.

I also, passed some part of the night at the kraal, to witness
again the pleasures of the dance. Here I found the ‘ ball-room’ so
crowded that there was but just space enough left for the dancer’s
feet: but this seemed not at all to incommode the party. Riizo was
the chief performer; and I heard the next morning, that he continued
incessantly dancing during the greatest part of the night. The style
of the dance, and the accompaniments, were exactly the same as at
Kaabi’s Kraal, excepting that instead of the words Wa wa koo and
their corresponding notes, Riizo made use of Lok a tee (Lok a tay),
thus :

The Company.

The Dancer. cE
Lok a_ tay Lok a_ tay ~ Lok a tay

The SR aS SE
vate | BREE EEE eta

The syliables Lok a tay have no more signification than those of
Wawa koo, and were intended only as an assistance to the notes. These
the dancer kept on singing, as if heedless of every thing but himself:
without appearing to take any notice of the company about him, he
continued his dancing, first with one leg, and then with the other,
much to the gratification of his friends, though they had allowed him
barely room for the sole of his foot; while the lowness of the hut

88 AN UNPLEASANT NIGHT.— HOTTENTOT COOKS. 12,13 Marcu,

exceedingly cramped his movements, and obliged him to bend for-
ward in a posture the most inconvenient.

Having satisfied my curiosity, I left the party and retired to rest,
it being my intention to proceed on the journey at an early hour in
the morning. There was much lightning and thunder during the
night ; and, to render it more unpleasant, I had not long fallen asleep,
when I was awakened by a cold piercing wind blowing so keenly
through my blankets, that it felt as if there had been no covering
whatever upon me. Our fires being out, I was obliged to content
myself with wrapping my blankets, and watch-coat closer about
me; but scarcely had I again laid my head on the saddle, when a
heavy shower of rain and hail poured down, and soon ran through
my bedding and completely flooded the ground. As it was not
possible at such a time to make a fire, and as the night was ex-
tremely dark, I remained patiently in that situation till morning, still
hoping for sleep.

13th. As soon as daylight appeared, I rose from my miserable
bed, which I found literally lying in water; and, shaking off the hail-
stones from the blanket, dragged it over a bush that it might dry a
little before it was packed up. Few of these hailstones were much
less than half an inch in diameter; and I found them, under the
bushes, where they had been drifted in large quantities by the wind,
frozen together into solid masses. ‘The thermometer therefore, if I
had had one with me, would have been found at least as low as the
freezing point.

As soon as fuel could be collected on the plain, the men made
a fire and cooked: breakfast; but though Hottentots are always
bad cooks, these men had lately become worse; and my meat was
brought to me, more in the state of something picked up after a con-
flagration, than of any thing intended to be eaten. Though never
boasting myself Epicuri de grege porcum, my patience in these matters,
was now exhausted: I scolded my cook, and for the first time on the
journey, I made some attempt myself at cooking; and, although I
could not help smiling at my own inexpertness and at this laughable

1812. ROGUERY. —RE-NAMING STRANGERS. 89

specimen of culinary talents, I broiled my own steak, in order to
show him how, I conceived, it might be managed so as to be rendered
a little more eatable.

Ruiter, of whom I had been much inclined to think well, betrayed
at length some slight symptoms of roguishness, in a trifling affair
which was to him, too tempting an opportunity for cheating. I had
commissioned him to purchase a pair of dancing-rattles, and had
given him tobacco more than sufficient for that purpose: but he
soon returned to tell me that this quantity was not thought enough.
I therefore doubled it, and in a short time he brought me the rattles.
On the following day I observed him wearing a beautiful leopard-
skin kaross, and, on inquiry of the other Hottentots, discovered that
he had obtained the rattles for a very small portion of the tobacco I
had given, and that with the remainder he had purchased the skin.

The captain of this kraal, having heard of our killing the two
rhinoceroses for Kaabi, requested me to stop a day longer, and hunt
for him also. But fearing to establish a custom which would hereafter
prove extremely inconvenient to us, as it might lead every kraal to
expect that we should do the same for them, I thought it most
prudent at once to refuse Old Crowhead; though at the same time I
promised him a share of whatever we might chance to kill on the
road, if he would allow some of his people to accompany us for the
purpose of carrying it back. On which he ordered an old man and
his son to attend us.

Both these people being excessively thin, and apparently reduced
to that state by want of food, they immediately received from my
Hottentots the names of Oud, and Klein, Magerman (Old, and
Young, Lean-man). It seemed to be an act of charity to take these poor
creatures with us, that we might feed them plentifully for a few days.

The Hottentots, and, perhaps, all the tribes of Southern Africa,
have a custom of thus giving names to strangers when they are of a
different nation from themselves. This arises chiefly from the dif_i-
culty which they find, either in pronouncing, or in remembering, a
name to which their ear has never been accustomed, or the meaning of
which they do not understand. This is often done through inatten-

VOL. Il. PN

90 A VIOLENT THUNDER-STORM. 13, 14 Marcu,

tion or idleness in neglecting to inquire the proper name. In the
present case, however, the boy, whenever we asked him his name,
always declared that he had none; a circumstance which much
amused my people who considered themselves in a high state of
civilization, because they wore clothes of European make, carried a
gun, spoke Dutch, and had two names.

We took leave amidst the grateful salutations of the kraal; our
party now consisting of three Bushmen in addition to my own men.

Soon after we set out, the clouds began to collect, and for more
than three hours it rained without ceasing. As we rode along I
observed, in many places, considerable quantities of hail lying under
the bushes, and which the air was not warm enough to thaw. The
weather was very unsettled, and the wind blew extremely cold during
the whole of the day.

When we had travelled twelve miles, we again fell in with the
river, and crossed to its left bank. Here we were met by a shower of
rain and hail so violent that my horse refused to face it, and we were
therefore obliged to halt and turn our backs to the storm. The
loudest claps of thunder burst over our heads, and followed the flashes
of lightning without any perceptible interval of time. I could not
discover in our Bushmen any symptoms of fear, though nothing
could be more awful than the thunder, which seemed close above us
and exploded with a violence almost sufficient to destroy the hearing.

About four miles farther, we crossed to the right bank of the
river, which appeared to have taken a winding course from a consi-
derable distance westward, where some high mountains were in sight.
Here many herds of quakkas were observed; but as they grazed
only in the middle of these extensive plains, it was found impossible
to approach within musket-shot.*

At a mile beyond the river, our Bushmen brought us to a spring
of excellent water, situated in a kloof, or opening through a range of

* In these plains a small species of Loranthus was observed, growing on the branches
of the larger shrubs, and, being of a hoary appearance, was named

Loranthus canescens, B. Catal. Geogr. 2119. 5. Planta parva tota canescens, ut etiam
flores. Folia ovalia obtusa parva canescentia. Crescens in campis aridis, in ramis
Lyciorum. .

1812. HALF-WAY SPRING. — RHINOCEROS PASS. 91°

rocky mountains, Concluding that we had now accomplished the
half of our journey to Graaffreynet, I announced this circumstance to
my Hottentots ; and distinguished the spot on my map, by the name
of Half-way Spring. It was concealed in a thicket of tall reeds
inhabited by numbers of little birds*, whose chirping and singing
greatly enlivened the spot. The water was remarkably pure, and free
from all calcareous or ochraceous deposition. As the thicket of reeds
was large and might possibly be the concealment of some lion, we
took the precaution of sending in the dogs first, to ascertain whether
we might safely venture to approach the spring.

A great quantity of these reeds was cut down for the purpose of
making a shelter for the people, as the appearance of the sky bade
us prepare for a rainy night. In the mean time I climbed up the
rocks which form the eastern side of the pass, to take the bearings of
our last station and of the Bushman Table-mountain; but the
compass was much affected by the ferruginous quality of the stone.
Here on a large crag I scratched, with a piece of rock, the initials
of my name.

14th. After leaving this station, we travelled over a plain
nearly nine miles across, and surrounded by mountains. At the
southern extremity, we passed through an opening between them,
where our ‘ friendly river’ once more presented itself, and took its
course through the same opening. This, as I afterwards learned, was
known to the boors by the name of Rhendster Poort (Rhinoceros
Pass), and here we had a sight, in the highest degree pleasing to us
all; that of the track of awaggon. On examining the bushes stones
and grass, over which it had passed, we ascertained that it must have
been two years since that time, and that its direction was to the
south-east.

In every circumstance connected with the track of animals, and
consequently of waggons, the Hottentots and Bushmen, as well as all

* The Roode-bekje (Redbeak) or Loxia astrild, of Linnzeus.— The Koorn-vreeter
(Corn-eater) Fringilla arcuata of Gmelin. — And a small species of Reed-sparrow, (Mo-
tacille (Curruce) sp.

nN 2

92 ON DISTINGUISHING THE TRACKS OF ANIMALS. 14 Marcu,

the tribes of the Interior, are admirably quick and discerning. Their
experience enables them to distinguish almost with certainty, the
foot-mark of every animal in their country ; although many of them
so closely resemble each other that few European eyes would see the
difference, even if it were pointed out to them. But these natives,
whose food and clothing so greatly depend on knowledge of this kind,
are most acutely observant of every thing relating to it; and the
results of their judgment by combining these observations, are
often surprising and would lead to a belief that in the powers of
reasoning and reflection they are not so low as, in most other matters,
they appear to be. And if it can be admitted that this is really the
case, it affords in the same individual a striking, and an instructive,
example how much the human intellect may be raised by being duly
exerted, and how low it will insensibly sink, if not carefully culti-
vated and brought into use. These Africans pay an extraordinary
degree of attention to every little circumstance connected with the
habits and mode of life of the wild animals. The footsteps of some
are too remarkable to be mistaken; but with respect to others, they
are obliged to examine not only their form, but even their distance
apart, and their greater or less depth of impression; by which
latter observation they are enabled to distinguish a heavy-bodied
animal from a lighter. If it be an animal of the cat or dog genus,
they discover the kind by attending, not only to the size of the foot,
but to the different protuberances of it and to their relative position.
These marks conjointly with a knowledge of the different situations
and nature of the country and ground preferred by each species, lead
them to conclusions in which they rarely err. In estimating the
time elapsed since the animal had passed that way, they consider
the effects of the weather, the sun, the wind, or the rain: if these
have not altered the freshness of the impression, they naturally con-
clude it to have been made since the last of these occurred; if the
impression appear to have been made upon wet ground but partly
filled with dust or sand or leaves, they then know that the animal
must have passed over the ground since the last shower, but before
the storm of wind. Of this nature there are a multitude of other

1812. THE TRACK OF A WAGGON DISCOVERED. 93

circumstances, from which they deduce information: but what has
been mentioned will be sufficient for showing what reliance may be
placed upon their opinions. Cases occurred frequently during these
travels, when this knowledge proved of the utmost importance: it is
therefore a subject deserving of attention.

In the instance which gave rise to these remarks, the track of the
waggon was, at the spot where we first saw it, not very discernible.
But one of the Hottentots having noticed the middle stems of a low
shrub to be broken down close to the ground, in a manner different from
that in which they would have been broken by the foot of any animal,
immediately examined all around at the distance where the other wheel
should have passed ; and soon discovered other similar appearances,
by which we were all convinced that awheeled carriage must have been
there. All these stems or branches being observed to incline forwards
in the direction in which we were travelling, it was thus ascertained
that the waggon had advanced in that direction also; as every one, as
well as a Bushman, knows that a wheel pushes forward any small bodies
or obstructions in its way. The same conclusion was drawn from
those stems which had not been broken down, but the bark of which
had been torn. Those which had been beaten to the ground, still
remained in that position; but we observed other shoots rising
upright from them ; and, from these being of two years’ growth, we
drew the conclusion that it must have been about two years since the
waggon had passed that way.

At Rhenoster Poort * we found the space between the river and
the rocks but just wide enough to admit a passage. We crossed to
the left bank, and continued fer nearly an hour to follow the waggon-
track, which, as we advanced, became more visible, but at length it
re-crossed the river, while we pursued a course inclining westward,
and having close on our right, lofty mountains covered with grass.

* On the rocks of this pass I found a new and very neat shrubby species of Salvia.
A variety of plants grow on these mountains, but the circumstances of our travelling
did not admit of collecting and preserving any ; and unfortunately the mode which I have
recommended in such cases (Vol. I. p. 133 and 134.) did not at this time occur to me.

94 SOUTHERN STATION ON THE FRIENDLY RIVER. 14, 15 Marcu,

Observing here a large herd of quakkas, between thirty and
forty, Philip pursued them, and before he had approached within
shot, they were suddenly driven away by the report of a gun on the
other side, the smoke of which we perceived even from the spot
where we stood waiting. Knowing that we were now upon ground
to which the hunting excursions of the bordering colonists had
sometimes extended, we concluded that the shot had been fired by
a party of boors. We soon, however, discovered that this report was
from Speelman’s gun: he had started before us early in the morning,
for the purpose of getting a first shot at the game; as it had been
found that they were often alarmed and driven away by the sight of
the whole party. Soon after this a heavy rain set in, and continued
to pour without intermission till the next morning.

After travelling six hours, and finding ourselves close on the left
bank of our river, we resolved to proceed no farther this day, as the
weather was so unpropitious, and as all of us were exceedingly wet
and cold.

15th. The night passed most unpleasantly, as a strong wind
much increased the chilliness of the air, and, in the morning, our
clothes and bedding were found soaked with the rain. I have
marked this spot by the name of Southern Station, as it was the most
southern of all our sleeping-places along the banks of this river.

We were now fast advancing towards the borders of the colony,
according to the account of our Bushmen, who pointed out a distant
table-mountain, on the other side of which, they said, we should find
the residence of a boor whom they called Baas Jacob. Although
exceedingly anxious to know what part of the colony it was, to
which we were approaching, they could give me no clue by which
I could discover this; nor did they know any thing respecting the
bearing of Graaffreynet, nor even the boor’s surname.

As we could not expect to find much game within the colonial
boundary, I determined on remaining a day at this station, for the
purpose of hunting ; that we might obtain a stock of dried meat to
serve us till we reached the drostdy. But, although four of the best
marksmen were out the greater part of the day, nothing was shot.

1812. BAAS JACOB. — COMPLAINTS OF A BUSHGIRL. 95

A copious spring of good water had been discovered by the hunters,
not far from us, in the direction of south-south-east : and from several
indications, this part of the country appeared to be well watered.

In the afternoon we were visited by a small party of natives
consisting of two men, and six women, two of whom carried each an
infant at her back. They informed me that they had yesterday
travelled from Oud Baasje Jacob’s (old Master Jacob’s) ; where the
men had been employed as shepherd and herdsman, and the women
as assistants about the farm-house. These people, viewing me, .
as all their countrymen had hitherto viewed me, as a friend, were
eager to relate to me their grievances. They had quitted this boor’s
service because he had beaten one of the women. ‘The poor creature
herself came forward to tell the story; she was a young girl of
harmless engaging appearance, and I could not suppress the irrita-
tion of mind which I felt at hearing that any man had been brute
enough to lift his hand against so weak and defenceless a fellow-
creature ; for she was, as all girls of her nation are, of very small
and delicate frame. She told me that Oud Baas had tied her up to
one of the wheels of the waggon and flogged her for a long time.
The other women all joined in the tale, and two or three at once
_ were showing me the position in which she was tied, first imitating
the act of flogging, and then that of crying and supplicating for
mercy: but she implored in vain, for no mercy was in his heart, till
he had vented his rage.

Unfortunately it was not in my power to afford them any redress,
or to investigate whether she had, or had not, been punished un-
deservingly. I could only compassionate the poor girl; and this,
if it could be any alleviation to her feelings, I did from my heart.
I gave them some tobacco, to cheer them; nor did it even in so
unfavourable a state of mind, fail to gladden their countenances.
This gave them an occasion to complain that they had very seldom
received any from the baas, and whenever they did, it was but an
extremely small piece, which, they said, he threw down on the ground
to them as if they had been dogs. This last remark should not pass
without notice, as it gives us admonition which cannot be too strongly

06 ON GIVING A GENERAL CHARACTER TO THE BOORS. 15,16 Marcu,

inculcated and remembered ; it shows that savages, however low or
debased may be their rank among the nations of the globe, are not
insensible to an indignity.

I could not learn for what crime this flogging had been inflicted ;
nor do I pretend to interfere with the question, whether, from mere
ignorance, or misled by the habits of a lawless life to which she had
been born, she might not, though unwittingly, have committed some
offence which, in a civilized or better instructed society, might justly
be visited with punishment; but I shall not hesitate to pronounce
that man to be a cowardly unfeeling brute, who could treat with such
merciless severity, one of that sex which it is a natural duty to
protect from wrong, and shield from unkindness.

Another of the Bushwomen complained that this baas had com-
pelled her son to remain in his service against his wish; nor could
they by any means obtain leave for him to return with them to their
kraal. Whatever might have been the stipulated wages for these
people’s services, they certainly carried away with them none of the
rewards of their labor, unless a cap of scarlet cloth, and a pair of old
cloth trowsers, are to be considered as such, or the sheep skins which
the women wore over their shoulders and which were probably given
to them by their kind-hearted baas.

As the events of these travels are, without partiality or pre-
judice, related as they occurred, and the observations recorded faith-
fully in that light in which they appeared, I cannot allow the unfavor-
able qualities of an individual, to be adopted as the general character
of the Dutch colonists, any more than I would admit selected ex-
amples of individual worthiness, to be taken as specimens of the
whole colony. Of the latter, I know many: of the former, I wish
that I knew none.

From these natives I learned that the boors were apprized of my
coming, and that the intelligence had reached them by means of
some men of Kaabi’s kraal, who had been to communicate with
some of their friends residing on the borders. I was not surprised
at these Bushmen having outstripped us in travelling, because I had
witnessed sufficient proofs of their powers, to believe that they can

1812. MAPS OF THE COLONY. — ANT-EATER. O07

whenever they please, traverse the country in at least half and
sometimes a third of the time required by a colonist.

The party remained with us this night, and partook of our
supper. While they were happily engaged in smoking, I took the
opportunity of a fine evening, and abundance of fuel to give me light,
to lay down on the map of my route, the last days of our course ;
which I had till now been prevented doing, by the unfavorable state
of the weather. I carried with mea small Dutch pocket-map of the
Colony ; but in this part it was so deficient and so incorrect, that not
the least advantage could be derived from it, to guide my course,
or to enable me to guess what particular part of the boundary I was
now approaching.

16th. Our stock of meat being now consumed, I sent off Philip
and two others to hunt in advance, giving them instructions respect-
ing the direction in which I intended to travel. Our two last visitors,
finding that it was not in our power to supply them with provisions
to take home, went out early in the morning to hunt in a distant
part of the plain. They returned unsuccessful, though they had
found an aardvark * or ant-eater; but it took refuge in its hole,
and after considerable labor in endeavouring to unearth it, the animal
escaped by burrowing still deeper. These Bushmen and the women
who came with them remained with us till the moment of our
departure; when bidding me farewell in the colonial manner, by
repeating the word dag, they hasted away to their kraal.

We had not travelled more than eight miles, and had just
passed through an opening between some low rocky hills, where
there were two large ponds of fresh water, when five distant reports
of a musket, which we supposed to proceed from a party of boors,
induced us to halt, and watch if they came in sight.

Both Riizo and the old Bushman advised me to stop here for
the night, as they were not acquainted with any other water which
it would be possible for us to reach before daylight failed us.

* A more particular account of this animal has been given in the first volume, at
page 342.

VOL. II. O

98 GERANIUM ROCKS. 16, 17 Marcu,

We therefore returned to these ponds, and unpacked our oxen by the
side of some remarkable masses of rock, which had much the ap-
pearance of works of art, as if huge square blocks of stone had been
regularly piled one upon another. This station is pointed out.on the
map by the name of Geranium Rocks ; and a representation of some
of these rocks, is given in the vignette at page 80. After passing
the Karro Poort *, plants of the Geranium tribe had rarely been met
with; and of these few, none had been found of so shrubby a growth,
or perhaps of so pleasant a scent, as the species + which decorates
this place. Around the ponds, I observed small quantities of
fuller’s-earth, a substance which had not hitherto been any where
noticed.

I immediately sent Hendrik out to reconnoitre, and to observe
if any colonists were in the neighbourhood. But soon after he was
gone, Philip and his party appeared in sight, and, when they came
up to us, explained that the five shots which had been heard, were
fired by them, at a troop of quakkas; none of which, however, they
had been so fortunate as to obtain.

Yet as no one had eaten since the preceding night, it was re-
solved to make a second attempt ; and another troop of quakkas at
that moment making their appearance on the plain, my whole party
instantly went in pursuit. By dividing, and taking a wide circuit,
they were enabled slowly and cautiously to advance upon them from
every side; so that it became impossible for the animals to escape
without coming within shot of one or other of the men. This
chanced to be Speelman; and he was too good a marksman not to

* The botanical remarks in the first volume, at pages 208 and 209, may in part be
referred to this place.

+ As there was no opportunity of preserving a specimen of this plant, I cannot
mention the species with certainty; although I believe it to have been the same which
I found twelve months afterwards on the Table-mountain in the vicinity of a place
denominated Horse’s Grave ; and of which plant, the following is the description.

Pelargonium tragacanthoides, B. Catal. Geogr. 2693. Frutex erectus ramosus
bipedalis, odore graté terebinthaceo. Rami erecti subdichotomi, superné densé tecti
petiolis emortuis persistentibus. Folia bipinnata, pubescentia, erecta, confertissima, basibus
petiolorum imbricantibus. Paniculze terminales, compositee ex umbellis alternis sub-
quadrifloris. Pedunculi umbellarum patentes.

1812. VERDANT PLAIN.— REMAINS OF A KAAMA. 99

profit by the opportunity: he fired, and a quakka fell. With the
assistance of his companions, the carcass was skinned and got home
in the evening, in time for us to make from it a meal, which was
both breakfast and supper.

17th. Before the sun had risen to its greatest height, we mounted
our oxen and departed from Geranium Rocks, directing our course
towards the south. We travelled, with pleasant weather, over two
large plains, which derived a beautifully verdant hue from an extra-
ordinary abundance of Cyperus usitatus, which from its growth and
appearance might easily be mistaken for grass: but it was remarkable
that no true grass was observed in any part of these plains; the surface
being almost every where clothed with this plant, intermingled in
various places with low bushes, such as are generally met with in
lands partaking of the nature of Karro. ‘This is the cyperus already
described as producing the numerous little bulbs which constitute
one of the principal articles of food used by the Bushmen.

These plains were about five or six miles across, and divided
from each other by a ridge of hills of moderate elevation. Here our
dogs caught a common jackal, and a young gemsbok (ghemsbok) :
the latter was not bigger than a domestic goat. One of the stragglers
of our party fell in with the fresh remains of a kaama, or hartebeest,
which we supposed to have been hunted down by the ‘ wild dogs,’ as
they are called, or the animal which I have in the former volume
described under the name of Hyena venatica. As they had devoured
nothing more than the haunches and entrails, it was a prize worth
halting for; and besides a large quantity of meat which we thus
gained, the skin is considered as one of the best and strongest for
leather and small thongs. The business of flaying and loading up
the meat, detained us more than an hour.

At the termination of the plain we climbed a rocky ascent,
which brought us up to an elevated mountainous country of a mile or
two in extent, abounding in bushes and grass, and where the air felt
cooler than in the plains. Here the geological nature of the moun-
tains assumed a new feature: their strata were still horizontal, and,
although the table form might in general be discovered, their out-

0 2

100 RE-ENTERING THE COLONY. 17, 18 Marcu,

line was more varied and pleasing. But a feature which had nto
been observed in the other mountains of the Cisgariepine, at least
since we had left the Asbestos Mountains, was a deep stratum, some-
times forty or fifty feet thick, of sandstone, running through them
at a little distance below their summits, and of a paler color than
the other strata. Huge fragments, or blocks, of this stone, lay
every where scattered about the valleys; and the scenery as we rode
along them, became more picturesque as we advanced, and very
different from all which we had now seen in the country on this
side of the Gariep.

This change in the geology of the mountains, was accompanied
by a change in botany : their sides were clothed with a richer foliage,
and with many plants hitherto new; particularly a species of Rhus *
which grew from between the rocks, and decorated the foot of the
hills with pleasing light soft masses, in rounded, yet beautiful, forms,
and generally of the height of six or eight feet. This elegant shrub
was found no where but in these regions.

Being eager to discover some proof of our immediate vicinity
to the Colony, I rode on before, with two of my men. We ascended
a very rocky ridge connecting loftier mountains, whence I had an
opportunity of taking the bearing of the ‘ Bushman Table Moun-
tain.” With some difficulty we descended to the flat on the other
side, where we found a small pond of water, and discovered, to our
great pleasure, that it had been frequented by flocks of sheep: and
our suspicions of having actually entered the Colony, were confirmed
soon afterwards by Philip, who, having been obliged to take the
loaded oxen round by a lower opening between the mountains, had
seen the remains of an old Jeg-plaats or cattle-station.

As the sun was nearly setting, we halted here for the night.
All my people were highly pleased at finding that we had thus safely
accomplished the passage through the country of the Bushmen, and
evinced a considerable share of satisfaction, by talking and laughing

* Rhus serrefolium, B. Catal. Geogr. 2697. Frutex sexpedalis ramosissimus. Foliola
linearia grossé serrata glabra; (juniora preesertim) lucida et quasi vernice oblita.

1812. CHARACTERS OF RIIZO AND THE BUSHBOY. 101

more than usual, Plenty of fuel close at hand, enabled them again
to indulge in one of their great enjoyments, a blazing fire: in this,
I followed their example; but instead of taking the tobacco-pipe, I
amused myself in the evening with the pen.

18th. As Riizo was soon to take leave, having now fulfilled his
promise of accompanying us until we had arrived at the habitation
of a colonist, I drew his portrait, that I might ever preserve, tor my
own gratification, the features of a man who, though one of a law-
less and despised race, one who, though doomed to live and die in
ignorance of all that improves and civilizes the mind, had yet a heart
which taught him to be grateful to a friend, and a just sense of
fidelity to his engagements. These features would not indeed, ac-
cording to the judgment of a European, be thought of a prepossess-
ing cast; but the judgment of a European is often as much per-
verted by customs and prejudices, as that of a Bushman. I constantly
struggled against this influence of national habit, that I might,
wherever my travels led me, view the expression of men’s counte-
nances as they were viewed by their own countrymen ; and the length
of time during which the wild natives of Africa were daily before my
eyes, has enabled me, I hope, to overcome, at least those prejudices
which are commonly occasioned by color and feature.

Riizo, though a great dancer, as it has been shown, was never-
theless a man of much sedateness ; seldom allowing his joy at any
occurrence, to break forth in the unrestrained manner of many of his
countrymen: but he was exceedingly active, and at all times ready to
do any thing which I desired. He was always foremost to lend
his assistance in loading and unloading our pack-oxen, and was per-
fectly content with whatever reward I thought proper to give him
for his trouble.

I also drew the portrait of the boy whom my Hottentots had
named Klein Magerman (Young Lean-man). Both he, and his father,
were much improved in appearance, during the few days they had
lived upon our provisions ; yet still they were far from having out-
grown their new name. I had drawn Riizo in the attitude in which
he happened to be sitting ; and when this boy was told that I wished

102 HOTTENTOTS IN FULL DRESS. 18 Marcu,

also to take his likeness, he instantly came and seated himself down in
the same place, and in the same attitude. I mention this little cir-
cumstance, because it shows marks of a tractable disposition, and of
a goodnatured readiness to do what he supposed to be proper;
imagining that sitting in that position, was the only mode in which a
portrait could be taken. His features, assisted by the roundness of
youth, had a very pleasing expression ; and when the drawings were
shown to him, he smiled as if conscious of their being resemblances
of himself and his countryman. My own men were much amused at
the representation I had given of the boy’s leanness and Riizo’s flat
nose; Speelman exclaiming, net zo mager; net xo lelyk (just as lean ;
just as ugly).

I now discovered in part, what were the contents of my Hotten-
tots’ bags. Being on the point of making our appearance before
Kriste-mensch (Christians) as they thought, each one had dragged
into light some new piece of dress, which had been reserved for this
grand occasion. Old Cobus displayed a new pair of leathern trowsers,
and Uncle Hans did the same; Hendrik produced a new leathern
jacket quite red with the dye given in tanning; and Philip, being the
washerwoman, did not forget to put on a clean shirt, and dress him-
self out in his blue cloth trowsers and jas (watch-coat).

But Speelman, whom I had long marked as the dandy of our
party, with this exception to the character, that he was a man and
had brains, outshone them all. He dressed in a fashion, I believe, of
his own; or at least, I never saw its like in any part of Africa.
Besides the cocked hat which I have already commemorated, he wore
a blue cloth jacket, and new leathern trowsers. Over these were
drawn blue cotton stockings, which came up above the knees; over
the lower half of the stockings, he had buttoned on a pair of leathern
gaiters; and to complete the neatness of his leg and foot, he added
to the gaiters a new pair of hide-shoes.

Thus equipped, we set out early in the forcneon: anticipating
the comfort of taking up our next quarters under shelter of a Dutch
farm-house. The day was fair, and the weather now appeared to be
more settled. The scenery was exceedingly picturesque; the sand-

1812. ARRIVAL AT THE FIRST COLONIAL DWELLING. 103

stone stratum continued a principal feature, and the saw-leaved rhus
every where decorated our road. We directed our course towards
the Table Mountain, near which, the Bushmen had told us that we
should find a boor’s habitation.

When we had travelled through the mountains about fourteen
miles, we came all at once upon the edge of this elevated tract ;
whence we had a very extensive view of a large plain below,
stretching out to the southward, and bounded by distant hills.
The Bushmen pointed down to the plain, and we there beheld the
dwelling of a colonist.

Like sailors who after a long voyage at last make land, but having
lost their reckoning, know not what coast it is which they behold
before them, and are anxious to meet a pilot, or some fishing-boat,
who may inform them of the place at which they have arrived; so
we, who knew not what part of the Colony we had entered, were
hoping to meet some shepherd, or stray Hottentot, of whom we
might ask the name of the district before us.

The mountain which had hitherto been the object to which we
had directed our course, was now close at our right and immediately
connected with that on which we were standing. While we halted to
collect the party together, I made a sketch of this, and of our first
view of the Colony. We then, in a body, descended the steep and
rocky declivity into the plain; and in less than a mile farther, arrived
at the farm-house.

CHAPTER IV.

JOURNEY FROM THE BORDERS OF THE COLONY, TO THE VILLAGE OF
GRAAFFREYNET.

I nope immediately to the house, but did not dismount, as I
expected that the master of the place, who was standing at the sheep-
fold a few yards off, would, according to colonial hospitality, as soon
as the first salutations were over, welcome me to his abode and invite
me to enter. Neither the master, however, nor his wife, ever came
near us; but remained the whole time at the fold, evidently with the
intention of keeping away in order to avoid all communication. But
two men of the family, and several women and children, came and
stood round me: their complexion struck me as unpleasantly fair and
colorless, their features as disagreeably sharp, and the expression of
their countenances, as wild and senseless. How much of this singular
impression, was to be attributed to my having been for several months
accustomed to Hottentot and Bushman features and complexion, and
to my having seen none but two or three sun-burnt white people; or,

18 Marcu, 1812. GROOTE TAFELBERG.— JACOB VAN WYK. 105

how far it was occasioned by any peculiarity in the appearance of this
family, I cannot determine exactly ; but it was certainly the effect of
both: for, on comparison with those whom we afterwards saw at other
houses on our road, these women were insipidly fair, and rendered
therefore the more remarkable by the contrast of strong black eye-
brows. To this, both in them and in the men, was added a very
illshaped and projecting nose.

‘I accosted them with the usual salutations, which they slightly
and coldly returned. I inquired of them, what part of the colony I
was in, and at what farm I was arrived: to which they replied, that
the mountain (pointing to that which had been our beacon) was
Groote Tafelberg*, and the farm that of Jacob Van Wyk.+ On this,
instead of an invitation to come into the house or to dismount, they
proceeded, in a tone of intolerable insolence, to put a long string of
impertinent questions. These I patiently answered; because, as I
soon began to perceive that they were perversely inclined, I conceived
it to be advisable, as a traveller desirous of beholding them in their
true colors, not to check them from giving me an undisguised display
of their natural disposition. And, with the view of leaving the first
colonists, whom we should meet, at liberty to do on this occasion,
just as their own sense of hospitality might dictate, I had, before we
came in sight of the house, strictly ordered that no one of my men
should ask for any refreshment or assistance. In answering their
numerous questions, I gave them the information, that [ had left my
waggons on the other side of the ‘ Groote rivier’ ; that I had been three
weeks travelling through the country of the Bushmen ; and was going
to Graaffreynet to hire Hottentots. They seemed to doubt this last

* A representation of Groote Tafelberg (Great Table-mountain), as viewed from the
south-east, may be seen in the preceding page. In this name, the word < great’ is not to
be taken absolutely, but merely comparatively with reference to another table-mountain of
smaller size, hereafter mentioned on the 20th.

+ In the map of this place, a trifling mistake in engraving has escaped correction :
the shading of the mountains should have been carried a little farther ncrthward, so as to
have included the dwelling of Van Wyk, which now, improperly, appears to stand upon
the mountains, instead of being at the foot of them.

VOL. II. P

106 INHOSPITABLE RECEPTION AT 18 Marcu,

remark ; and asked how I could expect to hire Hottentots, when the
boors found them so scarce. I replied, that Landdrost Stockenstrom
would assist me. The landdrost, said they, was murdered by the
Caffres a few weeks ago. The apathy with which they mentioned
this, must have appeared strongly contrasted by my own expression

of the shock which I felt at the melancholy intelligence. I asked, if

it was quite certain; they briefly assured me that it was: yet still I
hoped to hear, as I advanced, that this sad news was not correct.

Thinking it possible they might suppose that by remaining on
horseback I had nowish to halt, I dismounted and gave the horse to the
care of one ofmy men. On this they removed into the house; and as
I was uncertain whether I was not expected to follow, I entered; but
instead of offering a seat, they began to put further questions merely
to satisfy their curiosity respecting the nature of the country and the
quantity of game beyond the borders.

Finding that no civility was intended to be shown me at die
house, and aie family having given me sufficient proofs of their true
character, I ended the conversation by inquiring the bearing and
distance of Graaffreynet ; resolving to depart from a place, the in-
habitants of which, were so much inferior in benevolence, to the
savages, — men in whose kraals we had been received with artless joy
and genuine good-will.

My own Hottentots, not supposing it possible that their master,
could meet with any other than a hospitable reception, or at least
with a civil one, had proceeded to some bushes at the distance of a
few yards from the fold, where they had unpacked the oxen and were
preparing to rest till the next morning. Though so close to the old
baas himself, and his wife, no one came near them, lest their speaking
to the men might be taken as a welcome to stop there. As I passed
by the fold in my way to this spot, I made the customary salutation
to him, with the view of ascertaining to what degree this hoggish
disposition could be carried, and of leaving him no excuse for omitting
the common civilities of the colony: neither he, nor his vrouw, made
any return, nor took any notice of the respect which I paid them ;

.

1812. JACOB VAN WYK’S. 107

but continued looking at their sheep, and scarcely deigned to turn
their heads.

If I did not attribute it to a brutal insensibility, I should be
totally at a loss in imagining what could have induced this boor and
his family to conduct themselves so differently from other colonists to
whom I was equally a stranger and equally unknown. My own
Hottentots had given them to understand that I was not their inferior,
and that, notwithstanding the weather-beaten appearance of my dress,
Iwas an ‘ Engelsche Heer.’ It is, however, not improbable, that their
having previously discovered that the person who was approaching
their habitation was an Englishman, might have been the cause of the
ungracious reception which they gave me; and which it is very likely,
would have been much worse, had they not observed that we were all
armed.

In various parts of the colony may be found men who, without
any love for a Dutch government, hate that of the English, because it
has enforced their own colonial laws, and put a check upon those per-
sons who would rather live without any law at all. The inhabitants of
this settlement can surely have no reasonable or honorable excuse for
disliking a government under which they have risen to a degree of
prosperity and affluence, unknown to them before. Nor do I believe,
that the honest and reflecting part, and the general bulk of the commu-
nity, entertain any sentiments of this kind; sentiments which are con-
fined within a narrow compass, to a set of men who would prove
themselves unworthy subjects in any country, and such as criminal
codes have ever been made for.

I ordered my Hottentots to reload our bedding. The poor fellows
took up their bags, and, with dejected and disappointed looks, packed
them on the oxen again. They had been anticipating, certainly
not very unreasonably, the enjoyment of again tasting bread, and of
having some change of food, which for a long time had consisted only
in meat ; and even that, without salt. My mind having been prepared
for travelling without luxuries, I felt for these men, much more than
for myself, as they had, elate with pleasing expectation, put on all their
best clothes, in order to show respect to the first farm-house which

4

108 DEPARTURE OF RIIZO. 18 Marcu,

should receive us. Their disappointment was very evident; and it
was only by the strictest injunctions, that I could restrain them from
the open expression of their indignation at the want of feeling
which those men must have, who could suffer any persons under our
circumstances, to pass their door without a welcome, or even a civil
salutation.

Of one of the Hottentots of the place, we asked instructions
respecting the road which we were to take; and as soon as all were
ready for starting, our friend Riizo, to whom I had as great pleasure
in making a present of a large stock of tobacco, as he had in receiving
it, took his leave to return to Kaabi’s Kraal. We separated under
an expectation, equally agreeable to both, that we should soon meet
again. I had supposed that the old Bushman and his son would also
have quitted us at this place; but after witnessing the little respect
which, at this farm, had been shown even to a white man, he was so
fearful that, as soon as I was gone, Oud Baasje Jacob would seize the
boy and detain him as a slave, to work for him, that he resolved to
leave him under my protection; begging that he might be kindly
taken care of, and restored to him at our return.

As soon as this arrangement was agreed to on my part, the father
and Riizo, hasted away back to the mountains, while the son (Little
Leanman,) well pleased with his lot, slung his bow and quiver at his
back, and considered himself now, as one of the Englishman’s own
party.

As Van Wyk’s hospitality, and the business of unloading and
loading up again, had not delayed us longer than an hour and a
quarter, we had still four hours’ sun to enable us to reach some more
friendly place. Soon after we left the house, the boor drove off in
his waggon, and we saw him going across the plain to the eastward,
for the purpose, as we afterwards heard, of reporting to the veld-
cornet, that a party of strange men had entered the colony.

For two hours we rode along a beaten waggon-road, an accom-
modation which we had not met with for several months, and which
enabled us with ease to travel at a quicker rate than usual. From
this we turned out to the right in order to take a nearer path, and

1812. REMARKS ON THE SPRINGBUCK. 109

ascended a rugged kloof’ practicable only for cattle. A representation
of this pass is given in the vignette at the end of the chapter.

At this high level, we entered upon a very extensive open plain,
abounding, to an incredible degree, in wild animals; among which
were several large herds of quakkas, and many wilde-beests or gnues :
but the springbucks were far the most numerous, and, like flocks of
sheep, completely covered several parts of the plain. Their uncer-
tain movements rendered it impossible to estimate their number, but
I believe if I were to guess it at two thousand, I should still be within
the truth. This is one of the most beautiful of the antelopes of
Southern Africa; and it is certainly one of the most numerous. The
plain afforded no other object to fix the attention ; and even if it had
presented many, I shouldnot readily have ceased admiringthese elegant
animals, or have been diverted from watching their manners. It was
only occasionally, that they took those remarkable leaps which have
been the origin of the name; but when grazing or moving at leisure,
they walked or trotted like other antelopes, or as the common deer.
When pursued, or hastening their pace, they frequently took an extra-
ordinary bound, rising with curved or elevated backs, high into the
air, generally to the height of eight feet, and appearing as if about to
take flight.* Some of the herds moved by us almost within musket-
shot ; and I observed that in crossing the beaten road, the greater
number cleared it by one of those flying leaps. As the road was quite
smooth, and level with the plain, there was no necessity for their
leaping over it; but it seemed that the fear of a snare, or a natural
disposition to regard man as their enemy, induced them to mistrust
even the ground which he had trodden.

* When Mr. Barrow asserts of the springbuck (Trav. p.104.) that “ its usual pace
is a constant jumping or springing, with all four legs stretched out, and off the ground at
the same time,” he only proves how little he himself knew of a subject on which he was
attempting to give information to others; and presents us with a specimen of the accuracy
with which his book has been put together. I do not mean to say that in this description
he is guilty of any intentional misrepresentation ; for I really believe that he wrote it as
well as he could.

110 DIMINUTIVE BUSHES.— POND STATION. 18, 19 Marcu,

This plain was nearly six miles across, and terminated by ranges
of mountains or rocky hills. Its surface was uniformly covered with
low bushes, diminishing in size as we advanced, till they were, in that
part where we halted, not higher, on an average, than nine inches ;
nor could I find any which exceeded a foot. They were all of that
dwarf kind which has been described on a former occasion.*

In the south-eastern quarter of the plain, we came to a large
pond; and as it was at this time an hour after sunset, and it was
thought too dark to venture farther, we here unpacked, and took up
our station in a spot the most bare and unsheltered that can be
imagined. Not a shrub could be found, by the side of which we
might sleep somewhat protected from a cold wind which at night blew
keenly along the surface of the ground; nor was there fuel sufficient
for keeping, according to our usual custom, a fire burning till morning.
Barely enough of these pigmy bushes could be pulled up before dark,
for cooking our food. As stones were every where found scattered
about, I ordered a few to be piled up in the form of a low semi-
circular wall, to shelter my head from the wind; but the men pre-
ferred exposure to the weather, to the trouble of collecting a few more
pieces of rock for themselves. We were obliged to make our oxen
fast, if it can be so said, to loose stones; but they, and the sheep,
were nearly as tame as the dogs, and had become so used to the daily
routine of our travelling, that they seemed to understand their duty ;
and, in fact, gave the people very little trouble in looking after them.
This spot is distinguished on the map by the name of Pond Station.

19th. On account of the scarcity of fuel, we left this station before
breakfast, and after having travelled a little less than two miles, arrived
at the termination of this bleak plain; where we found the dwelling
of acolonist. It was a mere hut, and had not been inhabited by
its owner for some time, but two or three ‘tame Bushmen’ were
living there, to take care of the garden; that is, to keep the cattle
out of it, and watch that it was not plundered. They came out to

* At page 314. of the first volume.

1812. HOSPITABLE RECEPTION AT PIET VERMEULEN’S. 1ll

greet us, when we halted a few minutes to inquire respecting our
road and the name of the place. This they said was Groote Fontein
(Great Fountain, or Spring).

From this place the country continued level and open during
the remainder of the day’s journey. Great numbers of springbucks
were seen, and some gnues; but nothing worth remark was observed
during a distance of eighteen miles, excepting the uniformity, and
karro-like nature, of the country, every where apparently destitute of
water. At the southern extremity of this plain, a few temporary
pools were found, near some low hills which form its boundary ; but
not a tree was any where to be seen in the whole district.

The clouds now began to assume a threatening appearance; we
therefore hastened our pace in hopes of reaching some shelter, before
the storm commenced. At not more than a mile farther, we came
in sight of a farm-house; and, after what I had experienced at Van
Wyk’s, it was not without some hesitation that I rode up to the door.

On seeing me arrive, one of the family came out, and, after the
usual salutations, welcomed me into the house, and, immediately
on entering, offered me a seat, in the same hospitable manner which
I had found generally practised in most parts of the Cape Colony.
To my request that my people might be allowed to take shelter for
the night, in one of the out-buildings, the answer was, instantly,
“ Yes, certainly ;’ and when I said that more of my party were
coming on, they replied, “There will be room for them all.”

Scarcely were we under the roof, before there fell as violent
and heavy a storm of hail and rain, as I had ever witnessed: the
hailstones were three quarters of an inch in diameter. The rest of
my people with the pack oxen, were not so fortunate, as they did
not arrive till half an hour afterwards ; but finding a house ready to
receive them, they were in the best spirits, though thoroughly soaked
with wet. The rain continued during the remainder of the day, to
pour down in torrents.

The name of the place was Krieger’s Fontein, and that of the
owner Piet Vermeulen. The master himself was at this time absent
on the commando, or militia-service, against the Caffres in the

112 COLONISTS AND BUSHMEN. 19 Marcu,

Zuureveld ; where he had been on duty, nearly three months ; but his
wife received us with the most willing hospitality.

Before it was mentioned by myself, she had discovered that I
had eaten nothing that day; and immediately spread the table her-
self, and set before me, meat, eggs, butter, and some excellent bread.
These, although so great a treat after privations such as those of a
journey on horseback through the wild country of the Bushmen,
were not so gratifying as the benevolent kindness with which they
were offered. She had given orders, that my men should be supplied
with both bread and meat, and that my cattle should be taken into
the fold, along with her own. She expressed great surprise at the
journey we had performed, and that a white-man should have
ventured in so unprotected a manner amongst the Bushmen; but
was still more surprised that I had escaped alive.

These are the common sentiments of the colonists living on the
borders, and who are accustomed to regard these savages as a most
dangerous race of beings; the very name of them conveying with it
the idea of, stealing cattle, and of a cruel death by poisoned arrows.
These ideas have not been admitted without cause; and even at this
time, the boors occasionally suffer heavy losses: but the Bushmen,
in exculpation, declare that they rob in retaliation of past injuries.
Thus, the recollection of injustice on both sides, still operates to
produce an international enmity which nothing but great forbearance
and good sense can ever convert into mutual confidence: a result
which I believe to be attainable by means of a steady co-operation of
the government and the colonists, as soon as both these shall concur
in the undertaking, as in one which is equally their religious duty and
their moral policy.

Having been now nearly nine months without having received any
intelligence from the Cape, I made many inquiries respecting the state
of affairs ; but in this remote corner of the colony, nothing was heard
from Cape Town; and but little more was known of what was passing
at Graaffreynet. At these farms the visit of a stranger is a rare oc-
currence; and, excepting their neighbours, for so they call those who
reside within forty or fifty miles, scarcely any one is seen to pass this

1812. SHEEP. — SOAP. — PASTURE. — TIMBER. 113

way. Not even the butcher’s man, or slagters knegt *, ever made his
appearance at this distant farm; although the owner possessed a flock
of not less than four thousand sheep; and many of his neighbours,
not less than six.

Still, however, the rearing of cattle was their chief means of
subsistence: the family, with their slaves and Hottentots, being fed
with mutton at every meal, caused a daily consumption of two sheep,
the fat of which was considered almost. equal in value to the rest of
the carcass, by being manufactured into soap. It was, as they in-
formed me, more profitable to kill their sheep, for this purpose only,
than to sell them to the butchers at so low a price as a rix-dollar
or less, and even so low as five schellings. + Formerly the alkali
necessary for this manufacture, was obtained here from the Ganna-
(or Kanna-) bosch; but that being at length, all consumed through
a constant demand for it, another species of Salsola growing wild
in many parts of the country, was taken as a substitute, and found
to be even preferable to the ganna. In the house, I saw a great
number of cakes of this soap, piled up to harden, ready for their
next annual journey to Cape Town; whither they go, not merely
for the purpose of selling it, but of purchasing clothing and such
other articles as are not to be had in the country districts, but at an
exorbitant price.

The pasture of this farm, and of the wholeof the neighbouring
country generally, is thought to be less adapted for oxen, than for
sheep; on which account, Vermeulen holds a farm in another divi-
sion, better suited for his larger cattle.

The country in which we now were, is that division of the
Graaffreynet district, which is called Achter-Sneeuwberg (Behind the
Snow-mountains). It is, as well as several others in this part of the
colony, very deficient in trees of dimensions large enough for planks ;

* The office of slagter’s knegt has already been described in the first volume, at

page 201.
+ That is; from four shillings to half a crown currency; or about half that sum in
sterling money.

VOL. II. Q

114 FUEL.— ITINERANT TUTOR. 18 Marcn,

and its inhabitants, therefore, fetch the principal part of their timber
from the forests beyond Bruyntjes Hoogte, from those growing on the
Bosch-bergen (Forest Mountains), and from the borders of Kafferland,
about the Baviaan’s rivier (Baboon’s river). Doors and tables, and
the larger beams, were here observed to be all of Geelhout (Yellow-
wood); but the rafters were of willow, which is found to answer
sufficiently well for this purpose, and is more easily attainable by the
colonists living northward of the Snow-mountains, and, who find the
banks of the Groote rivier, as they here call the Nugariep where it
abounds, a much shorter and easier journey.

From the immense number of cattle kept on these farms, their
manure accumulates in the fold, to a great thickness ; and this, from
time to time, is cut into square pieces in the manner of peat, and
appeared to answer the purpose of fuel equally well. The walls of
these cattle-pounds, are at many farms here, built entirely of such
pieces of manure piled up to dry; and which go by the name of
mest-koek (manure-cake). This fuel produces a strong heat ; but gives
out a disagreeable smell, until it is well ignited.

At this house, there resided one of those itinerant tutors
of whom some account has been given on a former occasion. * He
was a man of ingenuity, and of some experience of the world, having
been in the Dutch service at Malacca, and Batavia, and having
passed some time at Moccha in Arabia. He was related, he said,
to an opulent family of the same name in Cape Town. At this
farm he had been nearly a twelvemonth, employed in giving instruc-
tion to three sons of Vermeulen, who, besides these, had five other
children.

This meester, as he was called, (that is; schoolmeester, or school-
master) considered it part of his profession, like the meester at
Pieter Jacobs’s, to let every person know the extent of his acquire-
ments. But this was done without any inordinate share of vanity ;
and, I confess, I was not sorry at his making this display; for,
although there was nothing which any person but a Cape meester

* Vol. I. p. 199.

1812. SMOKING; A UNIVERSAL CUSTOM. 115

would boast of, it was an agreeable relief from the monotony of a
conversation on agricultural subjects, the only topics which generally
are to be expected at such farm-houses. He exhibited some small
drawings which, he told me, were done entirely with the juice of
the petals of a species of oxalis producing a blue color, of the tint
of indigo. He had very ingeniously made pencils from the hair of
the springbuck ; and as far as my present stock of drawing materials
would permit, I was glad at being able to supply his wants, by furnish-
ing him with a few camels-hair pencils and a piece of China-ink.
With these be employed himself in the evening in making a copy
of my drawing of the rhinoceros. His powers in penmanship were
not despicable; and as a proof of steadiness of hand and of good
sight, he gave me a piece of paper on which, by the naked eye, he
had written the * Lord’s Prayer’ twice in a circular space of Jess than
seven tenths of an inch in diameter.

At night I sat down with the family to a hot supper of mutton ;
to which were added, a salad of cucumbers, and a large bowl of
milk: this last being usually the concluding dish at a boor’s supper.

The description, in the former volume, of Peter Jacobs’s dwel-
ling and of his whole establishment, will convey a tolerably just idea
of the place. The rooms in the principal house being but three (that
is, one in the middle in which the family sit and take their meals,
and one bed-room at each end) a visitor could not be accommodated
with a chamber to himself. A bed was therefore prepared for me,
in the same apartment with the meester and his three scholars.

This tutor was in every respect, qualified for finishing their
education, and for completing them for Dutch farmers; for a man
who does not smoke, is a rare phenomenon in this colony, and is
generally looked upon by the boors as an imperfect creature ; a dis-
advantage which I myself laboured under, but which, for want of
any natural talent for this accomplishment, I was never able to over-
come. I might perhaps have partly retrieved my character in their
estimation, could I even have shown them that I enjoyed it in taste ;
or even in smell, by exhibiting both nostrils blackened, and herme-
tically closed, with that elegant and fashionable dirt, called in

Q 2

116 A NIGHT’S ENTERTAINMENT. 19, 20 Marcu,

England, snuff’: but in both these arts, unfortunately, I was equally
deficient.

This tutor, then, as soon as he was in bed, placed the candle by
his side, as | at first thought and hoped, to extinguish it, that I might
be left to close my eyes for that sleep which nature demanded after
two days of fatigue with little intermediate rest. But finding that _
the light still remained, I turned my head towards it, and, to my
double mortification, beheld the meester lying very quietly, with a
short crooked German pipe hanging from one corner of his mouth,
while from the other, arose clouds of smoke rapidly following each
other, till the room was filled with the fume of tobacco, and myself
almost suffocated. 7

At length when that pipe was finished, I had some little respite,
but it was only while he was occupied in filling it again. In this
interval, finding that I was not asleep, a circumstance not much to
be wondered at, he began to relate to me some of his adventures in
foreign parts; and these reminiscences afforded him so much satis-
faction, that he allowed himself to talk and smoke in alternate fits,
so that the second pipe, unfortunately, lasted twice as long as the
first. But, as it would ill become a guest so hospitably received, to
interrupt his entertainers’ enjoyments, I endured it all with perfect
patience till the last; though, at an hour when most mortals desire
to be ‘ lulled into sweet oblivion,’ his candle, his pipe, and his con-
versation, kept three of my senses in a state of continued irritation.

By degrees the smoking became fainter; the anecdotes of
Malacca, Batavia, and Moccha, were at length all exhausted; he
stretched forth his arm to put out the candle; and bade me Good-
night. But the long-wished-for hour of sleep was not yet come;
and it now fell to his turn to be annoyed. Scarcely had we begun
to doze, when repeated claps of the most violent thunder, roused
us again; and flashes of lightning glaring through the window, gave
us opportunities of beholding each other once more.

In a few minutes after this, the sound of the rain out of doors,
pouring down in torrents, made me, notwithstanding the tobacco
smoke, consider myself fortunate in being at such a time under the

1812. THE MEESTER’S MISFORTUNES. — KLEINE TAFELBERG. 117

shelter of a roof. Presently, I heard the meester start up, and, with
furious rattling, begin dragging his bed, with the frame which sup-
ported it, from one side of the room to the other. He cried out,
in a mixed tone of lamentation and surprize, that the rain was
running down upon him in a stream, from the groot gat in het dak ;
and truly enough; for on looking upwards, I saw, what I had not
noticed before, a ‘ great hole in the roof,’ just above the place
whence he had so long been issuing his fumigations, and his anecdotes
of Malacca, Batavia, and Moccha. When I saw this, I began to
regret that the storm had not commenced an hour or two sooner.
Yet it would have been ungenerous, not to have condoled with him
for having to sleep in a wet bed; as he had given himself the
trouble of telling his adventures, purely from a wish to amuse me.

20th. These misfortunes consumed the greater part of the night ;
and the next morning was little better suited to cheer us. The rain
had never ceased since it first began, and there was little appearance
of our having any sunshine during the day. The clouds hung so
low that the surrounding mountains were hidden from our sight; and
the ground was every where deluged with streams of rain water,
supplied by the torrents, which were seen at a distance rushing down
the foot of the mountains.

Our breakfast consisted of coffee, the usual beverage at this
meal ; after which I was compelled by the rain, to remain in the house
more than three hours ; the good lady of the house at the same time,
and the meester, assuring me that they had known it to rain there with
little intermission for a fortnight, before they had any return of fair
weather ; and that a four or five days’ rain was not unusual. But
fortunately this was not the case at present ; and as soon as it cleared
up, I walked out to take a view of the place, while my men were
packing the oxen. The clouds had risen above the mountains, and
now gave me an opportunity of making a sketch of the house, and of a
hill which was very remarkable on account of its great resemblance
to the Table Mountain at Cape Town.* The colonists have dis-

* A view of Kleine Tafelberg and Vermeulen’s dwelling, is given in the engraving at
the head of the sixth chapter. The distant mountains on the right, are a part of Sneeuwberg.

118 COLONIAL HORTICULTURE. — SEA-COW RIVER. 20 Marcu,

tinguished it by the name of Kleine Tafelberg (Little Table-Moun-
tain): it appeared to be about a mile and a half distant from the
farm-house ; and had the pleasing effect of inducing me, for some
moments, to fancy that I was standing in the vicinity of that town.

In front of the house, there was a small garden: I saw growing
in it, maize, dakka, cabbages, pumpkins, lettuces, cucumbers, and
tobacco; but the latter had been stripped of all its leaves, and utterly
destroyed by the hail which had fallen yesterday. Wheat and
barley are grown on this farm in smail quantities; but the climate
has been found too cold to ripen grapes; and from the same cause
their peach-trees appeared to be in a very unthriving state. In the
month of April, they usually expect frost sufficiently severe to kill
all their garden-crops; but it must be confessed, that in general the
boors take very little pains with their gardens, and, from either
ignorance, or slovenliness, are very bad gardeners. ‘The productive
ness of the Colony, or its aptitude for horticulture and agriculture,
cannot therefore be fairly estimated from such specimens of cultiva-
tion as are commonly seen in travelling through it.

It was nearly two o’clock before all were ready for departing.
At taking leave, Juffroww (Mrs.) Vermeulen, who could not be per-
suaded to accept any remuneration for what we had eaten at her
house, repeated her invitation for us to stop there on our return. It
was not more on my own account, than for the character of the
colonists, that I rejoiced at having, under her roof, met with a treat-
ment which served to do away the unfavorable impressions received
at the dwelling of Jacob Van Wyk.

So unusual a quantity of rain had fallen averiwe the last twenty-
four hours, that many parts of our road were covered with water, and
but just passable.

About eleven miles and a half, brought us to the highest, and
principal, branch of the Zeekoe rivier, (Sea-cow, or Hippopotamus,
river,) which we attempted to ford, but found it too much swollen to
be passed without danger. Just at this place, was the residence of a
colonist of the name of NMieukerk, who, as we were endeavouring to
cross the river, came out ; and, perceiving that it could not be done

1812. THE CAFFRE WAR.—COLONIAL MILITIA. — COMMANDO. 119

without risk, invited me to stop the night at his house, as the waters,
he said, would probably have sufficiently subsided before the next
day. I therefore proceeded no farther; but accepted the invitation
and entered his friendly cottage ; while our baggage was unloaded at
a small straw hut in which my men were lodged.

All the buildings were of the most miserable description, and
very little superior to that of which a representation has been given
in the first volume.* The hut which was on this occasion, appro-
priated to my Hottentots, could not, strictly, be called a shelter, as
the rain in the night, ran through the roof upon them. Yet still we
experienced hospitality, and the evening passed in a manner which
was far from unpleasant.

Nieukerk was just returned from the commando, as the farmers
term every expedition of a military nature; where he had been three
months on duty; and gave us some account of the Caffre war, the
object of which, was to drive the Caffres out of the Zuureveld, a
district formerly purchased, or taken from them, by the Dutch; but
which they afterwards invaded, and had kept possession of for some
years, and obliged the white inhabitants to take refuge in the older
districts of the colony. This warfare had been going on, already
four months, and was not likely scon to terminate; for although
possession of the country had been regained by the Cape troops aided
by the militia of boors, it was found necessary to keep these troops
constantly stationed on the frontier, to confine the enemy within
their own territory; but who nevertheless kept the soldiery and
farmers always on the alert to prevent their predatory incursions into
the colony.

This militia, or commando, consists of boors drawn from the
different districts of the Colony, by the immediate requisition of their
proper veldcornets, who, on such occasions, call out the inhabitants,
not by lot, but by routine. The men so called out, repair to the
rendezvous, generally mounted on horseback and armed with a
musket of their own; and most frequently attended by one of their

* At page 238.

120 MURDER OF LANDDROST STOCKENSTROM, 20 Marcu,

Hottentot servants. They wear no uniform, but are divided into
squadrons, under the command of a veldcommandant, who is also a
boor, nominated by the government, and who at all times retains that
title, and with it, a rank superior to that of veldcornet. ‘This militia
is never called into service, but in cases of necessity ; and if the duty
should appear likely to continue for a considerable length of time, as
in the present case, they are allowed, after serving a certain period,
to return to their homes; and are replaced by others called out by
the same authorities.

I now heard a confirmation of the lamentable news respecting
Mr. Stockenstrom the late landdrost of Graaffreynet, a man so much
esteemed and respected, and so peculiarly well fitted for the station
he held, that his death was considered as a loss to the Colony. The
circumstances which I afterwards learnt more fully, were, that being
under the necessity of conferring with the commander of the troops
stationed in the Zuureveld, he went escorted by a cavalry party of
twenty-two Burghers (or Citizens; as the Dutch colonists are fre-
quently termed) and their attendant Hottentots. Desirous of going
by a shorter road, he ventured, contrary to the advice of the boors,
through a part of the country from which the Caffres were, at that
time, not completely expelled. He had no hesitation in taking this
step, because, having on all occasions before the breaking out of the
war, behaved with the greatest kindness towards that nation, he
would not believe it possible that they could illtreat one who had
been so much their friend. But unfortunately, it happened that a
chief who had not been one of those who had shared his liberality,
was in that neighbourhood, and heard from his spies that the land-
drost was passing. This chief hastily collected a body of men, and
sent them off with orders to destroy the whole of the party. When
the Caffres met them, they accosted the colonists in an amicable
manner; and the landdrost, as he had often done before, made them
presents of tobacco, accompanied with friendly advice, to them and
to their whole nation, to retire quietly out of the Zuureveld, that the
soldiers might not be under the necessity of shooting them. They
continued a short time longer in conversation ; but at last perceiving

1812. AND TEN COLONISTS. 121

them growing insolent, and thinking it unsafe to remain amongst
them, he was preparing to mount his horse; when they treacherously
seized the opportunity and, at the moment of turning his back,
pierced him mortally with their hassagays. At this signal, the
burghers were surrounded, and ten of them killed on the spot: the
rest escaped, only by being on horseback ; though several were deeply
wounded. On this occasion, the savages displayed a degree of bar-
barity which had not hitherto been supposed to belong to their
character, but which their own mistaken notions respecting warfare,
rendered perhaps praiseworthy or, at least, not dishonourable.

At this period, as Nieukerk informed me, the war had cost the lives
of not more than thirteen Burghers, exclusively of soldiers and Hotten-
tots ; while the Caffres had lost two hundred of their number, before
the former could dislodge them from the woods of that district: and,
as they still ventured to make incursions, from time to time, many
more of these tribes were shot.

I had much reason, in common with the Colony, to lament the
death of the /anddrost; whose character was, besides, an assurance that I
should meet with every liberal assistance in obtaining the object of my

journey to Graaffreynet. No other had yet been appointed in his
place: the duties of the office, therefore, were fulfilled by one of the
Heemraaden, of the name of Maré.

The inmates of Nieukerk’s cottage, besides himself and his wife,
were, his two brothers, and his wife’s father and mother. The two
last were far advanced in years, and complained much of the coldness
of the climate of Sneeuwberg (Sneeberg), to which they were not
yet inured, having resided here not more than two months; before
which, they had lived in the Boschjesveld, a warm and dry country.
Every one, in fact, seemed to be troubled with a cough; and as they
were but new-comers, they found these highlands unpleasantly chilly.
They all wore their hats within doors; but the effects of early habits
and of a natural pleasure which I felt in showing respect to honest
men, though tenants of the meanest cottage, always prompted me, on
entering such a dwelling, to testify that respect by the same forms

VOL. II. R

122 A COLONIAL CUSTOM. 20, 21 Marcu,

which good-breeding pays as readily to the inferior as to the equal.
This however the good old father-in-law would not allow, and though
the feebleness of seventy, might have excused his moving, he rose
from his chair, and fetching my hat, put it on my head, saying, he
feared that I should take cold in the same manner as they themselves
had done. ;

After tea, I was required in my turn, to tell the wonders of the
Bushmen’s country. My account of the treatment which I had
received amongst the savages, did not fail to interest and surprise
them. The old people, to whom more particularly, anecdotes of
Bushmen were subjects of a novel kind, listened with the greatest
attention ; and would have forgotten the hour of the night, if supper
had not put an end to the conversation, and brought me a respite:
for at last, the onus loquendi rested entirely upon myself. Both before
and after supper, a pretty long grace was said, or rather sung, by one
of the younger branches of the family.

I now for the first time, had an opportunity of witnessing the old
colonial custom, of washing feet after supper. A maid-servant carried
round to each member of the family in turn, according to age, a small
tub of water, in which all washed in the same water. It must be
regarded as a proof of their good sense, that they showed respect to
the habits of a foreigner, by not pressing me to join in this ceremony :
the tub was merely offered to me, and then passed on. But this
custom is, I believe, gradually wearing away, throughout the colony.
Its utility was more evident in former times, when the colonists went
without stockings, as indeed many do at the present time; but since
the country has become so much richer, that almost every person can
afford to clothe himself more completely, this practice is falling into
disuse.

The whole house formed but a single room; and in this a large
fireplace atone end served for kitchen, where slaves, and some Hottentot
maids, sat within the chimney, cooking both for the company and for
themselves. At the other end a screen of mats parted off a bed-room
for the female part of the family ; while a few blankets spread upon

1812. APPROACH TO SNEEUWBERG. 123

a row of mats on the floor, between the supper table and the fire,
formed the only sleeping-place for the two young men, and for any
casual visitors.

Here I was first informed that in the buiten districten (out-districts,
or those far from the Cape) it is the general custom, to sleep without
undressing, the coat excepted: but this custom has, I believe, many
exceptions ; especially at those houses where some degree of affluence
enables the owners to furnish them more perfectly in the European
style. Where there is nothing better to rest on, than a mat upon the
floor, the practice may not be quite unreasonable; but in any case, it
is not favorable either to personal cleanliness, or to health.

21st. In front of this house, and commencing immediately on
the opposite side of the river, the mountains of Sneewwberg (Sneeberg)
stand full in view, and present a grand and interesting landscape ;
and which I was tempted to add to the number of my sketches.

On making an attempt to cross the river early in the morning,
its waters were found to have risen even higher than they were on
the day before ; but by eleven in the forenoon, they had run off suf-
ficiently to admit of our fording. In doing this, we were indebted to
Nieukerk and his brothers, for pointing out the shallowest part ; and
as soon as we were safely through, we were saluted by the whole
family, who stood on the opposite bank, with Goede reis, (A good
journey to you.)

Along the right bank of the Zeekoe river, I observed a road
much frequented, which led to the northernmost limits of the colony,
and, as I was informed, to the southern banks of the Nugariep,
whither the boors often go for the purpose of cutting timber. The mat-
rush * grows here in abundance; but not a tree was any where to be
seen: with this rush, all the houses in these parts of the Colony, are
thatched. The country was mountainous on all sides. We kept
gradually ascending, after having, at the distance of about four miles
from Nieukerk’s, recrossed the Seacow river, which takes its rise
amidst the high mountains on our left, and after flowing along the

* Of the sort called Hard matjes-goederen: the Scirpus tegetalis, Vol. I. p. 263.
RZ

194 ASCENDING THE SNOW-MOUNTAINS. 21 Marcu,

foot of Kleine Tafelberg, runs northward inclining to the east, and,
passing by Plettenberg’s Baaken, takes a more easterly course, as |
was informed, and finally joins the Nugariep. A contrariety in the
accounts which had been given me, of its course below the Baaken,
leaves me in doubt whether, in laying it down on the map, I have
adopted the true direction, or not.

At about eight miles and a half from Nieukerk’s we passed the
next farm-house, the residence of a colonist of the name of Coenraad
Herholdt, where a garden with poplars, pine trees, willows, roses, and
peach trees, presented in these wild highlands, a solitary glimpse of
cultivation.

Beyond this, the road begins to ascend more rapidly, and enters
the cold elevated region of Sneeuwberg proper. As we approached
it, the air felt very sensibly colder ; the grass became more plentiful
in the valleys ; and nothing presented itself in the prospect around
us, but rocky mountains, the summits of which were enveloped in
misty clouds. The unsettled state of the weather, assisted in strength-
ening the character of frowning grandeur which belongs to this scene.
The rude and bold features of the wild landscape, and the sublimity
of nature, were unmingled with any trace of human works; and the
beaten track under our feet, was the only mark which could inform
the traveller that these rugged valleys had ever been frequented ; or
that the abode of man was to be found in a region apparently so
deserted and solitary. I halted, to make some sketches, but my
fingers were so much benumbed with the coldness of the misty vapor,
that I succeeded with difficulty. In less than two hours after passing
Herholdt’s, we gained the most elevated point in the road over the
Snow Mountains. Here the declivities and valleys were covered with
abundance of thick grass of a growth equally fine with that which
we call ‘ sheep’s fescue-grass.’* The road continued at this great
elevation ; and we travelled for more than three quarters of an hour,
before there was any considerable descent.

On our left we sometimes caught sight, between the mountains, of
an immense and lofty peak, the highest point of Sneeuwberg. This is

* Festuca ovina, Linn.

1812. SPITSKOP, THE HIGHEST POINT OF THE COLONY. 125

called by the colonists, Spitskop * (The Peak) on account of its
remarkably pointed form, by which it is distinguished at a great
distance over-all the surrounding country, as much as by its superior
height. It has been in later years, very unnecessarily re-named Com-
pasberg.

That this is the most elevated part of the Cape Colony, there
can, I think, be no doubt, if in addition to the peculiar and constant
coldness of its climate, we deduce an argument from the circumstance
of the different streams which proceed from it, taking their course in
opposite directions: those on the northern side, flowing through the
Seacow, and Gariep, rivers, to the western coast of the continent ;
while those on the southern and eastern, carry their waters to the
eastern sea.

The first step in our descent from this chilly region, brought us to
a fine grassy flat, covered with, what is the greatest rarity in Southern
Africa, a real turf or sod, though in many places abounding in the
mat-rush. Since quitting the Hex river, every stream which we had
crossed, flowed towards the west; but at this spot, in a ravine on our
right, we found a rivulet taking an opposite course ; this may be con-
sidered as the highest source of the Sunday river.

A keen chilling mist, or rather a misty rain, now enveloped us ;
and my whole party complained of being extremely cold. I there-
fore resolved on taking up our night’s station. by the river, at the
first spot where fire-wood could be procured; as we were all utter
strangers to the country, and knew not whether by going forward, we
should come to a better, or a worse, place. Wood however was, in
this instance fortunately, so scarce that we were kept advancing, till,
through the mist, we discovered a house before us, just at a time
when evening began to approach. It was the dwelling of Piet Van der
Merwe; who very readily, and with marked kindness, received us
under his roof. My men, together with my young Bushman protegé,
were comfortably lodged in the ‘ corn-house ;’ while I myself was

* See the vignette at the end of the sixth chapter; and the note appended to the 5th
of May.

126 HOSPITALITY AT PIET VAN DER MERWE'’S. 21, 22 Marcu,

hospitably entertained in the house with the family ; who considered
themselves well repaid for their trouble by the information which
they obtained respecting the Bushmen. They also, in return, com-
municated some information ; that those tribes who inhabit the banks
of the Nugariep, or Groote river, as they here called it, were consi-
dered so extremely savage, that the boors had never yet been able to
bring about any friendly communication with them.

The name of Van der Merwe is one of the most common in
the Cape Colony. In cases where several of the same baptismal,
and surname occur, it is customary, in noticing them in writing,
as well as when they sign their own name, to add the Chris-
tian name of their father, either at full length, as in the form,
for example, of Jacobsz or Jacobszoon; or by the initials only, as
Jz; a practice analogous to that by which, probably, we have
obtained such names as Richards or Richardson, Johnson, Jack-
son, &c. But among neighbours, colonists of the same name are
distinguished in a more familiar way, either by the place of
their abode, or by some other circumstance. ‘Thus my hospitable
host was known to the boors around, by the appellation of Piet Dik-
wang (‘Thick-cheek,) on account of a swelling, or wen, upon his cheek.

Most of the family seemed to be troubled with slight coughs, the
same as I had observed at Nieukerks ; occasioned perhaps, by the
fogey state of the weather. A cough appeared the more remarkable,
as it was an ailment of very rare occurrence in the countries of the
former part of my travels. But it is not to be pronounced a prevailing,
or a common, complaint in the Snow Mountains, since I did not
afterwards find it to be general; yet, it is more than probable, that
the misty cold atmosphere of Snéeberg proper, renders its inhabitants .
very liable to be attacked by similar affections of the lungs.

The rhinoceros-bush grows abundantly on different parts of these
mountains, and was the only fuel which I saw used at this house;
other firewood being exceedingly scarce. The rhinoceros, as my host
informed me, and as my own experience afterwards confirmed, is now
nearly expelled from the Colony; it being very rarely to be seen
within the boundary: and hippopotami, formerly so numerous in the

1812. A MESSENGER FROM THE FIELDCORNET. 127

Zeekoe river, are no longer, unless accidentally, to be found there; but
have all retreated to the Black River or Nugariep, where they may,
for the present at least, live more undisturbed.

Van der Merwe had learnt from the observations of many years,
that at this place, a southeasterly wind, such as we had at this time,
almost always brings with it rain. In the winter, long icicles hang
from the thatch of his cottage, and the water is covered with a thick
ice. At that season the cattle, he asserted, would perish with cold,
if they were not all removed to a warmer farm, or Jeg-plaats.

22nd. The air was exceedingly cold, and a misty rain continued
to fall during the whole of the day. I became every hour more
anxious to reach Graaffreynet, and therefore, as there was little
prospect of gaining better weather by waiting till the afternoon, |
determined to depart ; not more, for the purpose of getting forward
on our journey, than of descending from this cold region, into some
warmer tract.

Just as I was on the point of mounting my horse, a man arrived
from a neighbouring veldcornet who had received intelligence of a
party of strange armed men having entered the Colony. This man
had orders to discover, who we were, and what were our intentions.
I briefly informed him, that we had none but peaceable intentions,
and that I was on my way to the landdrost. This messenger, who by
his manners and tone of voice, seemed to think that he was now
employed on a very serious affair, preferred the information of Van der
Merwe on the subject, to the suspicious stranger’s own account of
himself... After a few minutes’ questioning, he rode off, well satisfied
that the business turned out no worse: for it appeared that some
alarm had been excited by the fact of people having come into
the Colony, in a quarter where no arrival of the kind had ever been
known before.

At taking leave, Van der Merwe gave us a warm invitation to
make his house a resting-place on our way back. A near prospect of
the termination of our present journey, put all my Hottentots in good
spirits, and enabled them to set out without feeling disheartened at
the weather which they saw we should have to encounter.

128 SUFFERINGS OF THE PARTY 22 Marcu,

All were now wrapped up in every piece of clothing they pos-
sessed ; and Ruiter had so tied himself up in skins of various sorts and
colors, sheep-skins, leopard-skins, and goat-skins, that he looked
more like an automaton pile of furs, than a man. The rain and
mist became colder as we advanced ; or rather, we felt it more keenly
in proportion as we lost the warmth which we had acquired by the fire-
side. ‘The mist penetrated, where the rain could not; and every thing
was either wet, or damp. The cold grew more piercing, and my
people, more silent and dejected. I endeavoured to keep up their
spirits, by assuring them that as soon as we should descend the moun-
tain, we should find fair and warm weather: for we were then among
the clouds ; or rather, the clouds had sunk upon us. Yet, though
much chilled and benumbed, I did not myself suffer so much as
my Klaarwater Hottentots: they had long been accustomed only to —
the warm climate of the Transgariepine; and three of them were,
besides, advanced in years, and one of these much enfeebled by age.
Speelman and Philip, who, like myself, had been somewhat hardened
by constant exposure to every kind of weather, and being, excepting
myself, the youngest of the party, were the least of all affected by
the cold. The sheep, of which we had only two remaining, and the
dogs, began todroop. Still, the hope of soon descending to a lower
level, gave us courage to go forward.

In this state we had been travelling about two hours and a half,
when Philip, as I was riding in advance, hastily came on to tell me
that the people were unable to proceed any farther, and that they
were of opinion that the Bushboy was dying. When I returned,
they all declared that they could endure the cold no longer.
Old Cobus Berends’s countenance was so much changed, and in so
weak: a voice he told me that the cold had seized his heart, that I
really believed, considering his age, that he was struck with death.
I had never before thought myself in so serious a situation: the poor
little Bushboy who, excepting his kaross, was nearly naked, had seated
himself down by the road-side. When I went to him, I found him
affected to so alarming a degree, that he had no power: either to
move or to speak, and his face had assumed that peculiar yellowness

1812. FROM COLD WEATHER. 129

which, among blacks, is the visible symptom of, either approaching
dissolution, or the decay of energy in the vital functions.

The most distressing reflections crowded on my mind. It ap-
peared that the hand of death lay already upon him. What was I
to tell the father at my return! That he had died of cold? This
would not have been believed. I should have been accused of
being the cause of his death; or of having left him in captivity
under some of the boors. My return through the Bushmen’s
country would be impracticable. Kaabi, and the whole tribe, would
have considered me no longer as their friend; but as one who had
treacherously deceived them and betrayed the confidence of a father.
The whole plan of my travels was deranged. I could not rejoin my
waggons but by making a circuit by the Sack river again, and waiting
for some favorable opportunity of crossing the Cisgariepine. These
sad forebodings rushed upon me, and entirely occupied my mind:
they made me forget my own personal feelings, and that every one
of my men was now suffering from the severity of the weather.

We had therefore no alternative but to halt, although in an
exposed open place without a tree, or scarcely a bush, that could
afford us shelter. While those who were able to move, were un-
loading the oxen, two others went in search of firewood. This spot
I have distinguished cn the map, by the name of Cold Station; a
name which, at this time, was more applicable to it, than to any
other station in the whole of my travels.

On account of the rain which continued falling, and the wetness
of our fuel, we found the greatest difficulty in kindling a fire; but
the people took care afterwards to supply it with large quantities of
wood, so that for some hours, it continued to burn in spite of the
mist and rain.

My first concern was to bring the Bushboy to life; for he had
no other appearance than that of a dying person. We placed him
by the fire, and | wrapped him up in one of my own blankets: but
he remained for half an hour completely speechless, and nearly
unable to move. He took no notice either of the fire, or of any

VOC, s

130 THE BUSHBOY RESTORED TO LIFE. 22, 23 Marcu,

thing around him; and Philip and Speelman repeatedly gave their
opinion, that he would never speak again.

I saw that it was necessary to restore the activity of the al
functions, which the cold seemed to have nearly stopped: I was re-
eretting that we had nothing of a stimulating quality to give him,
when the recollection of having a bottle of volatile alkali, gave me
some hopes. I immediately prepared in water, as much as half a
teacup-ful, of as great a strength as could safely be administered.

It would appear by the use which I made of it, that I regarded
this medicine as my panacea; for I gave a dose to the three old men ;
and the rest had so much confidence in it, that they were desirous
of taking some also; but as I thought they could be restored without
its aid, I judged it more prudent to reserve it for those who might
have the misfortune to be bitten by serpents. Ruiter suffered almost
as much as the boy ; and was also speechless: but the warmth of the
fire at last re-animated him. Hans [ucas’s appearance was most
miserable, and Berends’s countenance was equally sad; but our Bush-
man Nieuwveld bore the cold much better than his countryman.

At length the boy was enabled to move his limbs ; he crept nearer
to the fire, and in a little time afterwards recovered his speech enough
to tell me that the medicine had done him much good. After nursing
him for about two hours, I rejoiced to find him sufficiently restored to
be able to eat; and in order to fortify him against the night, I desired
him to eat a large quantity of food ; a request which is never unseason-
able to a Bushman. Cobus, and the rest, revived by degrees ; but all
the party sat over the fire very melancholy and dejected.

The rain now had ceased for a short time, and the men took the
opportunity to cook their dinner, or rather, supper. The apathy or
forgetfulness of Hottentots, was here well exemplified’: they had taken
their own meal, without ever once thinking of their master, who, in
the mean while, had been too much engaged in attending the boy,
to think of himself: But being reminded by hunger, I ordered
Philip to broil a piece of meat, while I sought for a place where
I could pass the night: for it was then evening; the clouds had

1812. HOTTENTOT APATHY.— SLEEPING IN THE RAIN. 131

again sunk upon us; and a violent and heavy rain, which ceased not
during the whole night, had just commenced. At a little distance
from my men, I prepared a spot, by forming a layer of bushes
to keep my baggage and bedding from the ground which, being on
a declivity, was deluged with streams of water. As it would have
been folly to spread out my bed in such a situation, I seated myself
upon my baggage, and held the umbrella over me. I waited for
nearly an hour, expecting supper; but nothing was brought. I at
length rose, and on going to the fire, found it extinguished, and all
my people wrapped up in their karosses, for the night. My cook,
with true Hottentot sang-froid, informed me that the water, which
ran down from the higher ground, together with the rain, had washed
away the fire, before the meat was half broiled. So that, finding
this, he had put the chop intended for me, upon the bush, and laid
down to sleep, without thinking it necessary to put me out of
suspense, or to let me know that | was to have no supper that evening.

I therefore resumed my seat upon the layer of bushes, and covered
myself up with my watch-coat. In this situation I passed a miserable
night; with a cold rain pouring down from above, and torrents of
water running under me. I sometimes fell asleep, but. my feet being
seized with cramp, I soon awoke again, and had sufficient reason for
rejoicing at the return of daylight.

23rd. The rain had ceased, but was now succeeded by the same
drizzling mist as before ; yet I had the consolation of finding all my
people able to bear another day’s travelling, and the boy not only
alive, but recovered. .

That a Bushman could suffer so much from the inclemencies of
the weather, was a case which I had never expected; nor do I think
it one which occurs often. This poor little fellow was young and
extremely slender, and at the same time, almost naked ; circumstances
which might well render him obnoxious to a degree of cold which
perhaps, to be estimated correctly, should be considered as extremely
severe and uncommon in this part of the globe. I could not but
admire the fortitude with which he bore his sufferings: he never com-
plained; but continued without a murmur, patiently walking on, till

s 2

132 * WANT OF VERACITY. 23 Marcu,

inability to move his limbs prevented his proceeding farther ; and
then, he merely said to the Hottentots, that he was very cold.

Early in the morning, two boors on horseback, attended by two
Hottentot achter-ryders, or according to colonial pronunciation, achter-
ryers, (after-riders,) passing by, halted for about ten minutes, and as
usual, made inquiries, whence we came and whither we were going.
These men, as | was afterwards informed by the landdrost, were then
going to Graaffreynet for the purpose of reporting to him our numbers
and of explaining who we were. One of them was the veldcornet : their
manners led me to suspect this; and I asked if either was the veld-
cornet, but they replied, No; and to my question, whether they were
going to Graaffreynet, they gave the same answer. The Hottentots,
who knew the tricks of the boors in such cases, better than I did,
were of opinion that the cause of their telling so unqualified a false-
hood, was the fear of my putting the veldcornet in requisition
for some assistance; as he had been informed by the messenger he
sent to Van der Merwe’s, that I had that privilege. They asked
if we were not afraid to venture in so defenceless a manner through
the Boschmans-land ;— at this moment, I could not help turning
my eyes from them to poor little Magerman, and wondering that
men of such gigantic stature, should not feel ashamed to confess
that so diminutive a race of savages could inspire them with personal
fear.

These achter-ryders are servants intended both for outward show
and for use, and correspond in this twofold nature of their duty, to
many of our English grooms. A colonist generally takes with him
a Hottentot of this description, when he undertakes a journey to
any considerable distance from home: and near the borders, such
an attendant is far from useless, as he ensures to him some additional
safety.

Soon after we left Cold Station, we descended below the clouds
and mist, into a drier region; where, had we been better acquainted
with the country and my men had been able to travel farther yester-
day, we might have passed the night in a less wretched situation.

The country was very mountainous though in some places we

Sait ig sf om Wf. udp buipuoor
a oA y,

‘bey peppy MG pou bamup prabiig og wep pasner 3 pewebiy

1812. DESCENT FROM THE SNOW-MOUNTAINS. 133

found intermediate spaces of level ground. At the distance of about
five miles from Cold Station we crossed a branch of the Garst (Barley)
river, which was at this time so full, as to be but barely fordable ;
and a mile farther we passed a house and farm belonging also to Piet
Van der Merwe, and which he had mentioned to us as a place where
we might take up our quarters. From this house, till we quitted the
Sneeuwbergen, the hills resume the tabular form so common in
the Cisgariepine ; and many, which were both large and lofty, suc-
ceeded each other, with intervening levels of various extent. The
country of the Sneeuwbergen, may be described as a very elevated
region, level in many parts, but almost every where thickly studded
with high rocky mountains.

After this, we travelled between four and five hours longer,
without halting; and were rejoiced at finding ourselves arrived at the
top of the descent from the Snow Mountains. The prospect was
exceedingly fine, as wild and rocky scenery. Lofty mountains
in the distance seemed to close the view before us, but the road,
after descending into the valley, leads round on the right, into the
extensive plains which lie between the Sneeuwbergen and Graaff-
reynet. This view, and the appearance of our party, are represented
in the second plate.

The descent was very steep, and the road in some places broken
and dangerous. Here we found trees of a larger size than we had seen
for some time; and the deep glens and bold sides of the mountain,
were rendered verdant by an abundance of large bushes of spekboom
(fat-tree*,) and were well covered with wood of rich and beautiful
foliage. Amongst these were many which I had no where met with
before, but which, at this time, I had no opportunity of collecting.

* Portulacaria Afra.

+ Of these, I noted in passing,

Grewia robusta, B. Catal. Geogr. 2845. Ramuli robusti rigidi. Folia parva ovata
obtusa crenulata subtus tomentoso-albida. Fructus subhirsutus, sub-tetracoccus. Pedun-
culi solitarii oppositifolii, foliis paulo breviores uni- vel bi-flori. Flores purpurei.

Celastrus linearis, B. Cat. Geog. 2872. Frutex 6—8-pedalis. Folia integerrima
linearia. Spine internodiis duplo longiores rectze horizontales folia proferentes simul cum
cymis sessilibus. Incolis Hollandicis dicitur Pen-doorn ; nomen aliis fruticibus pariter
spinosis commune.

134 _ ARRIVAL AT A DESERTED HUT. E 23, 24 Marcu,

We continued descending for a long time: the sun had already
set, when we reached the foot of the mountain. Here, very oppor-
tunely, we found a deserted hut which, though in a very ruinous state,
we were happy in taking possession of. It consisted only of one
room; part of the roof had been blown off; the floor was covered
with the rubbish of the thatch which had fallen in; and the door and
windows had been taken away. This I considered as placed in my
way by goad-fortune ; as I began to perceive symptoms of a violent
fever; having felt a chill and shivering, even in the sunshine, and
the cold I had taken, having already produced a hoarseness.

A fire was made within the walls, and my blankets, which were
still very damp, were spread in one corner of the hut, upon some
straw which luckily had escaped the rain. I layed myself down im-
mediately and wrapped my driest covering about me, hoping that
this treatment and my former remedy, would, before morning, remove
the fever, as they had done on similar occasions. As soon as enough
embers had been burnt, the men baked in them some bread made
with the flour which I had purchased of Van der Merwe.

24th. In the morning, finding the fever rather increased than
abated, I resolved to try the experiment of a dose of ‘ antimonial
powder,’ and was obliged to keep my bed. The weather was fair, and
the day sunny and pleasant; but I was now, for the first time since
leaving Cape Town, unable to travel. I sent Philip on the horse to
examine if the Zondag (Sunday) river was fordable; and in less than
two hours he came back, and reported that we might pass it with
safety.

Soon after his return, three burghers on horseback, armed with
muskets and well provided with ball and powder, arrived from Graaff-
reynet, which was about ten miles distant, having been sent officially
by the landdrost, for the purpose of ascertaining the truth of the
reports respecting us. They-entered the hut, when my men having
pointed out to them their master lying asleep, I was awakened by
the sound of Dag, which they repeated till I uncovered my head and
returned their salutation. sian!

They began by stating that they were sent by the landdrost to

1812. VISITORS FROM GRAAFFREYNET. 135

make inquiries respecting me and my party, and wished to know
when I should be at the village ; I replied that it was uncertain, but
that it would not be to-day. After some further parley, they became
importunate for me to go to Graaffreynet that day, and said, that
they had orders to bring me to the landdrost. To this I quickly
replied, that I was unwell; and that I neither could, nor would,
remove from that place; that they could have no authority for
disturbing me; and that they might inform the landdrost, that it was
my intention to come to him as soon as I could conveniently. ‘This,
and the tone in which it was spoken, put an end to their impor-
tunities. But I must in justice to these men, admit that the situa-
tion in which they saw me, lying on the ground in the corner of a
roofless hovel, was ill calculated to command much respect.

They then, with a little more civility, requested to be informed
who I was. Their civility obtained for them, far more than their
rudeness would have done; and I gave them to read the government
papers which authorized my travelling without hindrance, and_per-
mitted me to require assistance. This immediately brought about a
revolution in their sentiments and behaviour: they offered to send for
a paarde-wagen* and every necessary accommodation for conveying
me to the village; and a letter was without delay sent off to the
landdrost. I ordered a chop to be broiled for them; and as they
had accomplished their mission, they remained merely to gratify
their curiosity by questioning my men respecting the countries we
had passed through ; and continued sitting at their ease for two hours
afterwards.

Before these visitors had left me, there arrived two others of a
more agreeable kind: I was surprised to see enter my hut, an officer
of the 21st regiment of light dragoons; a regiment which I always
remember with pleasure. It was Mr. Menzies the surgeon of the
regiment, and Mr. Oloff Stockenstrom the younger son of the late
landdrost, who now had the kindness to visit a stranger, personally

* A paarde-wagen is a light waggon drawn by horses, and used more frequently for
the conveyance of persons, than for carrying any other loads: it is in fact the colonists’
carriage of pleasure. — Compare this with the note at page 28. of the first volume,

136 THE CURRENT REPORT. 24, 25 Marcu,

unknown to them both; but report having informed them of the
circumstance of an Englishman having entered the colony in an
unusual manner, they judged it not impossible that it might-be either
Dr. Cowan or Captain Donovan ; and under this persuasion they had
brought with them an army list, that I might be gratified with a
sight, as they supposed, of my own promotion. They sat down
by my bed, and expressed themselves exceedingly shocked at the
fatigue which they concluded I must have suffered, and at the
wretched lodging in which I lay. I felt so much pleasure in thus
unexpectedly meeting with a person with whom I could speak my
own language, that as long as they remained, I never once thought
of my fever. I asked innumerable questions, and inquired for news
of every description.

They afforded me some amusement by relating that, on my
account the whole village of Graaffreynet had been for several days
in a state of alarm. The current report was, that three hundred of
the Klaarwater Hottentots, under the command of a white-man,
were marching to attack the colony, taking advantage of the favor-
able moment when so many boors were absent from their homes and
detained on the commando in the Zuureveld. So greatly had the
inhabitants magnified my little party, and so strongly was the report
believed, that not only constant guard had been kept; but, on ac-
count of my near approach and hourly-expected attack, a number
of persons remained under arms, and the guard and night-watch had
last night actually been doubled. When I explained the circum-
stances of my journey and the object of my visit to Graaffreynet,
Dr. Menzies in a most friendly manner, offered me accommodation
in his quarters during my stay.

They had not long been gone, and I had just wrapped myself
up again, when Philip came to announce the arrival of two other
visitors. They were the acting landdrost and his brother, who,
having at last correctly ascertained who I was, had brought the clergy-
man’s carriage, the only one in the village, to convey me to town.
They expressed themselves, as my preceding visitors had done,
shocked at seeing me ill, and at the miserable abode in which I

1812. EPIDEMIC COMPLAINT. 137

was lodged; but I replied, that had so good a shelter presented
itself the night before, I should not at this time have been so unwell.
They pressed me to quit the place, and were desirous of taking
me to the village, where I should find every necessary refreshment
and attention. I resisted all their kind solicitations, as I felt too
indisposed to be able to move; but promised, if the fever left me
in the night, that I would be at Graaffreynet, on the following day.
With this they took leave: and I once more covered myself up with
my blankets.

Towards evening, the fever and hoarseness increased, and with
the addition of a violent head ache, prevented all sleep. I endeavoured
in various ways to excite perspiration ; but without success.

25th. In the morning, however, my remedies had their full
effect, and greatly relieved my pain. I have described my illness
more particularly than I should otherwise have done, because it was,
as I afterwards learnt, a species of ‘influenza’ which had pervaded the
whole Colony. ew escaped its attack; and I was told that in Cape
Town alone, six thousand persons had been seized with it ; although
comparatively. few had died. A similar complaint was not known to
have ever visited the settlement before. This epidemic, after passing
over the whole Colony, for I never could hear of any symptoms
beyond the boundary, was now on the decline, or supposed to have
expended itself; but the air was not yet cleared from its pestilential
quality, and we, unfortunately, arrived just in time to prove, that
it had ceased, only because it found no more subjects to act upon.

I was still in bed when the landdrost returned: he was accom-
panied by Mr. Kicherer, the clergyman of Graaffreynet, who having
heard that I had letters for him from the missionaries at Klaar-
water, came for the purpose of inviting me to take up my abode at
his house during my stay. As soon as I was dressed, I left the
miserable, but most serviceable, hut; and was persuaded in a very
friendly manner, to accept his invitation.

After leaving directions with my people to follow in the after-
noon, I entered the carriage and we drove from a spot which, for
some moments during my illness, I thought it possible I might never
quit again.

VOL, II. T

138 A NEW ROAD OPENED TO GRAAFFREYNET. 25 Marcu, 1812.

Before we reached the town, we were obliged to cross the
Sunday river three times: its greatest depth was, at this time, about
three feet.

The missionary’s letter began by stating, that they had endea-
voured to dissuade me from the attempt to cross the Bushman country ;
and that, although they had thus written letters, they had little ex-
pectation of their ever reaching their destination. Mr. Kicherer, before
he was appointed minister of this place, had spent several years as
missionary among the Hottentots and Bushmen. For the latter people,
he opened a mission at the Zak river ; and when that failed, he ac-
companied those Hottentots who, it has been stated, (vol. I. p. 361.)
were living an unsettled life on the banks of the Gariep, and per-
suaded them to remain stationary at Aakaap, whence they finally
removed to Klaarwater. He was therefore well acquainted with the
nature of that settlement ; and expressed surprise at the fact of the
missionaries there, not having been able to render me assistance in
hiring the required number of Hottentots; and wondered at their
making objections to my opening a road to Graaffreynet, which he
considered as an important discovery, and highly advantageous for
the missionaries themselves.

CHAPTER V.

TRANSACTIONS AT GRAAFFREYNET.

Berore noon we entered Graaffreynét ; where I was introduced by
Mr. Kicherer to his family and friends, as the person on whose ac-
count they had suffered so much alarm. The news of my having
arrived in peace, soon spread through the village; and when busy
report had reduced my dreaded party of three hundred, back again
to eight, and had changed the expected hostile attack, into a friendly
visit, all further apprehensions ceased, and the folly of the mistake,
became a source of considerable amusement.

The landdrost who, I was afterwards informed, was at first so much
alarmed as to give orders for guarding all avenues to the village, told
me that he had received a correct report of the number of my men,
but could get no one to believe that it was so small; and that it
was found difficult to quiet the fears of the inhabitants, who magnified
their danger to a distressing, though ridiculous, degree.

The affair, which had cost me so long and fatiguing a journey,
being to myself of more importance than every other object, I lost

T 2

140 THE ACTING-LANDDROST. 25,26 Marcu,

no time in conferring with the acting-landdrost, on the readiest mode
of hiring the number of Hottentots required. He called upon me
in the evening, for this purpose, and stated that he was unable to
point out where any such men could be found ; that he knew of none
who were at this time out of service ; that this scarcity was in great
part, occasioned by the commando against the Caffres, the demands
for which, had drained all the neighbouring districts; and that he
had himself no power in this case, because, being merely an acting-
landdrost until the regular appointment of another, he felt unwilling
to proceed without the instructions and authority of the commandant
of the troops on the frontier, who happened to be the same Colonel
Graham, from whose regiment I had obtained my Hottentot Philip.
It was therefore agreed, that he should write on the morrow to ex-
plain the affair to the commandant, and solicit his assistance, and an
early answer.

On the death of the late landdrost, the duties of the office
devolved in the interim, according to established custom, upon one
of the Heemraaden: and this now fell to the lot of Mr. Paul Maré,
a respectable burgher and shopkeeper of the village. This situ-
ation of affairs was, therefore, not the best suited to my visit,
and appeared likely to detain me longer at Graaffreynet, than
I had calculated, on the supposition of finding that office held by
Mr. Stockenstrom. I felt much disappointed at hearing it stated by
the landdrost, that he had not this power ; as, whatever might have
been the reasons which induced him to think so, I myself at the
same time believed that he was fully competent to give me the assist-
ahce I required, and was afterwards convinced that my opinion was
right.

My men did not arrive till the dusk of the evening, but
the little Bushman was not with them. He had remained in the hut till
the moment of their coming away; when he had taken an oppor-
tunity of slipping off unperceived by any one. They waited a long
while searching for him in every direction; but could discover no
traces; and therefore concluded that his absence was intentional, and
that he meant to return to his kraa]l. We remarked that he had ap-
peared very contented with us, as long as we were alone; but when

1812. LITTLE MAGERMAN ABSCONDS. — HOSPITALITY. 141

so many strangers with their carriages and attendants continued
visiting my hut, yesterday and this morning, and the boy not com-
prehending whether their object was good or harm, he was observed
to look about him with mistrust, and to become evidently uneasy :
yet he made no remarks to any one. I had myself while lying in my
bed, noticed him very busy in putting in order his arrows, of which
he had only fifteen in his quiver, by warming the heads over the fire
to soften the poisonous compound with which they were covered ;
and then rolling them cylindrically on a flat stone, to smoothen the
poison and bind it firmer to the arrow: but at that time I had not the
least suspicion that he was preparing to leave me, otherwise I would
have quieted his fears. Knowing his own intention, he had provided
for his return, by begging tobacco from every one of the Hottentots,
but had not ventured to take any provisions, as that circumstance
would have betrayed his design ; nor had he even a tinder box, an
article almost indispensable for such a journey. Although uneasy
at losing him, I was far less anxious on his account, than I was at
Cold Station, where I expected he would die while in our hands.
I had now a hope that he would find his way back in safety to his
father, and that, by travelling in the night, he would escape deten-
tion by the boors; yet the subject remained a source of some
anxiety, lest the event should happen otherwise.

A small tent was lent me by Mr. Kicherer, for the use of my
men, and they pitched it on the open ground at the back of his
garden.

26th. The bustle and variety of business had yesterday com-
pletely occupied my attention and given me temporary strength ; but
I was not so far recovered from my illness as I supposed. I relapsed
into a state of great debility, and, in the course of the preceding
night and during this day, became much worse than before. The
fever and hoarseness increased to a high degree, and I was unable
to leave my bed. Nothing could be more truly hospitable and
friendly than the attention paid me by Mr. and Mrs. Kicherer, in
whose house I thus lay sick: the lady, whose knowledge of domestic
medicines was considerable, prescribed for me all those remedies
which had been found, or thought, serviceable in the late epidemic ;

142 FALSE REPORTS. 26, 28 Marcu,

but this complaint appeared to be of an intractable nature, and in
spite of all which was done, seemed still to take its own course. One
of its remarkable symptoms, was, an unusual heat at the throat,
followed by a violent cough attended with expectoration. This, I
was told, had universally been found to be the effect of the disorder.
On the following day, I received a visit from Dr. Menzies and
Lieutenant Schonfeldt, the commissary for troops at Graaffreynet.
In most cases friendly visits to an invalid are beneficial, as they
divert the thoughts, and thus often operate more successfully
towards the recovery of health, than the most efficacious medicines.
The polite attention which I experienced from Dr. Menzies during
the three weeks of his stay at this village, contributed much to
render my detention here less irksome to me, than it otherwise
would have been. There were no English residents at Graaffreynet,
excepting a few dragoons for the purpose of conveying despatches ;
nor, during the whole time of my abode here, was it visited by any
of my countrymen, excepting once by Colonel Arbuthnot, with
whom I had the pleasure, at Lieutenant Schonfeldt’s table, of con-
versing in my own language; a gratification only to be appreciated
by those who have long been deprived of it.
28th. Thirty waggons with colonists and their families from various
parts of the district, some from a distance of two or three days’ journey,
arrived and were outspanned on the plain which surrounds the church,
and to which the number of white tilts gave somewhat the appearance
of a fair. These people came for the purpose of attending divine
service and of receiving the sacrament; the following being one of
the quarterly days appointed for that duty. On such occasions,
it is said, thrice this number are usually seen; but the absence of
many boors who were on militia duty in the Zuureveld, had greatly
reduced it; and the clergyman, on inquiring why so few now at-
tended, was told that many more communicants would have come,
had they not been deterred by a report that a body of three hundred
Hottentots were marching in a hostile manner to Graaffreynet.
It is very difficult to account reasonably for the propensity which
men, not only in this Colony, but in other countries better informed
and more polished, have for propagating false reports. Their fears,

1 AprIL, 1812. POST TO CAPE TOWN. 143

their credulity, or their folly, may obtain a perverse influence over
their judgment; or their private views, or some secret motives, may
seduce their feelings and respect for veracity, and lead them to re-
peat and spread such reports; but those who first set on foot tales
which they know to be untrue, are the very worst and most dan-
gerous characters in society, and deserve the heaviest punishment, if
any can be found heavier than the universal contempt which follows
detection. In the present instance, the misrepresentation was, I
believe, to be attributed only to ignorance and fear combined.

April \st. Graaffreynet holds a regular communication with
Cape Town, by means of a mail which sets out every first and second
Wednesday in the month. ‘This mail is conveyed on horseback from
stage to stage, by Hottentots who are under the superintendance of
farmers, or other persons, residing at certain distances along the road.
It does not proceed directly to Cape Town, which, by the nearest
way over the Karro and round by Tulbagh, may perhaps be about
six hundred and fifty miles distant; but it is carried to Uitenhage,
and thence forwarded to the Cape. By this day’s post, I informed
my friends at the latter place, of my arrival here, and of the present
uncertain state of the question respecting the hiring of Hottentots.

Having now sufficiently recovered my strength, I took a ramble
along the river. The rains of the two last days, had rendered this
stream impassable for any carriage, and as there is no practicable
road towards the south, but through the stream, several of the
waggons which arrived on the 28th, were detained two or three days.
This, which is a serious inconvenience to the town, might be remedied
by a ferry-boat similar to that which has been described when pass-
ing the Berg river: or it might perhaps not be found impossible to
form a road, for foot-passengers at least, along the mountains on the
eastern side; by which the river might be avoided altogether.

The village of Graaffreynet has its advantages, as well as its
disadvantages ; it is situated in the heart of a country productive
in cattle and corn, rapidly increasing in population and property,
and surrounded by a fertile soil; it enjoys abundance of water, and,
it is said, a healthy climate. Fruits and vegetables of all kinds grow

144 DESCRIPTION OF THE APRIL,

here in perfection. An experienced farmer, in this district, informed
me that the produce from good corn-land, is, in ordinary seasons,
much greater than the same quantity of seed would have yielded in
Europe.* The high mountains on either side of the town, add a
grand feature, and great beauty, to the view; although they circum-
scribe rather narrowly the fields of the environs. But for all the
purposes of horticulture, there is more land than will in all proba-
bility ever be required. ‘These mountains are the haunts of tigers, or,
as they are called in Europe, leopards; and abound in baboons of the
same species which is common all over the Colony; but, as a coun-
terbalance to this, serpents, it is said, are rarely seen in this
vicinity.

This village, with its adjoining gardens and fields, is nearly
surrounded by the Sunday river, and sheltered on each side by
lofty mountains decorated with perpetual and beautiful verdure, by
the abundance of Spek-boom (Portulacaria Afra) which covers their
rocky declivities. It consists of one broad principal street, of
detached houses, adjoining to each of which is a garden well planted.
with fruit-trees and continually supplied with water. The church, a

* The following abstract from the official returns, will be the more interest-
ing, as it may be taken as an example of the rapidly improving state of the whole
Colony.

1804, In the District of Graaffreynet. 1811. ieee: Total in 1811.

76a liens) = aan ie oe eoe 1541 7177

575| Women - = = = = = 1154 579 9 :

950|Boys - - - - + - = 2001 1051| ( White Population - - - - 6683
917|Girls - - - = = = = 1987 1070

2397| Male Hottentots - - - 3057 660 ;

2527|Female Hottentots - - - 3309 782| ¢ Hottentots 6566 BR Posen
579| Male Slaves - - - - - 1186 COT U tebe Ht gya pulation 83536
385|Female Slaves - - = - 784 399

1766| Draught and Saddle Horses 3274 1508
3149| Breeding Horses - - - 5810 2661
9905| Draught Oxen - - 15,637 5734
36,042| Breeding Cattle - - 54,747) 18,705
55,597|Goats - - - - = 107,395} 51,798
536,634!|Sheep - - - - - 1,293,740| 757,106

Horses - - - - « - = = = 9084

Large Cattle - - - - - - 70,384

Bn RRR eee en

Small Cattle - - - - - - 1,401,135

One circumstance in the above statement is remarkable ;—while the numbers of the
Dutch colonists and their slaves have more than doubled; the Hottentots have increased
but little more than a fourth. A colonist’s wife with twelve children, is not extraor-
dinary ; but a Hottentot woman with six, is considered more unusual.

1812. VILLAGE OF GRAAFFREYNET. 145

large handsome building, on the ground plan of a cross, stands on a
spacious plain at the northern end of the main street, of which it
forms the terminating object ; while the river, with its banks beauti-
fully clothed with trees and shrubs, closes the southern end. The
drostdy, though inferior to the residence of the landdrost at Tulbagh,
is a respectable edifice. It stands near to the church, at the upper
end of the street, and on the western side. A representation of
this building and part of the street, is given at page 139. The
plain or green in which the church is situated, is bounded by a hill,
from which the lofty Snow-mountains appear full in view. An
opening between this hill and the mountains on the east, is the only
approach to the village, from the north: from the south, there is
no other entrance than through the river. The residence of the
clergyman was, at this time, on the western side of the street, and
towards the lower end; but a large and handsome edifice intended
for the parsonage, was at this time being erected in another street.
On the northern side of the principal street, several others intersecting
at right angles, together with many detached dwellings, were rapidly
rising in every quarter.

At this time Graaffreynet could only be called a village ; but,
from the projected improvements, and the activity with which they
were being carried on, the name of town, would soon become more
appropriate. Seven years before this, the number of houses was
between fifteen and twenty ; but at this date there were seventy-four ;
of which, indeed, some were not yet completed ; besides eight more
already planned. I saw at this time, three smiths’-shops, a waggon-
maker’s, and several shops or houses at which a variety of European
goods might be bought. There were also a town butcher and baker,
and a pagter, (pakter) or retailer of wine and brandy; who are
appointed by licence from the landdrost. Along the principal street
a row of orange and lemon trees, at this time loaded with fruit,
formed a decoration as novel to an English eye, as it was in itself
beautiful by the clean glossy verdure of the foliage, and the bright
contrast of the golden fruit. The general fruit-season was just
past, but quinces were still hanging on the trees. All kinds of

VOL. II. U

146 PLANTS. APRIL,

vegetables were exceedingly cheap. The price of meat was equally
low; that of beef being no more than two stuivers a pound *, and of
mutton, one schelling + for five pounds. But house-rent was even
higher than at Cape Town. { In the immediate vicinity of Graaff-
reynet, but little timber can at present be found suitable for the
purposes of building. All planks and the larger beams are fetched
from a considerable distance south-eastward, where they are cut in
the forests about Baviaans river, and on the Boschberg. §

The banks of the river were thickly covered with willows and
Acacias; many of which were clothed with a species of Clematis
climbing upon their highest branches, while others were decorated
with festoons of an elegant species of Periploca, the beautiful shining
dark-green foliage of which, was interspersed with a profusion of
fragrant white flowers: this plant often grew so luxuriantly that
it quite concealed the tree upon which it entwined itself. The
branches of these Acacias were sometimes ornamented with a hand-
some Loranthus, and two or three kinds of Missletoe. Another re-
markable plant found on these banks, is a climbing sorrel, which
often mounts by the aid of other shrubs, to the height of fifteen feet. ||

* One penny English currency, or, at this time, less than three farthings sterling.

+ Six pence English currency, or four pence sterling.

} A further account of Graaffreynet and its natural history, belongs more properly
to a later period of my journal; for which it is therefore reserved.

§ In the forests on this mountain, I found, at a subsequent period of my travels, a
beautiful flowering tree, remarkable, not only for rivalling our Laburnum in profusion
of bunches of fine yellow flowers, but as an instance of what I have formerly stated
respecting the features of Cape Botany (Vol. I. p.182.), as this tree bears a close re-
semblance to one which is peculiar to Japan, Sophora Japonica. It sometimes attains
the height of thirty feet, but produces flowers at a much smaller size, and even in the
deepest shade of the forest. It is the

Sophora sylvatica, B. Catal. Geogr. 3138. Arbor pulcherrima sub-trigintipedalis
(seepe frutex) glabra. Ramuli virides. Folia pinnata sub-sexjuga cum impari. Foliola
opposita ovalia, vel obovata, apice rotundata. Racemi vix foliis longiores multiflori.
Flores flavi conferti longits pedunculati. Vexillum obcordatum subreflexum; alee
patentes. Legumen membranaceum compressum polyspermum (semina circiter 12)
per suturam superiorem alatum, vel margine tenui auctum.

|| Rumex (Acetosa) scandens, B. Catal. Geogr. 2890. Radix tuberosa. Caules’
ramosi scandentes. Folia petiolata sagittata acuminata. Panicula terminalis divaricata

1812. HOTTENTOT’S BREAD. 147

These mountains are the native soil of an extraordinary plant
called Hottentots Brood (Hottentot’s Bread).* Its bulb stands
entirely above ground, and grows to an enormous size, frequently
three feet in height and diameter. It is closely studded with angular
ligneous protuberances, which give it some resemblance to the shell
of a tortoise. The inside is a fleshy substance which may be com-
pared to a turnip, both in consistence and color. From the top
of this bulb arise several annual stems, the branches of which have
a disposition to twine round any shrub within reach. The Hottentots
informed me, that, in former times, they ate this inner substance,
which is considered not unwholesome, when cut in pieces and baked
in the embers. It will easily be believed that this food may not
be very unlike the yam of the East Indies, since the plant belongs,
if not to the same, at least to a very closely allied, genus +; as the
membranaceous capsules, with which it was at this time covered,
clearly proved.

supradecomposita. Pedunculi filiformes. Valvule nude orbiculate integerrime, basi
cordate. An R. sagittatus, Th. Fl. Cap. 2. p. 348. ?

At this place I met with a shrub which occurs in various parts of the country; it is
not the only species of the genus Lhretia which I have found in Southern Africa.

Ehretia Hottentotica, B. Catal. Geogr. 2117. Frutex sub-5-pedalis. Ramuli albidi.
Folia petiolata obovata integerrima levia, margine scabro. Cymez paucifloree extra-
axillares. Flores purpurei. Laciniz corollze ovata obtusa, marginibus vix conspicué
tomentosis. Calyx profunde 5-fidus, divisionibus acutis subtomentosis. Bacca globosa

flava tetrapyrena.
; * A representation of this plant, in the proportion of one fifth of its natural size, is
given at the end of the present chapter.
‘ + Testudinaria, Salisb.

By the liberality of my friend, Mr. R. A. Salisbury, I am enabled to anticipate a por-
tion of his long-expected work on a general arrangement of plants according to their
natural affinities. In that work, which will soon be given to the public, the present genus
stands, along with six others, in his 3d section of the order Dioscoridee, or among those
having a membranaceous pericarp, all the lobes of which are fertile. The name of
Testudinaria is peculiarly appropriate, and is meant to express the resemblance which the
bulb, or tuber, has to a ¢ortozse. The following generic character is copied from that work.

“© Testudinaria. Petala in cyathum coalita, dein reclinata, oblonga, interiora parum
latiora. Filamenta 6, longiuscula in hoc ordine. Antherae oblong emarginulate.
Styli coaliti. Stigmata recurva, obtusa. Semina apice alata. Herbez in Promontorio
Bonz Spei, 7—12-pedales. Radix in tuber grande areolatum supra terram emineus.
Caulis superne volubilis, teres, rigidus at quotannis periens. Folia alterna, reniformia, in

Ug

148 HOTTENTOTS TAKEN ILL. 5—7 ApRIL,

5th. At this time I had nearly recovered from all the effects of
my illness ; but two of my men were now seized with the same dis-
order, and in two days afterwards, the whole of them were lying sick
in the tent. None appeared to suffer so severely as I had; in some,
the symptoms were but slight, and more resembling a violent cold.
It was now my turn to attend on them, for considering that it was I
who had brought them from their homes, where they would have
escaped this attack, I felt it more especially my duty to take care of
them.

At the end of ten days, all were well again; excepting Cobus,
whose age was perhaps the only cause of his remaining indisposed a
few days longer than the rest. This old man, after making many
inquiries among the Hottentots of the country, was unable to gain
any certain tidings of his daughter whom he expected to find at
Graaffreynet, and on whose account he had taken this long and
fatiguing journey.* All that he learnt was, that she was alive, and
had, not long since, removed to another part of the Colony. With
this intelligence he was obliged to remain satisfied ; and now had no
other wish left than to return to his friends in the Transgariepine.

Hans Lucas was more fortunate in his journey, for he regained an
ox, which he had lost two years before, and which he had relinquished
all hope of ever seeing again. He accidentally discovered it among
a herd of cattle belonging to the Drostdy. He immediately recog-
nised and laid claim to it: and fortunately the circumstances were
so clear, that it was delivered up to him without hesitation. Hans
was at that time on a journey to Cape Town, and it was very well
recollected by the Hottentots who then drove the landdrost’s waggon,

una Soldanellz. Flores dioici: masculi spicis laxis parum ramosis; foeminei spicis
brevioribus ; viridi-flavescentuli. Pedicelli breves. Bractese solitarize. Species 2. Tamus
Elephantipes, L’ Her., aliaque nondum edita.”

The present plant, which has much smaller leaves than the species long known by
the above name, may be distinguished as the

Testudinaria montana, B. Catal. geogr. 2912. Folia cordata, semicollapsa, latiora
quam longa, obsoleté nervosa, subtus glauca.

* See Vol. I. p. 542.

1812. _ CIVILITIES AT BREMMER’S. 149

that a strange ox, supposed to have belonged to the Klaarwater
people, had mingled itself with their teams, and was brought along
with them to Graaffreynet.

. 7th. On the arrival of the post from Cape Town, many of the
inhabitants of the village, and particularly the female part, most of
whom had never been inoculated, were put under great alarm by an
account of the Small-pox having made its appearance there: and in
consequence of this, some intended journeys to the metropolis were
postponed.

Among the boors, the demand for Hottentot labor on their farms
is everywhere so pressing, that all my search and inquiries for men,
ended unsuccessfully. The landdrost declined acting in this business,
without instructions from the commandant on the frontiers; and as
no answer had yet been received from that quarter, every further
arrangement was postponed.

In the interim, having no means of preserving the objects of
natural history which I might have procured here, I employed myself
in collecting information on the affairs of this part of the Colony, and
often amused myself in drawing. The absence of my flute, was now
felt to be a greater loss than I had supposed ; but I occasionally sup-
plied its place with an instrument which I little expected to meet with
in this remote corner of Africa. In one of the cottages of the village I
discovered an organ: and through Mr. Kicherer’s introduction to the
owner, obtained free access to it during my residence at this village.
It was at the house of a worthy Hollander of the name of Bremmer.
Here I often passed an hour or two; and many times would the
sound beguile my thoughts to a land where I had heard it so much
better played ; and the recollection of distant scenes, or the memory
of some delightful hour recalled by a few notes to which my fingers
accidentally ran, have afforded me in the honest Bremmer’s cottage,
a gratification which I would not have exchanged for all the pleasures
of a grander mansion. Whenever they saw me at the door, some
one of the family ran with a smile to let me in, and pleased at my
coming, immediately went to open the organ and place a seat for me.
The two daughters, the eldest of whom was not fifteen, sometimes
very goodnaturedly took upon themselves the trouble of blowing the

150 THE CHURCH-ORGAN.—VILLAGE-SCHOOL. — 7—14 Aprit,

bellows; but I usually took with me my Hottentot, Philip, for this
purpose, who was more amused perhaps than any one else, and not a
little pleased when I was obliged to tell him that I could not play
unless he helped me ; for it often happened that, his attention being
entirely engaged by the music, he forgot to blow. The eldest of the
daughters could play some psalm tunes, which she had been taught
by the person who ‘ worked’ the organ at the church; for so I must
term it.

I had, previously to hearing of Bremmer’s, made, by the clergy-
man’s permission, an attempt upon that organ, attended by the
organist himself; but was completely disappointed at finding it
exceedingly out of order. It was however the donation of a pious
boor of the district, to whom it had cost a considerable sum of money,
though quite old when he purchased it. Yet, notwithstanding the
price, it had a few defects over and above being thoroughly worn
out: the keys were so rattling and noisy, and some so loose, and
others so tight, that it was difficult to know what force each one
required; and often, one or other, after being pressed down, would
remain in that position while the pipe kept on growling, or squealing,
till accident, or some assistance, stopped it again.

A regular musician could hardly be found to accept a situation
which so badly repaid his services; for this person, who played
merely psalm tunes in a plain manner and made no pretensions
to a voluntary, was glad to accept, in addition to his music, a trifling
salary as assistant in the village-school under the clerk.

The number of children taught in this school, was about fifty ;
and the charge was —for learning to read, including a book, one
rixdollar a month; for writing, one more; and for arithmetic, another
rixdollar. The master himself was allowed besides these emolu-
ments, a house and garden.

14th. At length a polite letter from the commandant, dated at
Bruyntjes Hoogte on the 12th, in answer to one from me on the
31st of the preceding month, informed me that he had written to the
acting-landdrost to desire him to assist me in procuring men ; and at
the same time requested me to restore Philip to his regiment, unless
I found him to be indispensably necessary. Now it seemed that I

1812. PHILIP AND SPEELMAN CLAIMED. 151

was destined always to have favorable opportunities thrown in my
way, for trying and proving my patience: for not more than six
hours before the receipt of this letter, the landdrost himself had set
out on a journey to the commandant, for the purpose of arranging
some business which required a personal conference. Nothing there-
fore could be done with respect to my own affairs, till his return.

As there appeared so much difficulty in obtaining men at any
rate, I considered that giving up one out of the only two which
remained in my service, would really be ‘ advancing backwards’ in the
affair which brought me to Graaffreynet. I however mentioned his
colonel’s wish to the Hottentot, and now gave him his option of being
a soldier again, or of returning with me into the Transgariepine ; but
he had so little hesitation in the choice, that he was even uneasy at
the idea of the bare proposal of sending him back to his regiment.
I afterwards repeated this proposal, but as he persisted in the same
answer ; and as he had been trained to my mode of travelling, and
was now a veteran in my service, I considered him to be ‘ indis-
pensably necessary.’

Speelman also, was claimed again by a person whom he happened
unexpectedly one day to meet in the village, and to whom he had
formerly been hired for a twelvemonth, but had not served out the
whole period. But he escaped from him, by promising to work
out the remainder of the time, after his return from the present
journey.

During my stay here, much of the time was employed in keep-
ing my people together, and in watching to prevent their falling into
harm. They occasioned me continual uneasiness; for as they had
now scarcely any occupation, I greatly feared that idleness would lead
them into disorderly habits. The money I had paid them, together
with that which they derived from the sale of the shamboks cut from
the hide of the two rhinoceroses, was to them no source of ad-
vantage; and I had the mortification of discovering that nearly the
whole of it was spent at the pagter’s. I seldom went to the tent with-
out perceiving evident symptoms of one or other of these foolish men
having taken too much brandy: but I have a pleasure in doing them

152 HOTTENTOTS DURING INTOXICATION. 14—18 APRIL,

the justice to declare, that, when in a state of intoxication, at which
times there would be no restraint upon vicious inclinations, they
generally exhibited a goodness of disposition which, I shall always
think, belongs naturally to the Hottentot character.

One day, when they were in this state, Old Hans and Speelman
came together into my room, with hearts overflowing with zeal for
my service and the most respectful regard for my person. The
object of their communication was some information respecting a
Hottentot whom they expected to persuade to join our party. Their
solicitude for the interest of my journey, and their repeated declar-
ation that they were ready to do any thing to serve me, left nothing
further for me to wish, but that they were sober.

Old Cobus had saved his wages till within a day or two of our
departure, and had nearly established himself in my good opinion, as
a Hottentot who was careful of his property; but, unable to resist
temptation and bad example, he faltered at last ; and I found him
one day lying in the tent, after a fit of intoxication, bewailing the loss
of all his money. This misfortune brought him sufficiently to his
senses, to confess that he had spent a great part of it at the pagter’s ;
but that the rest, being usually kept in his hat, had been stolen away,
while he lay in a state of insensibility, or, as he more delicately called
it, sleep. The thief was never discovered, nor even suspected.

One of my men appeared in his manners very different from the
rest ; he was always silent and sullen; seldom quitted the tent; and
whenever any strangers from the village came there, as they frequently
did for the purpose of learning some particulars of our journey, he
used to cover himself up in his kaross and lie down in one corner as
if asleep. On one occasion, when I ordered him to fetch some sheep
which I had purchased at a neighbouring farm, he evinced the greatest
reluctance to go, and, pretending that he was unacquainted with the
road, begged that I would send another instead of him. This
diabolical wretch had sufficient cause for desiring thus to hide him-
self from observation ; yet, although the rest of my people sometimes
remarked that his behaviour was strange and unaccountable, no one
had any suspicions of his being the man whom he was afterwards

1812. CHARACTER OF OLD DANIEL.— BABOONS. 153

proved to be. I reserve the horrid story for that part of my journal
to which it properly belongs; but I cannot without shuddering, re-
flect how often my life has been in his hands; nor remember without
gratitude, the protection of Providence, which shielded me during my
travels, from the many dangers, both seen and unseen, to which I
have been exposed. This miscreant was he whom we have called
Old Daniel.
15th. From so irregular a mode of passing their time, my people
fell into a neglect of, or rather an inattention to, the only duty
required of them during our stay; and I was therefore not sur-
prised at being told that all the oxen were missing. I despatched
men in parties, to seek in different directions ; and it was not till the
seventh day of their search, that all were recovered. One of these
animals, influenced by its long habits of sleeping by the waggons and
of lying down to rest near our fires and in the society of men,
returned home of its own accord: the rest were at last discovered at
a distant place, grazing in company with a large herd belonging to
the village.
On one of the days while the men were engaged in this search,
one party was sent to explore the mountains; and, as tigers were
_ said to haunt those places, they took the dogs with them for safety.
Baboons * are also met with here in great numbers ; and unfortunately
the dogs, through a natural antipathy to this tribe of animals, pursued
a small company, which turned upon them, and defended themselves
most effectually. They killed one of the dogs on the spot, by biting
it through the jugular artery ; and another, they severely disabled by
tearing a large piece of flesh out of its side; so that, a part of the
ribs was laid bare.
18th. In the preceding fortnight, the weather had been dry and

* Cercopithecus ursinus. I have taken the specific name from Pennant, as being suf-
ficiently characteristic, but have not perceived the necessity for adopting the generic name
ef Cynocephalus proposed by Cuvier. In this, I am supported by the opinion of the
Somed Illiger, who says “ Anne genus Cercopithecorum cum sequente (Cynocephalo-
rum) jungendum.” Prod. Syst. Mamm., p. 69.

VOL. IIe x

154 PASTORAL DUTIES.— HOTTENTOTS HIRED. 18—24 APRIL,

pleasant ; but in the course of the following week, much rain fell :
and for the remainder of my stay at this village, I was troubled con-
tinually with a ‘ cold in the head,’ a complaint which had never
attacked me while nightly sleeping in the open air. In this, the
powerful effect of habit, on the bodily constitution, was remarkably
exemplified ; while, on the other hand, it proved that luxuries, as the
convenience of sleeping in a warm bedroom might now be considered,
may be attended with disadvantages.

19th. During my residence at Graaffreynet, I had constant
opportunities of noticing Mr. Kicherer’s extraordinary zeal in religion,
and unremitted attention to the duties of his situation. Through his
exertions religious assemblies took place every day in the week, either
in the church, or at the meeting-house, or at private dwellings ; and
similar meetings of females were conducted by his lady. Four times a
year, he undertook journeys through his district for the purpose of
holding these assemblies in various places, for the convenience and
instruction of those whom distance prevented from coming to the
church. These pastoral visits were called huisbezoekings, or domici-
liary visitations. Though enthusiasm in the evangelical cause is
not an uncommon sentiment; I have no hesitation in believing
Mr. Kicherer’s religious feelings to have been as sincere as they were
warm, and that his labors were directed by an earnest desire for the
diffusing of the Gospel.

23rd. The landdrost, whose arrival I had been long expecting,
did not return till yesterday ; and this afternoon he sent to inform
me that jive Hottentots were waiting at his house ready to engage
themselves in my service. Jejoiced at this agreeable intelligence, I
repaired thither, immediately, and found them not only willing, but
even desirous of undertaking the journey, as he had urged every
favorable circumstance to encourage them, and was himself equally
desirous that I should hire them. He fixed the wages which they were
to receive; and to these, they instantly agreed. I therefore believed
myself to be fortunate in having at length obtained the object of
my visit to the Colony, and was happy at finding the affair thus at
length settled. They had not, indeed, the looks of Hottentots of the

1812. CORNELIS.— MARTHA, MARY, AND JOHN. 155

description I required; yet, as the landdrost assured me they would
all prove valuable servants, I had no hesitation in engaging them ;
although three appeared to be mere boys. On the following day they
presented themselves at my tent, ready for the journey ; and I then
paid to each one, a portion of his money in advance.

24th. 'Through Mr. Kicherer’s recommendation and assistance, I
also engaged two other Hottentots, or rather Half-Hottentots, who
were considered to be of a much superior class, as having been baptized
and taught to read: on this account I agreed to pay them a salary
double that of my ordinary men.

The name of one, was Cornelis Goeiman the offspring of a Hot-
tentot man and the daughter of a Dutch colonist ; a mixture as rare,
as the converse is common; most of the Mixed-Hottentots, in whom
there is any Dutch blood, deriving it from the father, but very seldom
from the mother. He was taller than the usual stature of men of his
father’s race, his complexion was fairer, and features nearly European ;
but his hair was still as woolly as that of a negro, though much less so
than in the genuine Hottentot.

The other, was Jan Van Roye (or Van Rooyen), a man formerly
well known in England and Holland, as one of the three Hottentots
who were brought to Europe about the year 1803 by Mr. Kicherer,
and exhibited as specimens of missionary conversion. The names of
these three, it may be recollected, were Martha, Mary and John.
They excited great interest among the curious, more especially among
the favorers of missionary labours; and met with much notice from
allranks of the community. Mary, or, as she was here called, Mietje,
was the wife of John, or Jan Van Roye. After Mr. Kicherer’s return
from Europe, John, together with Mary and Martha, remained for
some years under his protection as domestic servants; and were
treated, as it will readily be supposed, with the greatest indulgence
and kindness. But at length, Jan and his wife, giving way to their
propensity to that ruinous vice, inebriety, and proving in other
respects immoral and undeserving, their protector found himself
compelled to put them out of his house ; although he still continued,
with benevolent feelings towards them, to watch over their conduct.

x 2

156 CORNELIS; AND JAN VAN ROYE. 24 APRIL,

The candour with which he exposed to me the faults of these
two men, is highly to be admired. He apprised me that they were
too fond of brandy, and that, as they could always have access
to the pakter’s, they often, at Graaffreynet, proved troublesome
and refractory ; but that, in the journey they were about to under-
take and where they could have neither temptation nor the means
of gratifying that propensity, he did not doubt that they would be
found valuable servants ; especially as they were baptized and knew
the Christian duties ; qualifications which he naturally urged as a
strong inducement for preferring them to ordinary Hottentots.

The truth of this account of their defects, was proved on the very
same evening; for Cornelis made his appearance at the parsonage, in
a state of complete intoxication, and had probably been induced
to over-indulgence in his propensity, by the prospect of the wages
of his new service. Both the minister and the landdrost, with the
view of putting some check upon his excesses, had very wisely,
though not perhaps legally, as the man was by his baptism entitled
to the same privileges as the Dutch colonists, forbidden the pakter
to sell him any brandy, unless he produced a paper signed. by the
one or the other, specifying the quantity which they allowed him to
purchase; according to a colonial regulation framed, expressly for
Hottentots, but which, I fear, is too often neglected. In this state,
the man, finding his demands for more brandy, resisted by the
pakter, flew to the landdrost; and, with violent and impertinent
language, insisted on having his right. That step not availing him,
he came to the minister, and in a turbulent indignant tone, asked
what right any one had to restrain him as if he were a Hottentot:
Was he not a Christian! and could he not have as much brandy as
he pleased, without being obliged to ask leave of any man!

As these two people, but more particularly Jan Van Roye,
might, from the instruction they had received, easily be believed to
possess a degree of knowledge much superior to other Hottentots, I
conceived they might, in an equal degree, prove superior to them
in usefulness ; and was, therefore, satisfied at having engaged them,
as I could have little to fear from a disposition to drunkenness, in

1812. THE GERMAN FROM SNEEUWBERG. 157

countries where they would find nothing to drink but water. To
lose no time in securing them for my service, I took them im-
mediately to the office of Mr. Muller the District-secretary, where
they were bound for the term of my journey, not in the forms
customary for Hottentots, but a regular stamped agreement.

Soon after my arrival at Graaffreynet, Mr. Menzies had men-
tioned to me a German at that time with the ‘commando’ on the
Caffre frontier, as a man who would probably be willing to serve me,
and might be found useful in stiperintending my Hottentots and in
looking after my cattle and waggons ; therefore conceiving that such
a person would be of great assistance, Mr. Menzies, at my desire,
obligingly took the trouble of ascertaining his readiness to accompany
me. Mr. Andries Stockenstrom, who, three years afterwards, became
landdrost of Graaffreynet, was at that time on duty in the eastern
districts as an officer of the Cape regiment, and, when informed of
my wish to hire this man, who belonged to the detachment of which
he had the command, he took the very friendly part, with the con-
currence of Colonel Lyster, of granting his release from the militia,
as he happened fortunately to be one of the disposable force ; and
without delay, sent him to Graaffreynet, where he arrived on the 14th.

This German had formerly been a corporal in the Dutch East
India Company’s service, and having lived many years in the Colony,
had travelled over a great part of it. He expressed himself exceed-
ingly pleased at the idea of a journey into the Interior, and made
promises of the utmost obedience and fidelity: he was, however,
very illiterate. His place of residence was on Sneeuwberg; but
he appeared to have, on what account I could not clearly discover,
several enemies or opposers, at this village. He was free in his
religious opinions, and it therefore was not surprising that the cler-
gyman, who had recommended the two Hottentots as valuable ser-
vants because they were Christians, should dissuade me from taking
a man professing such sentiments: and in this he acted with a con-
sistency becoming his professions. Among others who threw dif-
ficulties in his way, on this occasion, was the acting-landdrost,

158 PROPOSALS TO A COLONIST. 24,25 APRIL,

Paul Maré *, who raised my suspicions as to the motives of his readi-
ness to accompany me ; and proposed, as a security for his good beha-
viour and to prevent his desertion on the journey, that he should sign a
bond in the penalty of confiscation of all his property, on Sneeuwberg.
This bond was to be deposited at the drostdy ; and to be, either
acted upon, or cancelled, agreeably to a certificate which I was to
give him at the termination of the journey. To this arrangement
the man would on no account consent; because no one, he said,
could be answerable for the use that might in his absence be made
of the bond, although the property it involved was of little value :
nor could my promise of giving him immediately the certificate, or
a paper to counteract its effect, induce him to agree to the landdrost’s
proposal. I was therefore left in equal uncertainty, whether the
cause of his obstinacy might not be a consciousness of double-deal-
ing, or whether it might really be the fear that some advantage would
be taken of his bond. At length it was, ina few days afterwards,
finally settled between us, that the signing of the bond should be re-
linquished, and that he should proceed home, as soon as possible, to
arrange all his affairs for the journey; and that he should meet me
on Sneeuwberg, at Herholdt’s.

As soon as it became known in the village, what men the land-
drost had given me, I received intimation from different quarters,
that they were all, excepting one, known for incorrigible scoundrels,
and the refuse of the tronk Hottentots.

It must here be explained that the tronk, or jail, is the general
receptacle, not only of convicted criminals, but of such Hottentots
or slaves as are found, improperly or illegally wandering about the
country, without a passport, or unable to give a credible account of
themselves ; and who are lodged there for examination, or until their
masters or owners fetch them away. These are commonly called by

* This is the colonial mode of expression, when mentioning the name of a boor:
and itis not from want of respect that they always thus omit the title of Mr. when speak-
ing of a person of this description.

1812. TRONK HOTTENTOTS. 159

the colonial term of drossers or gedrost Hottentotten (runaways). It
is also a refuge for those who, having been illtreated by their masters,
fly to the landdrost for redress: these are called Klagt-Hottentotten,
or § complaining Hottentots ;’ and are usually kept employed on the
Government works, or set to labor at the drostdy, until their masters
can be summoned to appear and answer to the charge. If this is
clearly substantiated, the man is either released from his engagement
with the boor, or given over to another master, or retained to work
as a tronk Hottentot ; although it often happens, when the daas’s story
is heard, that he is proved to deserve punishment, instead of redress.
It may therefore sometimes occur, that among these tronk volk (jail--
people), there may be good and deserving Hottentots, as well as
worthless.

Now, it happened unfortunately for me, that the selection had
been made from those of the latter description: as it appeared from
the best authority, that before my arrival at Graaffreynet, the land-
drost and heemraaden had resolved upon dismissing from the jail,
nine of the least useful, or rather, the more worthless; because, as
it was said, there could not be found at the drostdy work enough to
employ them. Several months afterwards I discovered that one of
them had been kept in jail for having, after running away from his
master, joined another Hottentot of the same stamp, and lived for
several months by stealing cattle. It was reported, how correctly
I cannot say, that some one had remarked that such men were
good enough for the Englishman, as neither he, nor they, would ever
return alive. .My people were often called the Englishman’s dood
volk (dead men); but they assured me that, although many persons
of the village had endeavoured to deter them, by saying that I was
going to take them amongst the menschvreeters (men-eaters), yet they
considered it only as a tale invented for the purpose of frightening
them.

25th. Having, on the following day, obtained from the same
quarter, the names of such tronk Hottentots as were recommended as
fit for my journey, and whose courage and fidelity might be relied
on, I immediately sent the German with some of my own men, to

160 JULI. 25 APRIL, |

ascertain if they were willing to be hired. They answered without
hesitation that they would gladly engage themselves. On this,
I went to the landdrost and requested that I might be allowed to
have these men, instead of the five whom I had seen at his house;
and at the same time intimated that I had been informed by persons
who knew the characters of all of them, that the first set were not
such as I ought to trust myself with. His reply was, that he must
refer the matter to the heemraaden: which he would do on the fol-
lowing Monday ; that being the regular council-day. But in the mean
time, he assured me, that the men he had already given, were all
trustworthy people, and that, on the contrary, those whom I now
wished to hire, were some of the greatest scoundrels in the district.
One of these last Hottentots deserves to be particularly noticed.
He had been waggon-driver to Landdrost Stockenstrom, and since
his death, had continued to work at the drostdy. I ascertained that
his services were no longer required by that family, who spoke
favorably of his character, and that he was resolved if possible to add
himself to the number of my party. His name was Jéli, a man of
whose good and invaluable qualities I was not at this time aware,
but who, during the three years and four months that he was con-
stantly with me, continued always to gain on my good opinion, and
prove by his fidelity, how fortunate I was in taking him into my
service. I shall not, in this place, say all that could be said in his
favor: as I became gradually acquainted with his value, so shall his
character be gradually unfolded in the course of my journal. The
accompanying plate* presents both a portrait of his person, and a
correct likeness of his features; and I hope that the physiognomist
will not suffer himself to be misled by the want of European beauty
or proportions in a Hottentot face, to suppose that in Juli’s counte-

* Plate 3. This portrait was drawn in August 1815; only a few days before I.

sailed from the Cape; but he still continued in my pay nearly two years longer; after
which he returned with his wife and child to Graaffreynet. He is here exhibited in his
usual dress; a blue cloth jacket, leathern trowsers, a cotton handkerchief round his head,
and another about his neck, It was by his own desire that he is represented holding
his musket ; and the position is that in which he used to carry it when approaching any
wild animal.

1812. JULI. 161

nance may not be seen an expression of real goodness of heart. If
he has had the same experience among that race, which I have, he
will discover it most clearly.

Juli was a Hottentot of the mixed race; as were also his father
and mother. The hair of men of this class, being longer and looser
or less in tufts, than in the genuine Hottentot, is well expressed in
the engraving. His features do not differ very widely from those of
the unmixed race. His age was, probably, nearer fifty than forty ;
as he was the oldest man of the party, whom I took into the Interior.

His father lived in the vicinity of Algoa-bay, but was killed by
the Caffres while hunting in the Zuureveld. The mother, induced
by distress at her loss, resolved to quit a district which had been
fatal to her husband, and removed with her two children, a girl and
a boy, to the western side of the colony. Here she was still more
unfortunate ; for, falling in the way of a brutal colonist who resided
on the river which runs through that tract, he seized her children,
then nearly grown up and strong enough to be made useful on his
farm, and drove her away from the place, as she herself appeared too
old to render him much service by her labor. He therefore procured
Juli and his sister to be registered in the field-cornet’s books, as
legally bound to serve him for twenty-five years; which was in fact
to make them his actual slaves for that time. The mother clung to
her children, wishing to resist this unjust seizure, and desiring to be
permitted either to take them away, or to live on the farm with
them ; but the farmer repeatedly drove her off, and at last, with a
resolution to deter her from coming there again, he one evening
flogged her so unmercifully that she died the next morning! This,
and the harsh treatment which he himself received, were sufficient
to drive Juli to despair; and he, in consequence, took the first
favorable opportunity of making his escape.

This is a tale which he several times repeated to me during my
travels; but as the colonist is now dead, it rests alone upon his
veracity. Yet as the word of a Hottentot gains, in general, but little
credit in the Colony, so has his story, if he ever dared to make a
formal complaint: which I believe he never ventured to do. If he

VOL. Il. Y

162 THE HIRING OF 25 AprIL,

or his wife should still be living, when this volume reaches the Cape,
I hope there will be found enough humane persons to afford them
protection, should they stand in need of any: it will be the greatest
personal favor which can be conferred on myself.

Juli and Van Roye, who were acquainted with all the Hottentots
at Graaffreynet, had found one named Platje Zwartland, who was very
desirous of being of our party; and recommended him to me as a
steady useful man. He was shepherd and herdsman to a man of the
name of Schemper, the village butcher, and had been engaged to
him for the term of one year, which had already expired some little
time before: and although the Hottentot wished to quit him, the
master was resolved still to detain him, contrary to a law which
expressly provides, that ‘as soon as the period for which he has
been engaged, shall have expired, all further service shall cease, and
the Hottentot, together with his wife and children and all their pro-
perty, shall be allowed to depart without let or hindrance:’ a wise
and necessary law, which wants no other amendment than a clause
decreeing punishment for the infraction of it.

Platje informed us, that as soon as the master knew of his in-
tention of going with us, he contrived to get him into a state of
intoxication, as he little suspected the cause of his being so liberal
with his brandy ; and made him in that state promise to continue
his servant for another year. Of all this, the man was perfectly un-
conscious, and declared that he never intended at any rate, to stop
with him longer; but that he had always, when asked the question,
persisted in his refusal. He seemed much rejoiced at being told
that he should go with us, if it could be clearly made out that his
story was true.

On the next day, I brought this Hottentot before the landdrost,
for the purpose of ascertaining whether he was legally at liberty to
enter my service. On searching the official register, nothing was
found to prove the truth of the master’s assertion, who was present
himself; and who, finding that Maré had no power to detain the man,
and hoping that the District Secretary could befriend him, referred
me to that office: but neither here, could any record or proof be

1812. PLATJE. 163

found. The Secretary was exceedingly warm with the Hottentot for
leaving the butcher, after having promised to serve him another year ;
and told me that he had been credibly given to understand that he
was truly, though only verbally, hired.

Still, with the strongest evidence against him, the master made
another struggle to detain Platje, and persuaded the jailer or onder-
schout (under-sheriff) to send me a note certifying, fortunately for
his conscience, not upon oath, that to his knowledge the man, with
his wife and five children, was hired for a twelvemonth at the Secre-
tary’s office, on the last day of May in the preceding year, at the sum
of twenty rix dollars: wishing by this, to show that his time had not
yet expired. For, after having failed to prove that he was legally,
or actually, hired for another year, he thought it would answer his
purpose equally well, and prevent the man’s leaving the village with
me, if he could induce me to believe that the period of service
would not terminate till the end of May, at which time, he knew,
I should long have quitted the colony.

All these endeavours, only served to convince me of the truth
of the Hottentot’s story; and as he was exceedingly desirous of
making one of my party. and anxious lest he should be detained by
the butcher, whom he was resolved at all events to leave, I determined,
as much on his account as on my own, to take him with me. I there-
fore requested the landdrost to sign an order to the Secretary, that he
should, if no legal objection could be found, prepare the usual agree-
ment, and register him as my servant. This was accordingly done.

But on the Hottentot’s demanding the arrears of his wages, of
which he had only received nine rix dollars, his master not only
denied his claim, but took from him some clothes, which, he said, the
man had not paid for. Platje, the following day, summoned him
before the landdrost ; the butcher asserted that no money was due;
and the Hottentot, who was unable to bring forward any witness,
or to produce any written testimony, relinquished his demand, and
came away, well satisfied with having gained at least his freedom.

I have related the particulars of this story, with the view of
showing more forcibly than bare assertion could do, how useful and

v2

164 UTILITY OF THE COLONIAL HOTTENTOTS. 25—27 Aprit,

necessary a race of men the Hottentots are considered by the colonists ;
who feel, and by their conduct prove, that the business of the farms
cannot proceed without the labor of their hands. The difficulty which
I experienced, not at Graaffreynet only, but in every other part of
the colony, in obtaining men for the prosecution of my travels even
within the boundary, has, in conjunction with other evidence, con-
vinced me that the demand for them is much greater than the
supply : a circumstance which should obtain for this peaceable race
every reasonable encouragement, and which must convince the
colonists that their true interest consists in securing their fidelity by
kind treatment. Ido not mean to stand forward on all occasions
indiscriminately, as the advocate for the Hottentots against the
Boors, nor shall I undertake to defend them against many just
complaints made by the latter; for I know that their conduct may
sometimes be exceedingly vexatious, and sufficiently provoking to
exhaust the patience of their masters. I wish merely to point out
how greatly the comfort of both parties depends on a mutual good
understanding ; and that fidelity on one side, and justice and kind-
ness on the other, are the only means of doing away that mutual
suspicion and recrimination, which has so long subsisted between
them, and which none but the worst enemies to society and good
order, endeavour to cherish and perpetuate. Connected with this
question, there exist among the inhabitants of the Cape two opposite
parties ; and, as | have had numerous opportunities of hearing the
opinions of both, and have formed my own upon the evidence of
facts only, and the experience of several years, I shall not make to
either, any apology for saying, that I believe much blame to be due
to both. For, where party spirit exists, there of course, will im-
partiality not be found; and where there is no impartiality, there of
course can no justice dwell: for justice holds an even balance ; but
partiality, or party spirit, throws a deceitful preponderance into its
own scale. A legislature has done but half its duty, when it has
made good laws ; the other half, is to watch that they are duly obeyed,
or enforced.

26th. I sent again for the five tronk Hottentots whom I wished to

1812. SECRET INTIMIDATION. 165

hire, and offered them as wages, considerably more than the landdrost
had fixed as the sum to be paid those whom he had first given me.
At this, they expressed themselves fully satisfied, and every thing was
now finally settled, excepting the act of legally binding them to me
before the landdrost. I therefore went without delay, to apprise him
that every arrangement excepting that one, was agreed on; and that
nothing more was wanting but his consent. This he now granted ;
and, without referring the matter to the heemraaden, the following
morning was fixed as the time for meeting the people at his house,
and according to law, entering into engagements with them in
his presence.

27th. In consequence of this, he sent word the following
morning, that four of the men were then waiting at his house; but
on coming there, I found to my great surprise and mortification, that
they had all changed their minds and now refused to engage them-
selves, and even declared to the landdrost that they had never
promised to go on the journey with me; an assertion so notoriously
false, that I should have believed that he had not been mistaken
in their character, had I not known enough of Hottentots to
feel aware that, on some occasions, their timidity and dread would
make them say any thing which they thought likely to get them out
of present trouble. I readily forgave these poor misguided creatures,
because I suspected that some one in the village might have told
them that if they went with me, they would never return, or that other
arguments might have been used to excite their alarm and dissuade
them from their purpose. Besides the landdrost, there was present
a person named Carel Gerots, who, I was told, had the superintend-
ance of the tronk Hottentots.

Jili was one of the five Hottentots whose names were on my
second list ; but he boldly persisted in his intention of accompanying
me, although the landdrost declared that, being a good waggon-driver,
he could not be spared from the drostdy work. Yet nothing could
shake this honest fellow’s resolution ; therefore, as he was not a slave,
but a free man, it would have been an illegal stretch of power, to
have restrained him from chusing his own master.

166 ACTS OF FRIENDSHIP "OT Apia!

Thus was I reduced to the necessity of making up my number
with three of the first set: of these Keyser Dikkop (Emperor Thick-
head) was the only one to whose character no particular objection had
been made. The names of the other two were, Stuurman Witbooy,
and Andries Michael.

The object of my journey into the Colony being now to a certain
extent, obtained, for there was at this place no further prospect of
hiring serviceable men, and I judged it would have been even
dangerous to take a greater number of such as had been proposed for
me, I gave orders to prepare for leaving Graaffreynet on the next day.

I purchased of Maré an additional supply of tobacco, not only
for the purpose of distribution among the Bushmen of the Cisga-
riepine, but in order to increase my original stock; being well
assured that a traveller in Southern Africa can never have too much
of this commodity. In Maré’s shop, I was shown a large quantity
which he was just about to send by a fieldcornet, to the borders of
the Bushman country northward of Sneeuwbergen, to be distributed
among the natives as a present from the Cape government.

During my residence at Graaffreynet, I experienced many acts
of friendship from several of its inhabitants, amongst whom the
Rev. Mr. Kicherer and his lady, stand the foremost, and well deserve my
warmest and most sincere thanks for their hospitality, and the kind
interest which they took in my affairs. Even at the last moment he
seemed happy at having an opportunity of testifying the continuance
of that Christian benevolence with which he hastened to my hut at
the foot of Sneeuwberg; for, learning that I had ordered from a
neighbour and friend of his, named Hendrik Meyntjes, fifteen sheep
as a provision for the journey, and for which I was to have paid two
rixdollars each, he privately interfered with his friend, and on my
preparing to discharge this debt, I was told that I had nothing to
pay: nor could I even discover whether my thanks were due most to
Mr. Kicherer, or to Mr. Meyntjes. So unexpected a gift was truly
gratifying ; because it carried with it, that which only can make a
gift agreeable or acceptable — the pure expression of the giver’s kind
and friendly sentiments.

1812. AT GRAAFFREYNET. 167

To Mrs. Stockenstrom I was indebted for a most useful addition
to my store of beads: these were the more valuable because they
were not, as I found by experience, easily to be purchased at this
distance from Cape Town. They were the remains of some which
the late landdrost had brought to Graaffreynet for the purpose of
distribution among that very nation by whom he was so treacherously
murdered.

From the acting-landdrost and the district-secretary Mr. Muller,
I at all times received civility and attention: from the former I
readily obtained cash for a bill on my agents in Cape Town. Neither
do I forget a voluntary offer made by honest Bremmer, of supplying
me with money for my draft to any amount: knowing that there was
a scarcity of cash at this place, he wished to prove himself desirous of
rendering me a more material service, than the use of the organ.

I indulge myself in acknowledging every act of goodwill towards
me, because in doing this I enjoy a second time, the pleasure which
they first gave me: and if the course and consistency of my narrative,
or the justification of my own proceedings, should compel me some-
times to notice acts of a contrary kind, I hope that every one will do
me the justice to believe that I do so, with pain and great reluctance.

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CHAPTER VI.

RETURN FROM GRAAFFREYNET TO THE BOUNDARY OF THE COLONY.

Aprit 28th. Every preparation for departure being now completed,
Mr. Kicherer assembled his family and servants, to whom were added
some visitors then stopping at his house and part of my own people,
for the purpose of joining in prayers on this occasion. I must have
had neither feeling nor religion, not to have been affected at beholding
an assembly of this kind, on their knees, praying ‘ with one accord’
for my safety and for that of my people, and offering supplications
that we might be shielded from the many dangers to which we were
about to be exposed. When acts of devotion have the effect of
drawing man nearer not only to his Creator, but to his fellow-
creatures, he may feel assured that he possesses true religion. But
who will be so impious and weak as to assert that prayer can be
a useful exercise of the mind, unless it produce both these effects ?
It is not their professions, but the actions and conduct of men,

28 APRIL, 1812. DEPARTURE FROM GRAAFFREYNET. 169

which prove their virtue or their sincerity. It is not the shadow of
forms, but the substance of upright conduct in life, which constitutes
real or practical religion. At the head of human: nature stands the
honest man; at the bottom, the hypocrite.

This ceremony occupied a quarter of an hour; after which I
mustered my party, and sent them forward, with orders to make the
best of their way to Sneeuwberg, and wait for me at Herholdt’s, the
place appointed as our last rendezvous. Jor, Mr. Kicherer had pro-
posed that I should accompany him to the farm of an opulent boor,
named Barend Burgers, his particular friend, and who, at that time,
happened to be on a visit at his house, and had proposed taking us
thither in his paardewagen, promising that he would provide for me
the means of conveyance afterwards to Herholdt’s. To this proposal
there could be no objection, as it gave me an opportunity of seeing
another part of the Snow Mountains, and of acquiring further in-
formation on the affairs of that part of the Colony.

Mr. Oloff Stockenstrom, whose friendly attentions were continued
during the whole time of my residence at Graaffreynet, politely
desired to accompany me a part of the way on my journey, as far as
my hut at the foot of the mountains, where, in so singular a manner,
I first had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with him and
Mr. Menzies.

It was nearly noon, before we took our departure from Graaff-
reynet. In the environs, I passed my men, who, instead of hastening
forward, had been loitering in the village with their friends. These,
knowing that their separation must be for a long period, and not
quite free from the fear of never seeing them again, were as unwilling
to say farewell, as my people were to hear it. I could not therefore
be displeased at their disobedience to my orders, but permitted them
to indulge the feelings of nature, and merely required that they should
take their final leave before the day was too far advanced for travelling
with safety.

The plains which intervene between the Sunday river and the
mountains, were now enlivened with numerous herds of springbucks ;
although none had been observed when we passed here a month

VOL. II. Z

170 SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION.— A WATERFALL. 28, 29 Aprit,

before. This animal, and, indeed, many other species of antelope,
remove from one part of the country to another, and sometimes to
the distance of many day’s-journeys, according to the state of the
pastures, and season of the year.

As I passed my hut, I silently thanked it for the shelter which it
had so opportunely afforded me ; and without which, the fever might
possibly have gained a fatal ascendency.

The heap of manure in the cattle-kraal, which we found burning
at that time; was even now scarcely extinguished. If by any means
the ground of a cattle-pound, which consists entirely of manure,
happen to take fire, it will continue, without producing flame, to burn
for a great length of time, depending only on the quantity of fuel :
nor will rain very easily quench it. The fire generally makes very
slow progress; creeping along the ground, and sometimes beneath
the surface, in a remarkable manner. It is the nitrous salts which so
long support the combustion.

When we ascended the mountain we turned to the west, leaving
my former road on the right, and soon afterwards came to the hut of
Hans Van der Merwe, where we halted to dine. At this place, near
the house, I was shown, as a remarkable circumstance, a deep glen, —
enclosed by rocky cliffs or precipices, in which peach trees grew, as it
were, wild, and sowed themselves: the warm sheltered situation
causing them to bear abundance of fruit.

After this refreshment we resumed our journey, travelling over
a level country, bounded on either hand by mountains of the table-
form already noticed on our former passage over this part of
Sneeuwberg. ‘The waggon halted while I went to examine a waterfall
at a short distance on the left of the road; having just crossed the
stream by which it was supplied. By falling over a perpendicular
precipice of great depth, into a woody glen below, this stream forms
a very singular unbroken cascade, which would have afforded, from
different points of view, several interesting sketches. I was, however,
obliged to content myself with taking that one which best exhibited
its situation and nature.

Our road presented nothing remarkable; or rather, perhaps, the

1812. RAPID TRAVELLING.— VAN HEERDEN’S. — A WHITE CAFFRE. E71

rapid travelling of a vehicle drawn by six horses in hand, left little
time for making remarks of any kind. We flew past every object,
and, hardly had I turned my eyes to any thing remarkable by the
roadside, than it was already behind us. Such expedition was,
indeed, a novelty to me, and very different from the rate to which I
had been accustomed during the last ten months; but, as a traveller
desirous of observing the features and productions of a strange
country, I abhorred galloping horses, and would have preferred
sitting behind a team of my own oxen, whose steady pace seemed to
have been measured exactly to suit an observer and admirer of nature.

Yet, notwithstanding what appeared to me to be great ex-
pedition, it was nine o’clock in the evening before we arrived at
Cootje Van Heerden’s, where we had purposed to pass the night. ‘This
farm house was superior, in most respects, to all which I had hitherto
seen in this quarter, and nearly equal to the best in the Cape
District. It was built on a larger scale, and in a more substantial
manner, than the general class of colonial dwellings, and therefore it
scarcely need be added, that the owner was in affluent circumstances.
My fellow travellers, being the intimate friends of Van Heerden,
were received, and myself also, in the most hospitable manner.
The appearance of the place and its inhabitants, was altogether as
respectable as any I had seen in the colony.

29th. At this farm were many servants: among them a girl
was pointed out to me, whose history was interesting; and who
was, besides, a surprising dusus nature. Her parents were genuine
Caffres, and resided at this farm when she was an infant: on some
occasion they went back to their own country, while their child, under
pretence of being unequal to the fatigues of the journey, was left
at Van Heerden’s. But as they never afterwards returned for her, it
was supposed that her singular appearance had induced them to
desert her. At the time when I saw her, she was sixteen years
old, of a very stout make, and of short stature: in which respect
she was not different from many Caffre girls, whom I saw about
a year afterwards. But the color of her skin, was that of the
fairest European; or, more correctly expressed, it was mere pink

Zz 2

172 COUDVELD. — DEEP SNOW. — BUFFALO RIVER. 29, 30 APRIL,

and white. Or, perhaps, it will be more intelligible to a painter, if I
describe it as being compounded of pure white and a moderate tint
of vermilion, without the admixture of any other color; and there-
fore, not strictly to be called the complexion of a European. Her
hair was exactly of the same woolly nature as that of her country-
women, but it was of a singularly pale hue, nearly approaching to
that which is termed flaxen. Her features, however, were those of a
true Caffre.

Southward from this place, is a very elevated tract of land, called
Coudveld (Cold-land; or the Cold Country), which, seen from a
distance, presents the form of a table-mountain. On the summit of
this, there is a single farm-house ; it was inhabited by a respectable
Dutch widow, who, among her neighbours, passed under the fami-
liar name of Hannah Coudveld. This spot is considered by every
Sneeuwberger, as undoubtedly the coldest place in the whole
colony.

Van Heerden assured me that, at his house, snow had sometimes
fallen in such quantities, that he had seen it lying of the depth of
two feet: but probably this depth is not usual, or, at least, it may
be partly occasioned by drifting winds. The places along the upper
part of the Sea-cow river, are said to be some of the coldest habita-
tions on Sneeuwberg (Sneeberg). That river, in the dry season of
the year, is merely a chain of ponds, called ‘ Zeekoe gatten’ (Seacow,
or Hippopotamus, holes».

Near the house, were the largest ‘ Spanish reeds’ * which I had
observed in any part of the colony: but I do not recollect having
seen the Bamboo, which requires a warmer climate, growing at any
place on the Snow Mountains, or in the Achter-sneeuwberg.

After breakfast we took leave, and, resuming our journey, came
in three quarters of an hour to the Buffels rivier (Buffalo river), the
highest branch of the Camtoos river, one of the larger streams which
flow into the ‘ Cape sea.’ On the banks of the Buffalo river, which
we now crossed three times, I noticed a willow, which appeared to be

* Arundo Donaz L.

1812. BURGER’S FARM ON SNEEUWBERG. 3

of a species different from the willow of the Gariep: the branches
were less drooping, and it was, here at least, a much smaller tree.

Burger’s house stood near to the river, in an open, though not un-
pleasant, situation. The building and the whole establishment were
not only the best on Sneeuwberg, but as far as my recollection serves me,
I have not seen a better farm-house in any district of the colony ; and
no intelligence from this part of the world, would afford me more gra-
tification, than to hear that the Cape settlement had so far advanced in
improvement and riches, that every boor possessed so comfortable and
respectable a dwelling. It was built of red bricks, in the usual
Dutch style of architecture; and it appeared not only externally
neat, but was within exceedingly clean: and, if compared with the
houses of the greater number of farms in this part of the country,
it might seem to deserve the name of palace; although in reality
nothing better than an ordinary English farm-house. The surround-
ing buildings and an excellent garden, rendered this place a little
village of itself, and almost an independent settlement. Here were
separate and complete workshops for, smiths, waggon-makers, and
carpenters; and to these, although not noted in my original journal,
I may, I believe, add, a corn-mill turned by a water-wheel. The
owner, who was a man far advanced in years, was acknowledged as
the greatest sheep-grazier in the colony; a fact which I had no
difficulty in crediting, when assured that he possessed 30,000 sheep,
besides other cattle.

Immediately after our arrival, servants were despatched on
horseback, to apprise the neighbours of the arrival of their minister,
and of his intention of holding a religious meeting on the following
day at this house; and, to invite them to attend. In the evening
all the household together with the slaves and Hottentots of the
farm, were assembled ; when one of the parables of the New Testa-
ment, was explained to them, and commented on, in a manner
suited to the capacities of the latter, for whose instruction more
especially, it was selected.

30th. The whole of my morning was employed in writing letters

174 PRAYER-MEETING. — FROST.— FRIENDLY BOORS. 30 Apait,

to my friends both in England and at the Cape, from whom I had
not for a great length of time received any intelligence.

In the afternoon the house was crowded with neighbours, who
arrived in their waggons, some from a considerable distance, and
none without having come a journey of several hours, Coffee and
other refreshments were handed round: and in the evening, was
held, what is called, an oeffning (or, meeting; as distinguished from
the regular church-service) ; which consisted in alternately reading
and expounding parts of the New Testament, in extemporaneous
prayers, and in singing psalms.

May 1st. Karly this morning, the ground was whitened with.
Jrost. That this was the first which had occurred this season, was
indisputably proved by the circumstance of all the capsicums in the
garden, and which on the preceding day were standing in a flourish-
ing state, being now destroyed by it.

In this family, I found the same friendly disposition, which I
have recorded as having been experienced at the houses of many other
colonists. One of the family, having discovered that some articles
which I had deemed mere luxuries, but which were thought by them
to be absolute necessaries, were not among my travelling stores,
insisted upon adding them to my baggage, although I was fearful of
encreasing its weight or bulk by taking with me any thing which
could be dispensed with.

Among the visitors, was the brother of the Van der Meribdre at
whose house I had stopped on my way over the Snow Mountains.
He kindly undertook to convey me part of the way towards Her-
holdt’s, as far as his son-in-law’s, who, he engaged, would assist me
in proceeding farther.

Before ten o’clock the whole party began to disperse. Mr. Kicherér .
returned to Graaffreynet ; while, at the same time, I took my leave
of the family, and departed in an opposite direction, with Van der
Merwe, in his horse-waggon.

As soon as we arrived at the cottage of his son-in-law, whose
name was Hendrik Lubbe, we found a dinner ready prepared. After

1 May, 1812. THE SHEEP-SKIN COVERLET.— CAPE FURS. 175

we had partaken of it, Van der Merwe continued his journey
homewards, leaving me in the care of Lubbe, who immediately
harnessed six horses to his waggon, for the purpose of carrying me
forward. As my bedding was being put into the vehicle, his wife
perceived that I had no other covering than blankets ; on which she
brought out a schéap-vel kombaars (sheep-skin coverlet), and, to in-
duce me to accept it, she represented, with a solicitude which could
only have proceeded from sentiments of true hospitality, that if I
slept out of doors in the winter-season with blankets only, I should
perish with cold. To this present, she added a bag of salt, an
article which, in the hurry of packing at Graaffreynet, had been
forgotten.

This kombdars*, or coverlet, is a genuine South-African manu-
facture, being nothing more than a Hottentot karéss of large dimen-
sions; but which has been adopted by the boors in every district,
either from necessity or utility, or from both. The African sheep
generally, are covered with fur or hair, instead of wool; and when
these skins are properly dressed and cleaned, and a number of them
sewed together, they form a much warmer covering than could be
made from any other materials. The richer inhabitants, and those
of Cape Town, who can afford themselves more expensive coverings
brought from Europe, affect to dislike the cheaper kombaars, because,
as they say, it smells of mutton. The boor is enabled by his immense
flocks, to select only such as have a smooth fur; and thus, he obtains
a handsome coverlet, so unlike what a European would imagine for
sheep-skins, that it may be doubted whether many persons would
ever guess, from what animal it was made. Those which I have
brought to England, have often been viewed as the skin of some
unknown quadruped.

Few furs can be more beautiful than the selected skins of lambs,
thus prepared: and if prejudice did not stand in the way, I think they
might supplant many which are seen in our furriers’ shops, and with

* This word, agreeably to Colonial pronunciation, would be written by an English-
man, Combdirce.

176 RECEPTION AT OLD JAN VILJOEN’S ; 1 May,

the advantages of being afforded, perhaps, at a far lower price, and of
their white color admitting of being changed by any of the dyes suited
to woollen. Such a branch of commerce might prove not unimportant
to the colonists or to the Colony in general: it might open a new
source of profit, and turn to better account those innumerable flocks,
for the rearing of which, the greater part of that country seems by
nature peculiarly adapted. I would hope that these remarks might
induce some judicious speculative person to pursue the subject farther,
and ascertain to what extent a trade of this kind, may be rendered
lucrative. Since the Cape settlement, it seems, is not so fortunate as
to possess a climate and herbage, like that of New South Wales,
suited for the growth of the finest wools, it may prove equally
favoured in having such as give to its sheep a soft and useful fur.

Hitherto, our road on the Snow Mountains had been level and
tolerably easy ; but after leaving Lubbe’s, it became rough and in some
parts dangerous ; leading along the steep sides of mountains, or over
very rocky and rugged places. From one part of the road we had a
full view of Coudveld. The country became more mountainous, and
the air colder, as we entered the highland track of Sneeuwberg
proper.

It was not till sunset, that we reached the abode of old
Jan Viljoen, where Lubbe was to leave me. He came out of his hut
to receive us; but when my companion informed him that I was so
situated as to require his assistance in proceeding to Elerholdt’s the
next day, he became rather cross and out of humour, and, to my
mortification, told him that he had neither waggon nor oxen at
home. Hearing this, I began to take into consideration the possibi-
lity of going thither on foot, and afterwards sending one of my men
with a pack-ox to fetch my baggage. But, fortunately, Lubbe knew
his neighbour too well to be deceived by him ; and persisted in the
necessity of his helping me forward: he urged that it was the
minister’s particular request to him, and slightly hinted that I carried
a government-letter. Whichever of these considerations might have
had most weight with him, I know not; but fortunately for me, he
at last, and, I am sorry to say, with reluctance, consented to furnish

1812. HIS HOUSE, HIS READING, AND HIS SUPPER. 177

means of conveyance; although he had just declared that he had no
such means in his power.

The place, the house itself, and every thing about it, formed
the greatest possible contrast to what I had seen at Burger’s. The
principal dwelling hardly deserved the name of house; it was a most
forlorn and miserable hovel, about which, nothing could be seen
which bespoke an owner’s care. Every object displayed neglect :
the Hottentot servants, the huts they lived in, and the few out-
buildings, were of a character consistent with the house. This
dwelling was certainly a degree worse than any which I had observed
since re-entering the colony: its inhabitants were, the baas, and his
vrouw (wife) and son, two men, a little boy, and two or three female
servants, all Hottentots, excepting one slave. Its elevated situation
in the midst of lofty mountains, rendered the air extremely cold.

As soon as old Viljoen had a little recovered his usual temper,
and manners, which in their best state were naturally coarse, we
entered the house together, and were offered seats. By degrees, after a
few mutual questions, and some little conversation, we became better
friends ; and he seemed not to think me so obnoxious a visitor, as at
my first introduction I appeared to be. Neither he nor his wife had
any curiosity about my affairs; for which I was not sorry, as it saved
me the trouble of telling my story over again, and allowed me to
take a warmer seat by the fire at the other end of the room; while
he amused himself, and his other guest, with reading a small religious
tract which he had lately obtained ; if, halting at every difficult word ;
taking time to consider the meaning of a sentence; overrunning the
stops; and going back again to find them out ; could be called reading.
Although it may be doubted whether any one but himself, knew a
word of the subject, he now and then turned to his wife or to Lubbe,
and exclaimed, “ Very true!” During all this time, the Hottentots
were quietly sleeping in the chimney corner; excepting two girls
who were busy cooking some mutton.

At length supper was ready, and we sat down to a frugal meal ;
as he had probably forgotten to tell the girls to put a piece more into
the pot on account of his visitors: for, in a country where he could

VOL. II. AA

178 THE BED-ROOM. 1, 2 May,

not have sold his mutton for more than a halfpenny the pound, it
could hardly be supposed that he did so from thriftiness.

This being over, and grace said, he sent the Hottentot boy to
conduct us to our bed-room. There was no waste of compliments on
retiring to rest: and indeed, as the case turned out, his good wishes
for my having a comfortable night’s repose, would all have proved
‘null and void, and of none effect.” We followed the boy out of
doors, and were brought to a place without a window, at one end of
the house, where, pushing open an old door nearly falling off its
hinges, our page said; “ Here is where baas:is to sleep.” At the
first glance I could not distinguish what sort of a den he had put us
into ; it resembled a,coal-hole, both in size and color ; every part, the
walls, and tle roof, which were all it consisted of, were as black as a

‘chimney ; no place could exceed it in dirtiness and in wretchedness
of appearance. At each end we discovered the bedsteads : they were
formed of stakes driven into the ground. Of these I gave Lubbe
his choice, who immediately threw himself down upon his couch;
and Morpheus shortly afterwards strewed his poppies over him. But
it was not so with me: the filthiness of the place was so disgusting
that I felt not the least inclination to sleep; and even if I had, my
fellow-traveller would not have allowed it; for, dreaming, no doubt,
that he was in a pigstye, he very naturally snored in imitation of its
proper inhabitants.

Finding that it was in vain to think of rest, I went out to look
for the boy. There was no returning into the house again: the
doors were fastened, and all were asleep. The moon being exceed-
ingly bright, I attempted to make a sleeping-place in Lubbe’s
waggon ; but as the air was frosty, and the waggon had no tilt, it was
found so extremely cold, that I was glad to remove back into the
black hole again. Fortunately I found the Hottentot, who was not
yet gone to bed; and the poor little fellow well-pleased at having to
wait upon an Englishman, brought some sticks and made me a fire
in one corner of the building. The place we were in, had formerly
been occupied by the slaves and Hottentots of the farm; but was now
used only for the accommodation of ‘ slagter’s knegts’ and visitors.

1812. COMPLAINTS OF A HOTTENTOT BOY. 179

Here I sat nearly the whole of the night, with him for my com-
panion; and as he was both shrewd and communicative, I was for
some time much amused by his remarks, and by his mode of viewing
things. He had discovered from our conversation in the house,
enough to know that I was not a boor; and now, therefore, began to
lay open all his complaints, in the usual Hottentot style. Oud baas,
he said, never gave them enough to eat: a very common complaint
of Hottentots, and often very ill-founded ; although possibly it might,
in the present instance, be the truth exaggerated. Supposing the
interior of Africa to be the country to which I belonged, and that
I was now on my return home, he wished to make one of the party,
and was delighted at the idea of going to a land where there were no
boors ; for, said he, they care nothing for ‘ us black things :’ the two
other Hottentots would, he hinted, be glad to leave their place if
they dared: in short, no one was comfortable. Thus he continued
to run over a long list of grievances.

These are the terms in which this people commonly speak of
the colonists ; but I would recommend that their stories be received
with caution. There may have been formerly, I have little doubt,
sufficient foundation for such; and it may be credited that among
the white population of the colony, there exist even at this time, too
many individuals destitute of a proper feeling towards this race ; but
it should always be remembered that the Hottentots, from having origi-
nally had just cause for complaint, may in later days, by hearing
the tales often repeated, have acquired a habit of inveighing against
the boors. The irregularities, to use a mild term, which have been
committed in this part of the world, are not to be defended ; nor do
they admit of any excuse: but, it may be asked, what would have
been the state of any country in Europe, had society not been kept
in order by the vigilance of proper laws; or what would it now be-
come, if those laws were to be relaxed, and men left to act as they
pleased.

2nd. I experienced from the old man no incivility at parting ; and
certainly he deserves my thanks for relenting, after having determined
to refuse me all assistance. His son yoked six oxen to his waggon ;

AA 2

180 PLATJE’S WIFE AND CHILDREN. 2 May,

and, as it carried no load, we travelled at a quick rate; although
along rugged and steep roads, through the highest and most moun-
tainous part of Sneeuwberg. For a considerable part of the way,
our course was directed towards Spitskop ; and afterwards, by a very
steep descent, we joined my former road, at a few miles southward of
Heérholdt’s, where we arrived before noon. :

This colonist and his wife received me with much hospitality
and attention, and expecting that I should have been accompanied
by the minister, they had made preparations for our accommodation.

Not only the whole of my party were here waiting for me, but
several more than I expected. One was a Hottentot whom I had
rejected at Graaffreynet, and was one of those who had been selected
for me by Maré; so that it was thus clearly proved that the men
intended for my assistance and protection on a long and perilous
journey into unknown countries and among savage nations, were such
as had been thought too useless to be retained at the public works ;
since those whom I had no need of, were turned loose to seek a
master elsewhere. This boy being thus adrift, and finding nobody at
the village willing to employ him, had followed my people in hopes
of being allowed to accompany us; to which step he was encouraged
by my having already consented to receive in the same manner, one
who had not been hired. As a Hottentot of this description would
only have been a trouble to me, I positively forbade his coming.

My party, who were lying at a fire at a little distance before the
house, surprised me at first sight by their number: but on examin-
ation I found that a whole family had joined us, under the thoughtless
supposition, that they would be permitted to remain with us during
the whole journey. These were Platje’s wife and her two eldest
daughters ; besides whom, she had three other children left at Graaff-
reynet. As I already knew by experience that such people would be
a heavy encumbrance, independently of the greater difficulty of
finding food for so useless an addition, and who could not assist in
providing for themselves, I refused my consent to their coming,
although Platje pleaded for them, and assured me that they could bear
the fatigues of the journey, as well as the men. But this affair was

1812, CHARACTER OF TRUY. 181

ultimately arranged to the satisfaction of all parties; as Herholdt
offered to receive them into his service and take care of them, on
condition that Platje should consider himself as hired to him, from
the day when he should be released from his engagement with me.

The other new-comers were Juli’s wife, and her child only three
months old. At first he was told that she could not be allowed to
follow us beyond the boundary, and, notwithstanding the earnestness
with which he begged permission for her, I considered it would be
folly to take a woman with so young an infant, on an expedition of
this kind; of the real nature of which, my new men seemed not
sufficiently aware; although I had explicitly told them that it most
probably would not be free from danger and great fatigue. He then
solicited that she might go as far as Klaarwater, and promised that
she should be left there during our journey farther into the Interior.
The poor creature herself, looked so anxious while I was considering
the reply, and there was something in her countenance so innocent
and mild, and so expressive of goodness, that I could no longer
refuse to grant, what I saw would make them both happy, and render
them perhaps more contented in my service.

Her name was T’ruij.* She was a genuine Hottentot, although
perfectly ignorant of -that language, and was, like her husband,
acquainted with none but the Dutch. She was of small and very
delicate form, with hands and feet of those neat proportions, for
which the women of the Hottentot and Bushman nations are
remarkable. For her child, whom she had named Windvogel, she
appeared to possess the greatest maternal affection. All that I have
said on the good qualities and fidelity of her husband, might here be
repeated of hers, which if weighed impartially, would I think pre-
ponderate. “I should do this good creature injustice, if I did not
declare, that it isnot in my power to point out a fault in her character ;
or at least, I never had, during all the time of her being in my ser-

* Trijj, or as it was here commonly pronounced, 7rdéy, is the familiar name for

Geertruyda or Gertrude.

182 BUSHBOY REGAINED.— GERMAN AND LANDDROST. 2—5 May,

vice, the least reason for saying one angry word to her; and of this,
she often used to boast when speaking in praise of her master. But
it was not at this time, that I knew her worth, or that of her hus-
band; and I regret that the present volume will not comprise that
period of my journal, which would best display it.

I was exceedingly rejoiced, and surprised, at seeing Little Mager-
man amongst the party. He had been found at the house of Piet
Van der Merwe, who, happening to meet the boy after he ran away,
and recollecting that he belonged to me, kindly took him home, with
the intention of restoring him on my return; and in the mean time,
had employed him in tending sheep. The boy being well fed and
housed, and feeling assured that we should pass that way, had re-
mained there very contentedly, without ever attempting to escape.
My men had, in consequence of his former invitation, taken up their
night’s lodging at Van der Merwe’s ; who treated them as hospitably
as before, and delivered the boy into their hands. Thus, by recover-
ing him, I felt relieved of much anxiety, as I could now without
fear, venture to pass again through his father’s kraal.

Although the party had been sent off with a sufficient stock of
meat, I found my little. flock of sheep reduced to thirteen, and the
people just finishing the second, which had been killed and eaten on
the road. Their account was, that some dogs had bitten one to
death, and the second accidentally had its leg broken by the shepherd
throwing a keeri (or stick) for the purpose of turning it.

The German who was to meet me at this place, came directly
he heard that I was arrived. He declared that he had now given
up all intention of going with us; for, as soon as the acting-land-
drost knew of his having left Graaffreynet, he sent a messenger,
who overtook him on Sneeuwberg, and informed him that ‘ if he
crossed the colonial boundary, the /anddrost would seize and confiscate
all his property.’ This would have been an extraordinary, and I
think, illegal, stretch of power: at least, the boors on the northern
borders are in the habit of infringing the regulation against passing
over the boundary, without being visited with confiscation or without
any notice being taken of the fact. Besides which, I carried a formal

1812. THE PARTY ENUMERATED. 183

permission from the government, for myself and all my people, to go
beyond the limits of the settlement. However ; as the case was, I
shall not say that I complain; because, it might probably have been
the more prudent resolution, to pursue my travels without adding
any white person to my party, as some suspicions, which I could not
wholly lay aside, but which were rather strengthened by what I heard
at this place, had been raised in my mind.

3rd. Of Herholdt, I purchased three horses, chosen out of a stud
of forty colts, none of which had been broken in. Of these, one was
for Van Roye and another for Cornelis. I also bought a musket in
addition, as I had several men who must remain unarmed till we
reached my waggons.

The people set out early in the morning, while Herholdt
hospitably detained me to dinner: after which, he drove me in his
paardewagen to Vermeiilen’s. At this place we were all received with
the same disinterested and friendly treatment as before; and I had
the satisfaction of thanking the owner himself, as he was now returned
from the ‘ commando.’ *

4th. Here we took our last leave of the colonists; as I intended,
if possible, to avoid the dwelling of Jacob Van Wyk, that I might not
again give that family an opportunity of showing disrespect to an
Englishman. |

The party, as far as Klaarwater, now consisted of fifteen men,
one woman and her child, four horses, eight oxen, thirteen sheep,
nineteen dogs, besides two puppies of an excellent breed, given me
at Graaffreynet by Mrs. Maritz.

We advanced this day as far as Groote Fontein, a day’s-journey
of above nineteen miles. Here we took up our quarters in the
unoccupied farm-house, as the weather at night was extremely
chilling.

5th. Having from day to day, during our journey into the colony,
laid down my track upon paper, I was, by these means, enabled to

* The engraving at page 168. is a representation of Vermeulen’s humble, but hos-
pitable, dwelling; and of the mountain called Kleine Tafelberg.

184 SPITSKOP. — LAST COLONIAL HABITATION. 5, 6 May,

discover that our course would be more direct, if we kept more to
the eastward of that track, leaving Geranium Rocks to the left.

Accordingly we quitted our former road, at Pond Station, and
proceeded across a plain of a mile and a half; at the termination of
which I halted to take the bearings of Spitskop * and Groote Tafelberg,
which were both in sight. These, but more especially the former,
will be found of great. use whenever a survey is made of this part of
the colony, as they are too remarkable to be mistaken, and can be
seen in different directions, from a very great distance.

At the distance of an hour and a half farther, we passed a farm
named Wortel Fontein (Carrot Fountain); but none of its inhabitants:
had any communication with us. At about six miles and a quarter
beyond this, we found the last colonial habitation on our road; and
as no one was residing here at this season, we took possession of the
empty house.

So large a party occasioned a rapid consumption of our stock of
provisions, and we were obliged to kill a sheep, which, had we waited
half an hour longer, we might have spared. For Keyser, desirous of
proving that he was a good marksman, had immediately on our
halting, taken his gun to go in search of game, and soon returned to
let us know that he had shot a quakka. This circumstance was
doubly pleasing, as, besides giving us a large supply of meat, it showed
that this Hottentot had at least one useful qualification.

I climbed the rocky hill close behind the house, to get a view of
the country and take some bearings for the construction of my map,
and was pleased at distinguishing on the horizon, the Bushman Table-
Mountain near Kraaikop’s Kraal, although at the distance of not less
than sixty-seven miles by the road. This remark is a sufficient proof,

=

* The vignette at the end of this chapter, represents the mountain of Spztskop, or the
Peak of Sneewwberg, as viewed from the south-east, at the distance of about twenty miles
in a direct line. The sketch from which this engraving has been made, was taken about
eleven months afterwards when on my final return into the Colony. The intervening
country here shown, consists of lofty rugged mountains, which appear to shut in one
behind the other, and above which, this lofty and remarkable mountain stands highly

pre-eminent.

»

1812. THE COLONIAL BOUNDARY. 185

and indeed the best that could be had, of the open, and generally
level, nature of the intervening country.

6th. The only stranger who came near us, was a Hottentot
shepherd belonging to some boor, whose place, he said, was not far
off. This man was therefore the last person whom we saw belonging
to the colony.

After travelling about ten miles from Elands Fountain, we con-
sidered that we had crossed the boundary of the Colony, a line very
ill-defined, especially along the northern border, and marked by no
appearance which can inform the traveller precisely when he has
quitted the settlement, or when he enters the wild country of the
Bushmen; both being equally wild, and, excepting immediately
around the boors’ dwellings, equally destitute of every trace of culti-
vation or human labor.

d

VOL. Il. BB

CHAPTER. VII.

RETURN FROM THE COLONY, THROUGH THE COUNTRY OF THE BUSHMEN, TO
KLAARWATER.

Tue first occurrence after quitting the Colony, was that of meeting
with the friendly river so often mentioned on our former journey ;
and as it appeared by the map which I had then made, to run in a
direction sufficiently near to what would have been our shortest road
homewards, I resolved to follow it the whole way, and not to incur,
with so many people and cattle, the risk of suffering from want of
water, by attempting any other more direct course.

Just before sunset we arrived and unpacked at an excellent
spring of water, surrounded by abundance of reeds. It was known
to Platje, who had once formerly visited it on a hunting excursion
with a boor in whose service he then was, and who at this place
administered a flogging to his slave named Nieuwejaar (New-year) ;
on which account this spot, is called by the Hottentots Miewwejaars
fontein.

6, 7 May, 1812. HALFWAY SPRING. 187

7th. At about eleven miles beyond this spring, we joined our
former track; and a little more than six miles farther, we passed
Rhenoster poort (Rhinoceros Pass). It was dark before we arrived
at the Halfway Spring : here we conveniently stationed ourselves for
the night, and made use of our shelter of reeds, which we found re-
maining just in the state in which we had left it.

My new men, who were all utter strangers to the following part
of the journey, and to whom the existence of a kraal of Colonial
Hottentots in this direction, was hitherto unknown, seemed much
pleased at an opportunity of learning the way to it, and took great
interest in our daily progress. Some indeed were a little inclined to
fear, at thus venturing into the heart of a country which had always
been reported as unsafe for a colonist; but my other people now
boldly talked of the Bushmen and their friend Kaabi, in so familiar
a tone, that these fears were soon quieted ; yet they often expressed
their surprise that we could have found any means of gaining the
good-will of a race of savages, whom they had been accustomed to
look upon as the greatest scoundrels in Africa.

Not one of the natives had yet approached us, although we
were certain that we had been seen by them, as two were observed
at a distance by some of our party who had straggled from the main
body. Their absence was occasioned by our numbers being so much
greater than before, that they at first feared it might be a commando
sent in search of stolen cattle; and our increased number of horses
strengthened that suspicion. |

A troop of horsemen is the most alarming sight which can present
itself to a kraal of Bushmen in an open plain, as they then give
themselves up for lost, knowing that under such circumstances, there
is no escaping from these animals. ‘Their conscience allows them
little hope of mercy; as they feel aware, that by their repeated
incursions and robberies, they have given the colonists sufficient
excuse for treating them with severity, and that their own plea of re-
taliation, or revenge for former injuries, is now turned against
themselves.

We had no doubt that, when they had fully reconnoitred us

BB 2

188 RETURN TO 7—9 May,

from the tops of the hills, and had clearly ascertained who we were,
they would come to us as gladly as before ; and on this subject I was
not under the least uneasiness, as my little Bushman protegé was
now with me, and would at any time give notice to his countrymen
that we were friends. Had they not at first, mistaken us for boors,
we should have been visited by them, the moment we entered their
country. '

My Graaffreynet people were. greatly encouraged when I
announced to them the name I had given to this spring, and the
certainty of our having advanced half way to Klaarwater; as all,
excepting Van Roye and Cornelis, were obliged to travel on foot a
great part of the way, and it was only now and then, that they could
be relieved by changing places with the ox-riders. The woman with
her child, however, was always allowed to ride, either on my horse,
or on one of the oxen; and occasionally I dismounted, and gave up
my seat to one or other of the people who appeared most fatigued.
It will be seen, therefore, on looking over the Itinerary, that we in
general made, what under such circumstances must be considered,
long days-marches. We had this day advanced more than twenty-
five miles, notwithstanding all impediments and many stoppages
occasioned by our baggage getting frequently out of order.

8th. The confidence which my Klaarwater party had gained by
their former friendly reception among the Bushmen, was very re-
markable. As an instance of this, Speelman, accompanied only by
Platje, set out early this morning, that they might reach Kraaikop’s
kraal before the rest, and give notice of our approach.

After a march of above nineteen miles, we arrived at the kraal,where
its inhabitants rejoiced to see us again, and greeted us as old friends.
The father of the Bushboy soon made his appearance and seemed most
happy at finding his son safely returned. What account the boy
gave of his adventures, I could not possibly learn; but he was grown
so much fatter since he first joined our party, that it was not neces-
sary for him to tell his countrymen that he had been well treated.
He was of very sedate and modest manners, and seldom indulged in
open mirth and laughter ; probably because he had little opportunity

1812. _ KRAAIKOP’S KRAAL. —- 189

of conversing freely in his own language: but, after the anxiety I had
suffered on his account, it afforded me the greatest gratification to
observe the brightness of his countenance, at his return home,
and his smiling happy looks. When I reflected on the misunder-
standing and possible consequences which might have ensued from
our not bringing him back with us, I regarded it as providential
good-fortune, that he had been intercepted in his flight, by an honest
boor, and by his means placed again in our hands.

As the people of the kraal informed us that the spring, which
supplied them with water, was at a considerable distance farther, I
judged it most convenient to proceed thither. The chief sent some
of his men to guide us; for without that assistance we should cer-
tainly not have found it that night, as it lay about two miles and a
quarter northward in the open plain. ‘The reasons which they gave,
for pitching their huts so far from any water, were, I think, such as
could be imagined only by a nation like the Bushmen ; — the com-
‘mandoes of boors in search of stolen cattle, would not so easily find
them out in their present situation; while, by being at a distance
from the spring, they not only escaped the annoyance of lions and
beasts of prey, but they left the water open for the use of other
animals, so that they often had an opportunity of shooting game,
by lying there in ambush.

It was quite dark when we arrived at the spring. As the
Hottentots were much fatigued, and desirous of retiring early to rest,
I was not sorry that the natives did not follow us to our halting-
place. Their visit was reserved till the morning, which was the time
I had appointed for making the distribution of tobacco.

9th. My new stock enabled me to give more liberally than I had
done on my former visit, and the whole kraal were rendered as happy
as before. .

When I mentioned to them, that the hoors laid heavy com-
plaints against their nation for coming into the colony and com-
mitting so many robberies, they cunningly replied, that they knew
other kraals did so, but as for them, they never stole cattle from any
body, but were content to live always on game and wild roots. I

190 TRAVELLING IN A TRACKLESS COUNTRY. 9, 10 May,

must however, beg old Crowhead’s pardon, for strongly doubting the
truth of his declaration; but as this was no affair of mine, and I
could do the colonists no actual good by preaching to these people
against stealing, 1 thought it more prudent to leave him under the
supposition that I believed him to be a very honest man.

At noon we bade these poor creatures farewell; and took a
course across the plain in a direction intended to bring us to our
former resting-place at Quakka Station. There were very few objects
in the country around, sufficiently remarkable to have guided any
but men accustomed to traverse pathless deserts; yet from the cha-
racter of different parts of these plains, and some distant low moun-
tains, we were enabled to find our way without deviation, exactly to
the place we wished ; although there was neither bush, nor hillock,
to mark its position, nor any thing by which it could be recognised
at a distance. As we approached the place, we had various opinions
whether we should find the same spot again, but most of the
Hottentots felt assured that we should not miss it; and I was as
much pleased as surprised, when the result proved how direct had
been the course which we had steered. We found the remains of
our fires, and the bushes which had formed our shelter two months
before: but there were evident proofs of much rain having fallen
here since that time. On the way we fortunately fell in with an
ostrich’s nest containing ten eggs, a prize which always afforded us
an agreeable and wholesome change of food.

10th. Speelman and Juli had yesterday separated from the rest,
for the purpose of hunting, and had, though on horseback, been
absent the whole night. But Juli came home this morning with the
agreeable information, of their having shot a large male kanna (or
eland), which he had left in the plain at a considerable distance
northward and a few miles to the right of our course. They had
also fallen in with two lions, but had wisely declined having any
dealings with them.

We therefore immediately packed up our baggage, and departed,
under his guidance. The day was exceedingly pleasant, and not a
cloud was to be seen. For a mile or two, we travelled along the

1812. RENCOUNTER WITH A BLACK LION. 191

banks of the river, which in. this part abounded in tall mat-rushes.
The dogs seemed much to enjoy prowling about and examining
every bushy place, and at last met with some object among the
rushes, which caused them to set up a most vehement and determined
barking. We explored the spot with caution, as we suspected from
the peculiar tone of their bark that it was, what it proved to be, lions.
Having encouraged the dogs to drive them out, a task which they
performed with great willingness, we had a full view, of an enormous
black-maned lion, and a lioness. The latter, was seen only for a
minute, as she made her escape up the river, under concealment of the
rushes ; but the lion came steadily forward and stood still to look at us,
At this moment we felt our situation not free from danger, as the ani-
mal seemed preparing to spring upon us, and we were standing on
the bank at the distance of only a few yards from him, most of us
being on foot and unarmed, without any visible possibility of escap-
ing. I had given up my horse to the hunters and was on foot my-
self; but there was no time for fear, and it was useless to attempt
avoiding him. Poor Truy was in great alarm ; she clasped her infant
to her bosom, and screamed out, as if she thought her destruction
inevitable, calling anxiously to those who were nearest the animal,
Take care! Take care! In great fear for my safety, she half-insisted
upon my moving farther off: I however, stood well upon my guard,
holding my pistols in my hand, with my finger upon the trigger ;
and those who had muskets kept themselves prepared in the same
manner. But at this instant, the dogs boldly flew in between us and
the lion, and surrounding him, kept him at bay by their violent and
resolute barking. The courage of these faithful animals, was most
admirable: they advanced up to the side of the huge beast, and
stood making the greatest clamor in his face, without the least ap-
pearance of fear. The lion, conscious of his strength, remained un-
moved at their noisy attempts, and kept his head turned towards us.
At one moment, the dogs perceiving his eye thus engaged, had
advanced close to his feet, and seemed as if they would actually
seize hold of him; but they paid dearly for their imprudence, for
without discomposing the majestic and steady attitude in which he

192 EMBLEM OF TRUE COURAGE. 10—12 May, _

stood fixed, he merely moved his paw, and at the next instant, I
beheld two lying dead. In doing this, he made so little exertion,
that it was scarcely perceptible by what means they had been killed.
Of the time which we had gained by the interference of the dogs,
not a moment was lost; we fired upon him; one of the balls went
through his side just between the short ribs, and the blood immediately
began to flow; but the animal still remained standing in the same

position. We had now no doubt that he would spring upon us; -

every gun was instantly reloaded ; but happily we were mistaken, and
were not sorry to see him move quietly away ; though I had hoped,
in a few minutes to have been enabled to take hold of his paw without
danger.

This was considered by our party to be a lion of the largest size,
and seemed, as I measured him by comparison with the dogs, to be,
though less bulky, as large as an ox. He was certainly as long in
body, though lower in stature; and his copious mane gave him a
truly formidable appearance. He was of that variety which the
Hottentots and boors distinguish by the name of the black lion, on
account of the blacker colour of the mane, and which is said to be
always larger and more dangerous than the other which they call the
pale lion, (vaal leeuw.) Of the courage of a lion, I have no very high
opinion, but of his majestic air and movement, as exhibited by this
animal, while at liberty in his native plains, I can bear testimony.
Notwithstanding the pain of a wound of which he must soon after-
wards have died, he moved slowly away with a stately and measured
step.

At the time when men first adopted the lion as the emblem of
courage, it would seem that they regarded great size and strength as
indicating it; but they were greatly mistaken in the character they
have given to this indolent skulking animal, and have overlooked a
much better example of true courage, and of other virtues also, in the
bold and faithful dog.

As its skin could not have been brought away, all our oxen being
already overloaded, I did not think it worth while to pursue the beast
till we had killed it; and judged it much wiser not to run the risk

1812. OXEN UNABLE TO PROCEED. 193

of losing any of my men, especially for an object to which we were
led neither by necessity nor advantage.

After a march of above twelve miles, we arrived at the place
where the kanna lay: it was in the middle of a plain covered with
low scattered bushes. Here we found Speelman, who had remained
to guard the carcass and prevent its being devoured by vultures, of
which great numbers were discoverable hovering at an immense
- height in the air, and sailing round in circles directly above the spot.
This place is distinguished therefore, upon the map, by the name of
Vulture Station.

We were soon afterwards joined by a party of natives, the greater
number of whom were women, removing with their oxen, sheep,
goats, and the materials of their huts, to Kaabi’s Kraal.

11th. We had with us seventeen Bushmen, some of whom made
themselves useful in lending their assistance to cut up the eland-
meat, for which service they and the whole party were, as usual,
well paid in meat and tobacco.

At noon, when we began to pack up, we discovered that the
backs of some of the oxen, but more particularly of that which
carried my baggage, were become so sore, and galled by their
loads, that we found them unable to proceed. This inconvenience
was the more serious in its consequences, as it would, by travelling,
grow-every day worse. In this dilemma, I despatched two of the
Bushmen to my friend Kaabi, from whose kraal I supposed we were
not more than a day’s journey, to beg that he would lend me two of
his pack-oxen.

In the mean time I sent five of my men out hunting, that I might
be enabled to make him a handsome present of game. They were
not, however, successful, though the whole plain was covered with
the foot-marks of antelopes and other wild beasts which were seen
on all sides. Amongst these the lions made constant havoc; and
at night the cries and moans of an eland, which we heard one of
them devouring close by our station, awoke me in the middle of
my sleep.

12th. In the morning, one of the Bushmen fetched away the

VOL. Il cc

194 VULTURES. 12, 13 May;

remains of the lion’s supper; which, however, was little more than
the legs. It was therefore probable that more than one lion had
feasted upon the carcass or that a pack of jackals and hyenas, or the
vultures, had finished the rest.

The hunters set out early ; and it was not long before they had
shot an eland. These unfortunate animals were not allowed to rest
in safety either day or night, and were now pursued by more
formidable enemies than lions. Their flesh being, as before remarked,
much superior in taste and in fatness, to nearly all other kinds of
game, they were always, by preference, chased by the Hottentots,
while other animals were passed by unmolested.

The vultures, attracted from afar by the smell of so much meat,
descended in great numbers, and walked around us at the distance of
one or two hundred yards, with as much ease and familiarity as oxen
or sheep. Accustomed as they are, to feed in society with beasts of
prey, they appeared very little disturbed by the presence of our dogs,
which sometimes, as if the birds had been merely strange dogs, ran to
drive them away from the offal, which they considered as belonging
exclusively to themselves.

Of these birds I observed five distinct species, but not having
shot any, I am unable to describe them with certainty. They some-
times approached so near, that, besides the two already noticed *, I ~
could distinguish two others, as being new, and probably undescribed
species; and which I never afterwards met with again. They both
equalled, as well as I could, judge under such circumstances, the
largest of the African vultures. One was entirely white, and the bare
skin of its neck, white also: this might possibly be the female of the
following species: of which I made a sketch. This latter was of a
sooty black plumage; the naked skin of the neck was of a pale rose
color; and the top of the head was covered with feathers of the
same color as that of the wings and other parts of the body. Its

* Vultur percnopterus, at page 338, and the large black vulture at page 377, of the
first volume.

1812. AN OLD BUSHWOMAN. 195

beak was straight and long as in the Percnopterus, and the end of it
was hooked and orange-coloured.*

One of the old Bushwomen was so characteristic a specimen of her
nation at that age, that I made her sit for her portrait. This was no
inconvenience to her, as she naturally sat like an inanimate mass.
She scarcely, indeed, looked like a human being: a rough sheep-skin
kaross, only served to give her a more shapeless appearance ; and
eyes so sunken as hardly to be visible, together with large clots of
red ochre hanging over and covering her forehead, gave to her
miserable dirty wrinkled visage, the strongest character of poverty
wretchedness and neglect.

The two Bushmen, whom I sent off yesterday at about one
o'clock in the afternoon, had made such surprising expedition, that
at four o’clock this day, they returned with the two oxen; having
travelled on foot a distance of sixty miles within fifteen hours; from
which is to be subtracted the time required for their meals and rest.
They were accompanied by four of their countrymen, who came with
a request from Kaabi that I would send him some tobacco. As soon
as they received this, and had hastily taken some refreshment, they
started again, to return home.

I was now informed that Kaabi and all his people had for the
present removed their kraal from where I first saw it, to a distance of
several miles farther northward. Here they were expecting us, and
accordingly sent word that they wished me to deviate from our old
track along the river, that we might take this new kraal in our way.

13th. With the addition to my own party, of the people and
cattle who were removing to join Kaabi, we formed a strong caravan,
and perhaps as motley and singular a group as ever could be formed
into a picture. The whole affair appeared so curious and strange,
and the circumstances so unlike every thing English, that, happening

* Vultur pileatus, B.
Totus fuliginoso-niger. Colli pars superior nuda pallidé rosea. Caput pennatum
nigrum. Rostrum capite multo longius, rectum, apice adunco aurantiaco. Species inter

majores.
ce 2

196 A STONY PLAIN.—BUSHMAN SIGNAL. —RIIZO. 13, 14 May,

in the midst of all this, toturn my thoughts back to my own country,
I seemed for a few moments to believe that I was only in a dream ;
and that the scene before me was one of those inconsistent medleys
of ideas, which are often produced by a wandering imagination.

The first part of this day’s-march was through a country covered
with low mountains and rocky hills. Under the guidance of the
Bushmen, we next proceeded over a large and rugged plain; and
afterwards ascended to a higher level, on which, after travelling two
or three miles farther, we found a pond of water; and, as it was
already dark, halted there for the night. Kaabi’s new kraal was not
more than an hour and a half beyond this place, yet it would have been
unsafe, in the midst of lions then beginning their nightly prowl, to
have travelled at that hour with so many cattle; as the dread of
these destructive beasts, would certainly have thrown them into con-
fusion, and scattered or destroyed our baggage. We had marched,
according to estimation, twenty-five miles and a half, and the greater
part of which being over ground profusely covered with large loose
stones, most of my Graaffreynet people were much fatigued.

As soon as we arrived, the Bushmen made, upon the heights,
three fires at the distance of about sixty yards apart, and forming an
equilateral triangle. ‘These were intended as some private signal,
either to let their friends in the surrounding country, know that we
were approaching, or to signify that our fires were those of friends,
and consequently, to prevent any hostile attack upon us in the dark.
I have therefore marked this spot by the name of Three-fires Station.

14th. This morning so many visitors continued arriving, that
we were at length surrounded by a large crowd, whom we found to
be nearly the whole of Kaabi’s people. Among them I was glad to
see Riizo; and he appeared equally gratified at meeting us again.
These natives came merely for the pleasure of seeing us, and of telling
us that they were glad at our having returned into their country.
They assisted us in packing our oxen, and we then moved on
together in a numerous body.

The distance being but little more than four miles, we reached
the kraal in less than an hour and a half; where I was greeted by

1812. NOISY REJOICINGS OF THE CROWD. 197

Kaabi and many others whom I personally knew, with happy friendly
countenances.

As I had promised to bring them more tobacco at my return, I
was immediately surrounded by the crowd, who looking upon me now
as an old friend, laid aside all timidity and restraint ; and gave loose
to the most ridiculous manifestation of their pleasure, when they saw
me about to distribute this precious gift. They pushed in amongst
one another with heedless eagerness to get near to me, and pressed
each other so closely that neither I nor the chief had room to move,
and my clothes began to assume the same red color as theirs. The
lively clamor which the crowd sent forth, prevented all attempts at
speaking, and rendered it impossible for any one to gain a hearing :
each one, but more particularly the women, endeavoured to out-do
the rest, in the noisy expression of their joy, and I could have fancied
myself in the midst of a crowd of happy children to whom I was
about to make presents of toys and sugarplums. Kaabi raised his
voice and spoke to them; but he was not heard: all that he could
do, was to smile, and wait patiently till this sudden ebullition of joy
had subsided. My new men seemed astonished at such a familiar,
and to them unusual, reception from Bushmen. At length, finding
the noise and confusion too great to suffer me to make a regular dis-
tribution myself, I announced that their chieftain had undertaken to
give to each one his due share; and accordingly I delivered to him
the whole quantity of tobacco which I had previously laid apart for
our friends at this kraal.

These people were now possessed of large herds of cattle; and
when asked how they had so suddenly become rich, the only explan-
ation they gave was, that they had received them from another kraal.
That they were stolen, I had no doubt; and Keyser even assured me
that he knew the greater part of the oxen to be some which belonged
to a boor named Cobus Pretorius, living on Sneeuwberg. I counted
forty ; but my men afterwards observed ten more; and besides these,
a flock of about two hundred sheep.

The policy of this kraa/, had induced them to station themselves
at a distance of five miles from any water, in an open situation which

198 KAABI’S NEW KRAAL. 14 May,

was somewhat concealed from distant view, by a low surrounding
ridge of hills. (See the fourth plate.*) I employed the afternoon in
making drawings of the scene; together with portraits of Kaabi, of a
young woman and her child, and several other sketches. Among the
people of this kraal, I observed one woman with very red, or carroty
hair; and have since seen in different tribes of Bushmen, other
instances of this color; but they were not frequent. Grey hair is
equally a rarity.

The vignette at the head of this chapter represents the arms of
the Bushmen. From a strap which passes over one shoulder, are sus-
pended the quiver, the bow, and the kirri (keeri) in the manner there
seen. Behind these, are shown an arrow and the upper half of a
hassagay ; all drawn to the same proportion, the bow being usually
between three and four feet long, sometimes shorter, but rarely longer.
The bowstring is always formed of catgut or the twisted entrails of
some animal. The bow itself is made not always of the same sort of '

* The Auts represented in this plate, are constructed of mats (Vol. I. p.114. 263.) made
of rushes, in the manner shown in a former plate (pl. 7. Vol. I. p.325.) and more particularly
described in a preceding part of this volume. (p. 55. and 56.) The Bushmen of the
Cisgariepine most commonly paint their mats lengthwise with stripes of red-ochre. The
outermost figure on the left, will give an idea of the appearance of a Bushman as he is
usually equipped for travelling, having his bow, quiver, hassagay and kirri. Before him
is a representation of one of their dogs, (p.56.) which are of a race perhaps peculiar to
these tribes. Hassagays and sticks, when not in use, are most frequently stuck in the
ground by the side of the hut. This plate exhibits, not only the particular view of the
spot, but the ordinary appearance of a Bushman Kraal, and the genuine domestic state of
its inhabitants, such as they are in their proper and original mode. In this picture, there-
fore, the number of figures and their occupations, are only those which are consistent with
this intention, and ie no reference to the unusual and busy scene which this kraal
became in consequence of my arrival among these people. The nearest figure in the .
middle of the picture, is that of a man returning home from hunting, eae a fawn or
young antelope at his back. To the left of him, are two men, and a woman having her
child in her arms, sitting in front of their hut, a very common manner of spending their
time in fine weather: other parties of the same kind are seen at the other huts. Most of
the figures have leathern caps of various forms accordirg to the fancy of the maker or wearer.
The outermost figure on the right is a man returning from the neighbouring spring with
an ostrich-egg shell filled with water. On the left of him, and close to the hut in the fore-
ground, may be seen one of those sticks already described (p- 29.) as being loaded with a
perforated globular stone for the purpose of digging up various eatable mal roots. The
soil here is “af a reddish color, and scantily covered with herbage and low bushes.

ae

— =
.

*

.

: x 7
gn nh ma nt re tl ee
= ame

a 4 a sn 1 T=

— et 4 %. 5
7 = - o
_— ——

—

)s ¢ y Fe

: 74 Yet :
tl” Cf @&@ Dustin! CNA a

a,

1812. ARMS OF THE BUSHMEN. 199

wood, as the materials vary according to the country in which the
kraal resides: that from which the figure was taken, was of the wood
of a species of Tarchonanthus from the Transgariepine. The karree-
tree (Rhus viminale) is most generally used for this purpose. The
quiver is usually made of some thick hide, as of the ox, or the kanna;
but the natives more towards the western coast, frequently use the
branches of the Aloé dichotoma, which is therefore called by the
Hottentots and Colonists, kokerboom or quiver-tree. The hassagay is
not made by themselves: these weapons are either purchased from
the Caffres, or derived from the Bichuanas by means of barter from
one kraal to another.

The arrow is so purely a Bushman manufacture, that the sur-
rounding tribes, often procure them from this nation, as being better
arrow-makers than themselves : and I much doubt whether in fact these
weapons are ever made by the Bachapins. The shaft is made from
the common African reed, and at each end is neatly bound round with
sinew, to prevent splitting. The head consists principally of a long
piece of bone cut very smoothly to fit exactly into the reed, so as to
remain fast without being absolutely fixed. The length of the whole
arrow is generally between eighteen and twenty-two inches. At the
end of this chapter may be seen, of their natural size, the figures of
arrow-heads of various forms. ‘They are tipped with a thin triangular
piece of iron made exceedingly sharp at the edges. Immediately
below this, is a thick coating of the gummy poisonous compound,
already described *; and in this poison, is placed a barb made from
a piece of quill. The whole of the head is separate from the shaft,
and is made merely to fit into it ; sothat neither man, nor animal, can
draw it out of the wound by means of the reed, which in the flight, may
drop off, while the head will still be left buried in the flesh. Some-
times the head consists only of the bone, without the piece of iron,
and it is then made very sharp and slender, and is also covered with
the poison: when the arrows of this form are not immediately wanted,

* In the first volume at page 539.

200 ARROW-HEADS. — ROUTE WITHOUT WATER. 14, 15 May,

the poisonous point is turned inwards into the reed. The bone of
the leg of the ostrich, is the most esteemed material, yet other bones
are as commonly used for the purpose. ‘The shape and make of
these heads, though essentially the same, vary in some trifling par-
ticulars, according to different tribes. *

On my requesting Kaabi to lend me four pack-oxen to assist
in carrying my baggage as far as the Gariep, he immediately, and
with great willingness, promised that I should have them on the
morrow.

Judging from my former track, as it appeared upon paper, that
we might reach the Gariep by taking a course directly across the
country, I consulted with him respecting the probability of finding
water by the way. His opinion was, that there was no impediment to
travelling directly northward from this kraal, as the country was
open, but we should not find any water; and that it was safest for
us to follow that river the waters of which we had so long drunk. 1
therefore resolved to follow his advice; yet I discovered afterwards,
that the natives, at least, can traverse that tract, and consequently
must know where to find springs by the way ; though it would be
too great a risk for a large party of strangers and cattle, situated as
we were, to venture on such an uncertain route. Notwithstanding
this, Kaabi’s advice was most probably given with reference to our
circumstances ; as he might know that there would not be water
enough for so many mouths; as our dogs, horses, and oxen would
require perhaps a larger quantity than those springs could supply.

At night there was dancing in one of the huts, the same as

* In the engraving at the end of this chapter, the upper figure shows the arrowhead
taken out of the shaft or reed, part of which is seen on the right. The thicker and
darker part under the triangular tip of iron, is the poison, at the bottom of which is the
quill-barb: the rest is bone. The second figure is a bone-head without the iron tip, and
in this the poison is layed on the thinner part, Of the three mzddle figures; that on the
right represents the lower end of the arrow, or that which is applied to the string: that on
the left explains the manner in which the piece of iron is fixed into the bone. The
above figures are taken from arrows used by the Bushmen visited in these travels: the
three lower ones are from those used in Little, and Great, Namaqualand.

1812. THE BUSHMEN ALARMED. 901

already described ; and observation inclines me to suppose that it is
a common amusement with these people.

15th. Platje, Van Roye, and Cornelis, requesting leave to ride
forward on horseback and hunt through the country before the game
should have been disturbed, I permitted them to set out several
hours earlier than the time fixed for the departure of the whole
party: while at the same time Speelman, Keyser, and Stuurman, went
on foot. This I did with a view to procuring a sufficient quantity of
meat to be sent back as payment with Kaabi’s four oxen.

Before our departure, much delay was occasioned by sending
our oxen and dogs to the water, which, according to the report of the
Hottentots who took them, lay at a distance which, thither and re-
turning, made a journey of nearly ten miles. The sheep were spared
this fatigue, by being naturally better able than the oxen to endure
thirst.

When we were about to pack up our baggage, Kaabi came to
inform me that it was not in his power to lend us the four pack-ozen ;
that he himself was perfectly willing to give me that assistance, but
that he had been opposed in this affair by some of the principal
members of the kraal.

Now it appeared that the presence of my Graaffreynet Hottentots,
had created among them some alarm and mistrust: for Keyser, who
understood their language, overheard them mentioning to each other,
their suspicions that he and Stwurman were spies sent by the boors ;
as they were recognised as having been seen in the service of the
colonists, and Keyser was even pointed at as having been one of a
former ‘commando’ which came into their country to retake some
stolen cattle. Platje also made to mea report of the same nature ;
and all who understood their language, discovered that the cause of
their having removed their kraa] from Waterpoint, was, the fear
of being pursued, and that they now, in consequence of the place
of their retreat being known to Hottentots connected with the
boors, had resolved to remove to another spot, on the very next
day after our departure. On this account, they were themselves

VOL. I DD

202 TWO OXEN BORROWED FROM KAABI. 15 May,

in want of pack-oxen to transport their mats and the other materials
of their huts; for, among the stolen cattle, were none which could
be of use to them in this service. There was one grey-headed old
man, whose fears, and even displeasure, were much excited by the
sight of my new men: he strongly opposed Kaabi, who as strongly
insisted on lending me the oxen; but the old man’s opinion, that
they could not be spared on account of their being obliged to remove
immediately, coinciding with that of some other principal persons,
the debate terminated in Kaabi’s telling me that he could lend me
only one, and which was his own. At one time the dispute between
the chief and old Gryskop (Greyhead), as my Hottentots named
him, was very vehement, as he appeared quite averse from affording
us any accommodation at all. His wife, however, interfering and re-
presenting how wrong and imprudent it would be, to have any
quarrel with us, he at last was pacified, and consented that a second
ox should be lent me, as I complained to Kaabi of the unkindness in
not giving me assistance when they saw that the backs of my oxen,
and even of the horses, were so much galled that I should not be
able, without the greatest difficulty, to reach the Gariep with the
whole of our baggage.

For the use of these two oxen, I promised not only that he
should be paid in tobacco, but that they should bring him back a great
portion of the game which we might happen to shoot on the road :
and it was therefore agreed that three of his people should accompany
us for the purpose of driving them home.

At eleven o’clock I took my leave of Kaabi, and departed from
his kraal, with strong impressions of his friendly good-will towards
me personally, and of his naturally mild and kind disposition. I
have given the character of him and his countrymen, with the most
conscientious impartiality. I have exposed all the objectionable part
of it, which came to my knowledge; and if I have given a pre-
ponderancy to the better and more pleasing, it is because that part
appeared really to preponderate. ‘Their robberies of cattle from the
Colony, are committed under the influence of what has now,

1812. AN IMPORTANT QUESTION ANSWERED. 2903

unfortunately, become a long established custom, at least for several
generations. They are committed under the influence, too, of tempta-
tion by the carelessness of the Hottentot shepherds and herdsmen,
and by the very weak protection given to the numerous flocks which
graze on the borders. Nor, in weighing this crime, would it be just
to omit throwing something into the opposite scale, for poverty and
want; for an inveterate and inherited enmity to the boors ; for igno-
rance; and even, for their wild habits and lawless mode of life.

I now could give myself the answer to that question which I
had long marked as one of the desiderata of my travels *: but, alas !
it is in the negative ; and I must now believe, that these savages have
not been rendered happier by their communication with Europeans ;
I must too, believe, that they have not been made better or morally
wiser; and I fear | must conclude that the present state of all the
Hottentot race, is far less happy, far less peaceful, than it was before
our discovery of the Cape of Good Hope. If they rob us of cattle,
what is that crime to ours! who have robbed so large a portion of
these tribes, of their liberty and of the land of their fathers. If
European policy require our taking possession of the country, (and
I do not dispute that policy,) let us in return, as the smallest boon,
be kind to its aborigines ; kind to men who may no longer tread the
ground over which their forefathers have led their flocks ; over which
their ancestors were probably the first to imprint the ueiae footstep.

When we departed, no one accompanied us, as I had expected.
Uncertain of the exact course we ought to hold, as I had had no op-
portunity of laying down my track from Quakka station, we took at
first a north-westerly direction for two hours. This brought us in the
neighbourhood of two kraals, lying at a distance from each other, of
not more than two miles. We met three of their inhabitants ; from
whom we learnt that tie second belonged to those poor creatures
who, at the time of my first journey, dwelt at Poverty Kraal. They
were exceedingly pleased at seeing us again, and fortunately apprized

* At pages 5 and 6, of the first volume.
D Dez

204 LION STATION. —HOTTENTOTS ABSENT. 15, 16 May,

us that, by keeping on in that direction, we should not reach the
river that night ; an opinion which I had just expressed to my men.
We were therefore thankful for the information, and turned our steps
to the west.

Continuing to travel for above five hours and a half longer,
during the greater part of which we followed a path made by
quakkas passing from their grazing ground to the water, we did not
arrive at the river till the dusk of evening. This spot is distin-
guished as Lion Station.

The two Bushmen of Poverty Kraal soon left us ; but it was for
the purpose of going home to inform their friends of my re-
turn: and soon after we had unloaded our oxen and made our
fires, their whole kraal arrived at our station, and remained with us
till the next day. I now made them all a larger present of tobacco,
which failed not to gladden their hearts and give them for the
evening, as much happiness and content as the simplicity of their
minds renders this race capable of enjoying. ;

As for myself, I could not feel so much at ease; as I beparhe,
during the night, every hour more anxious for the safety of the six
Hottentots to whom I had given permission to set out to hunt in
advance. I expected that they would have fallen in with our track,
and have thus been guided to our station; or that, if, which was
more probable, they had reached the river before us, our fires would
have been a beacon which might have readily conducted them home:
or had they shot any game, one of the party would have been sent to
us for pack-oxen. But the chief cause of my uneasiness arose
from a supposition that they might, in the dark, have fallen in with
lions; animals much more to be dreaded at that hour than by day ;
and of which it may. with equal propriety be said, that, like the owls,
they are destined by nature to live and prey only at night.

Aithough much in want of food, we were unwilling to kill a
sheep, until the result of the hunting was known. Thus the time
passed in waiting; till we at last lay down supperless to sleep:
while our Bushman friends, seeing that we ate nothing ourselves,
were content to fast also.

1812. SUFFERINGS FROM FATIGUE AND THIRST. 905

16th. But in the morning I gave my visitors a meal; for which
they were exceedingly thankful, as they had not, I fear, feasted
much in our absence.

At two in the afternoon, Speelman arrived, extremely fatigued
and exhausted. The sky having been all day cloudless, the heat of
the sun had reduced him to a state of great lassitude. He declared
that he had neither eaten nor drunk since yesterday morning; and
his appearance confirmed his statement. He could give no account
of the others, as they had parted company soon after setting out:
and he himself had been wandering about, and traversing the
country, in hope of getting a shot at some game; but had been quite
unsuccessful. He had fallen in with two of the natives; and they
passed the night together, under shelter of a bank of earth, where
they found a small cave, in which they slept.

I gave to the people of Poverty Kraal, a large quantity of dakka,
and desired them, in their way home, to look out for my people, and,
if they saw any, or could discover them by following their track, to
give them directions respecting our situation. ‘They took leave of us
at three o’clock ; and in a most friendly manner assured me that they
would search for my people and send them home.

On observing some quakkas at a distance in the plain, Philip and
Juli with their guns went after them ; but were strongly enjoined not
to pursue them out of sight of our station. In an hour afterwards,
one of them returned with the agreeable intelligence of their having
shot a kanna (eland) ; the other remained by the carcass to guard it
from vultures and wild beasts. Pack-oxen were immediately sent
off; but it was not till eight at night, that the meat was brought
home, and we were enabled to satisfy the cravings of hunger.

In an hour and a half after the Bushmen left us, Keyser and
Stuurman arrived, faint and weary from their long wanderings, and
suffering much from thirst. I ordered them to have as soon as
possible, a cup of coffee, which I knew to be, for persons in their
state, a much safer and more refreshing beverage than water. They
had, in their way this morning, shot a Gemsbok (Ghemsbok) ; and to
so high a degree had the heat of the day raised their thirst, that
they eagerly cut open the animal’s stomach, and with the greatest

206 DANGEROUS VISIT OF A LION. 16 May,

avidity drank the liquid, which it contained; but this not being
sufficient, they also drank the blood; after which, they made a fire
on the spot, and broiled some of the meat. It was the smoke of this
fire which fortunately made their situation so soon known to the
Bushmen whom we sent in search of them, and who were thus very
opportunely and deservingly repaid for this friendly act, by receiving
the whole of the game; neither of my Hottentots having as yet
recovered strength enough to bring away more than the tongue and
two or three slices of the flesh.

In the middle of the night I was awakened by the roaring of a
lion; but the sound was peculiar, and very different from that which
the animal usually makes. I am assured by the inhabitants of these
countries, who have had opportunities of ascertaining the fact, that
he produces this noise by laying his head upon the ground and
uttering, as it were, a half-stifled roar, or growl, by which means
the sound is conveyed along the earth. It now seemed to us very
much to resemble that which we had heard in Cape Town at the
moment of the earthquake: it seemed also to have a progressive
movement, as if it came from the west. I instantly sprang up, and
seeing that our fires were nearly out, called to the Hottentots to put
on a large quantity of fuel to make a blaze, for the purpose of keep-
ing the beasts at a distance, as they are said to be afraid of flame.
But though several of them were awake, they remained without at-
tempting to move, until I called out. As they had supposed it to be
really an earthquake, and knew that by sleeping in the open air,
there was nothing to fear if such had been the case, they lay very
quietly wrapped up in their karosses, till I ordered them to make up
the fires. From the uneasiness of the oxen, two of which broke loose
from the bushes to which they had been made fast, and from other
circumstances, I was convinced that it was a lion; and at length
most of the people began to think the same as myself; but Speelman
persisted in declaring that it was only an earthquake, till, on examin-
ing the ground the next morning, we found the animal’s footmarks
within fifty yards of the spot where we had been lying asleep. There
is little doubt that the beast’s intention was to have seized one of the
oxen; and as little, that the timely making up our fires prevented

1812. MAN’S SUPREMACY ON THE GLOBE. 207

him. His roaring, was intended to strike fear into the cattle and to
put them to flight ; in which case, he would have pursued, and easily
have secured, his prey. It was his natural fear of man, which alone
withheld him from springing upon them at once, or even upon us, as
we lay quite exposed upon the bare ground; for we had, as I have
remarked, little or no fire burning at that time.

As far as I am enabled to judge, there is no region in any quarter
of the world, which can hold competition with Southern Africa in
number of large animals. It would be a novel and not uninstructive
mode of comparing the zodlogy of different countries, by noting
the aggregate weight of the wild animals of each country (meaning
one individual of each species) divided by the total number of species.
If a table of this kind were formed, I think there is little doubt that
Southern Africa would be found to stand at the head of it.

Although we are taught to believe that man is the supreme
animal of this globe ; and every thing we behold, even in civilized
countries, confirms that belief; yet still the mind can never derive
so perfect a conviction of this truth, as when viewing a country
in a state of nature, where men and multitudes of wild beasts
of every class, roam unrestrained, in all the freedom of creation.
Can we view animals of immense bulk and strength, either flying
from man, or submitting to his domination and labouring in his im-
mediate service, without acknowledging at once that their timidity
or submission forms a part of that wise plan, predetermined by the
Deity, for giving supreme power to him who is physically the weakest
of them all? or can we doubt that a part of that plan was, that man
should rule alone by the divine spirit of reason and superior intellect,
and, at his own option and freewill, either by the exercise of these,
elevate himself above the rest of the animal creation, or by the
neglect of them sink himself below the beasts? For man has
nought else of which to be proud, but reason and virtue: without
these he is still but mere animal, his existence is useless in the
great final cause of the universe, and he will surely have to
answer for his voluntary deficiencies in them, to that Aweful, Good
and Great, Power, who will know no other distinction among man-

208 RETURN OF THE HORSEMEN. — 17 May,

kind than that which they themselves make by their virtuous or
vicious conduct. x

17th. The absence of the other three men, caused me con-
siderable uneasiness, as we were unable to account for their having
remained away two nights. They were all mounted on horseback,
and could easily have overtaken us; or have escaped from any
inimical kraal of natives who, mistaking them for part of a com-
mando, might have made any hostile attempt upon them. At one
time, a suspicion arose in my mind, that they had deserted, and re-
turned back to the Colony; at another, I believed them to be waiting
for us lower down the river. In hope, if they happened to be near,
of giving them notice of our situation, I sent one of the people to a
hillock close by, to make a large fire and keep it burning for several
hours ; and I resolved in the afternoon to move forward along the
banks of the river.

Having waited till more than two hours after mid-day, I gave
orders for packing the oxen: but just as we were on the point of
departing, Van Roye, Cornelis, and Platje, made their appearance ;
having been guided by our fire on the hill. Their story was, that
having hunted for a great distance northward, and not discovering
our track, nor falling in with any Bushmen of whom they could ask
information, they concluded that we were stil] remaining at Kaabi’s
new kraal, which we had distinguished as the kraal where we had
obtained the two oxen, and that they had returned thither in search
of us. The inhabitants there had behaved very kindly towards them;
and, being just about to remove their whole village, Kaabi had not
thought it worth while to send any of his people with us to bring
back the two pack-oxen ; but desired the Hottentots to tell me that
I might keep them till I again returned to his country.

We travelled parallel with the river about eleven or twelve miles,
over a flat covered principally with a species of Mesembryanthemum *;
and at twilight halted on the banks, at.a spot abounding in rushes, and

* Resembling Mesembryanthemum veruculatum.

1812. CRYPTOGAMIC VEGETABLES. — NECKLACE OF ENTRAILS. 909

which I have therefore marked as, Rushy Station. Here the water
was found still to continue perfectly fresh: and it is probably only at
the lowest part of this river, and in the dry season, that it becomes
brackish.

At this place I found Marsilea quadrifolia, an European plant,
growing in the water and along the bed of the river, in abundance.
The wide dissemination of many species of cryptogamic vegetables
all over the earth, is an interesting fact, and one which might
deserve particular attention: from a philosophical view of it, there
is much to be learnt. Instances of a similar dispersion of what are
called phenogamous plants, are much more rare, and may often be
traced to some visible cause, such as the current of rivers or of the
ocean, or the winds; or even to the instrumentality of man. I shall
not here stop to discuss the subject, but shall merely remark that
the seeds of cryptogamic vegetables, being infinitely finer than those
of the other class, and so excessively minute as to be, in most cases,
invisible, even by the aid of the strongest microscope, are more
easily borne along by currents of air: and this consideration should
be taken in addition, when contemplating philosophically the ad-
mirable harmony and wisdom of their primitive location ; by which
term I would express, the situation assigned to each species at the
creation or commencement of the present order of created objects
upon the surface of this globe.

We were visited by a few natives: they were personally strangers,
but, having long heard of our passing through their country, they
came to us in the usual friendly manner. Some of them were orna-
mented with a fresh necklace of twisted entrails. This is one of the
most common ornaments, not only of the Bushmen and other tribes of
the Hottentot race, but also of the Bichuana nations. To imagine that
these entrails are hung round their necks just in the same state in
which they are taken out of the animal, would be to entertain an
exceedingly false idea of them; but it is one which those persons,
who do not think, in giving an account of a foreign country, that the
truth is sufficiently interesting, endeavour to create, supposing that
by such means they render the proverbial filthiness of Hottentots

VOL. II. EE

210 RETURN TO THE GARIEP. 17—19 May,

more striking and wonderful. It is a representation, not more cor-
rect, than it would be, to tell the Bushmen, that the ladies of Kurope
play upon a musical instrument composed of the entrails of animals,
extended between three pieces of wood. These necklaces of entrails,
are washed and cleansed as properly and completely as the strings of
a violin or a harp; and it is only by the subsequent accumulation of
grease and red-ochre, that they become, what we call, dirty, but which
Bushmen consider as highly improved.

At midnight we again heard the lion. Although it is impossible
to know whether it was, or was not, the same animal which had
disturbed us on the preceding night, it is probable that, having been
then disappointed, he had followed us in the hope still of getting
hold of an ox.

18th. As the sheep, on along day’s-journey, were found unable to
travel so fast as the oxen, they were sent forward early in the
morning, with two Hottentots under the guidance of Speelman: and
after a march of above four-and-twenty miles, we halted late in the
evening, for the last time on the banks of our friendly river, at a spot
considerably below the place at which we first became acquainted
with it. This is therefore marked as the Lower Station.

On our road we spoke with two Bushmen, who informed us that
a white-man, or as they expressed it in their language, a’ Gowsa, had
crossed the Gariep in his way to Klaarwater. ‘This, till we obtained
better information, excited the curiosity of all of us, to know who
this person could be, or his object in coming into these countries :
but the whole story was either a fabrication on the part of the
Bushmen, or a misunderstanding on ours; for no person of that de-
scription had made his appearance in any part of these countries,
since myself.

19th. This day’s march brought us once more to the delightful
woody banks of the beautiful Gariep. I hailed its airy acacia groves
and drooping willows, and derived pleasure from fancying that
they waved their branches to bid me welcome again to their cooling
shade, and to greet me on my safe return.

Throughout the whole country which we had traversed in our

1812. A REMARK ON THE CISGARIEPINE. 911

present journey, from the Sunday river to this place, not a single
Acacia had been seen ; and if this fact be coupled with another already
noticed *, that this tree does not exist between the Roggeveld Moun-
tain and the Gariep, a very singular geographical circumstance will
be discovered : —that although that part of Southern Africa which
has fallen under my observation, every where else abound in acacias,
there appears to be one large and central region perfectly destitute of
every trace of that plant. This region is bounded on the south,
by the ridge of mountains, or rather cliffs, which extends in one
continued, though irregular, line from the Farther Bokkeveld, along
the northern side of the Great Karro, connecting the Roggeveld
Mountains with those of the Nieuwveld and Sneeuwberg; as may be
more clearly seen by inspecting the map. It is bounded, on the east
by the Rhenosterberg and the Nugariep, and on the north by the
Gariep, and does not, probably, extend so far westward as to the sea-
coast. This region, so remarkably by nature distinguished in several
respects from the other parts of Extratropical Africa, is in fact that
which I have attempted to distinguish in a geographical view, by the
denomination of the Cisgariepine.t| The sciences of Geography and
Botany here elucidate each other: the generally great elevation, and
consequently colder climate, of this region, will not allow the Acacia
to thrive: and the absence of this, being one of the species of a
numerous genus the whole of which are the inhabitants of warm
climates, affords some proof of the greater cold, and consequently
of the greater elevation of this region. As it is evident that these
conclusions can only be drawn from remarks made along my own
course, it remains to be confirmed by future observation, whether my
supposition that the whole of this region contains no acacias, be
either literally, or only generally, correct.

Those of my men who had never before seen this stream, were
astonished at its magnitude, and declared that they had no notion of

* At page 314. of the first volume.
+ See Vol. I. p. 581., and also page 324.

EE 2

219 STATURE OF BUSHMEN. 19—21 May,

there being so large a river in Africa: it contained, they said, more
water than all the rivers of the Colony put together. To them this
was the first stage of the journey; and it was a circumstance not
unimportant to me, that they felt pleasure at having, in our course
hitherto, beheld and learnt many things which they thought inte-
resting. The glory of shooting a ‘ sea-cow’ had long, in prospect,
occupied their thoughts, and the moment, therefore, the baggage was
unloaded, they ran down the steep bank of the river to discover if
any were then within shot. As soon as they had taken supper, they
posted themselves by the water-side, and remained on the watch
during the greater part of the night; but this eagerness was not
repaid with success. The light of our fires, and the voices of so many
people, had probably alarmed the animals and driven them, either
higher up the stream, or, nearer the opposite bank.

At this ford, the place of which is marked on the map by the
words Ow-Ford, we found a Bushman kraal of ten huts, the inhabi-
tants of which were of taller stature than the natives whom we had
hitherto met with in the Cisgariepine. Or, to prevent any supposi-
tion that these were tall men, which would be a notion quite false, as
they are every where that small race which I have described, it ought
rather to be said, that the Bushmen of the country between the Colony
and the Gariep, are among the smallest of the Hottentot race. This
difference of stature in those who inhabit the vicinity of the river, is
probably to be attributed to a mixture of Kora blood: and the same
difference has been observed in other places where the intermingling
with other tribes may readily be supposed to have occasioned it : but
the genuine Bushmen are all excessively small.

20th. At this ford the river is divided into two channels, by an
island; and before we attempted to pass with the whole party, we
made some previous trials, and found the ford too deep to be prac-
ticable without the aid of oxen; and even then, the water flowed over
their backs. As old Lucas and Cobus were supposed to be well
acquainted with every part of the river hereabouts, we were guided
by their opinion that this was the shallowest place ; and therefore pre-
pared for crossing, by collecting together a quantity of dry wood for

1812. PEBBLES OF THE GARIEP. 213

making rafts to pass the channel on the northern side of the island,
that being much too deep to be forded in any manner. While thus
employed, we were observed by three Koras on the opposite bank,
who goodnaturedly swam over to give us their assistance, knowing
by previous report who we were.

My men had laboured the greater part of the day, in collecting
the wood and carrying it to the farther side of the island, and we had
just made the raft and all was. nearly ready, when some Bushmen
came to inform me that another ford higher up the river, was
much more shallow. In consequence of this advice, I ordered my
people to desist from further preparations, and resolved on removing
thither: for, having now in my party a number of Hottentots unac-
customed to swimming, and a woman and infant besides, I considered
myself responsible for their safety as far as it depended on my judg-
ment, and therefore determined to adopt that plan which offered the
least possible risk; although some of the Hottentots seemed little
pleased at finding that all the labor of collecting wood must be
begun again.

It being too late in the day to commence a journey, we remained
at this place, and took advantage of the remaining daylight, to put
our baggage in the best order we were able. I amused myself in the
mean time, in examining the stones in the bed of the river. The —
shores of the Gariep, not only at this spot, but every where along its
course, as | am informed, abound with pebbles of various sorts, and of
considerable beauty. They have been found well adapted for seals
and necklaces, or other ornaments of that kind; and from their
hardness, are susceptible of a high polish. Of these I now collected
a few; among which were some very handsome chalcedonies, some
curious agates, and other varieties of this class ; together with some
of porphyry, primitive amygdaloid, amygdaloidal greenstone; and
separate pebbles of zeolite, a substance frequently occurring em-
bedded in the other stones of the river.

21st. Before sunrise we began the business of packing the
baggage; but in consequence of the Hottentots’ dilatoriness and

914 FRIENDLY KORAS. — SKETCH-BOOK. — THE ISLAND. 21 May,

want of method, it was not till two hours afterwards, that the whole
party were on the march. We soon arrived at the ford, which we
found to be the same which bore the name of Engelsche Drift or
English Ford. This was also formed by an island which divided
the stream; and although it was not so deep as the other, it still
required the aid of rafts for passing the channel between us and the
island.

On the opposite bank, at some distance higher up, was a kraal
of Koras, the same people whom we had seen when we crossed
the river before. These soon observed us, and nine of them swam
over, and readily, even unasked, lent their assistance in collecting —
wood for our rafts. The stony shore, partly overhung by trees, was
soon a busy scene; which, by the addition of the Koras to our num-
ber, together with the horses, oxen, sheep, and dogs, presented a
crowded and lively appearance. The broad expanse of water, was the
more attractive to the eye, as it was a sight so rare in this part of
the globe.

While they were engaged in swimming the cattle through to the
island, I employed the time in preserving the memory of these occu-
pations and of this scene, by placing it in my sketch-book. Every
additional sketch was, I considered, an additional triumph over
oblivion, and a powerful assistant to recollection. I trust I shall be
excused for here obtruding the advice upon those who may propose
to visit countries little known, or seldom frequented ; that they would
regard the art of drawing as of the highest importance; not merely
as the means of giving their friends an idea of those scenes and
objects which they have beheld, but for their own gratification, and
for the pleasure of a renewal of ‘past impressions far more lively than
any pen can render a written journal.

It was nearly sunset. before the whole of my party, and the
baggage and cattle, were landed on the island; three hours having
been consumed on account of the number of times it was necessary
to cross and recross the first channel. In one of these trips, the
bands of acacia-bark with which the raft was bound together, broke

1812. DANGER IN FORDING THE GARIEP. 915

while in the middle of the stream, and a great part of the raft
separated and was, together with one of the karosses, and some other
goods, carried away by the stream and lost. At this time Tuy and
her child were going over, and narrowly escaped drowning, as the
raft fortunately held together till just the moment when they had
nearly gained the shore.

This island was narrow, but of considerable length in the direc-
tion of the stream. A few trees or bushes grew upon it, and some
rushes of a new and peculiar sort *, which were never met with in any
other part of my travels. It was subject occasionally to be overflowed ;
and the fresh grass and other rubbish left upon the branches by the
inundation, proved that the river had very lately risen fifteen feet
above its present level. The woods along the banks, were still in
their antumnal dress.

The two men on horseback were the first to ford the northern
channel ; while the rest of us waited on the island to watch the result,
whether it would be shallow enough for carrying our baggage over
without a raft. This we judged it possible to accomplish by
packing the goods high upon the oxen’s backs. As soon as these
were ready, as many of us as could be mounted, entered the stream.
The depth of water was five feet, but we found, as we advanced
towards the middle, that the current being straitened by the island,
was excessively rapid, and rendered our fording an affair of consi-
derable danger. We found it necessary to keep our view directed
only to the opposite bank, to prevent giddiness ; an effect which the
rapid motion of the water flowing past us, produced upon every one.
I confess that I was not less in fear, than my men ; for the strength
of the flood was almost greater than that of the cattle upon which we
depended entirely for our safety ; and, added to this, the channel was

* Cyperus scirpoides, B. Catal. Geogr. 2128. Culmi 2—3-pedales, nudi teretes:
plurimi steriles. Folia nulla? Involucra et involucella brevissima ex squamis 2 vel 3
erectis lanceolatis. Panicula constans ex spiculis sessilibus et pedunculatis, ex umbellulis
paucifloris, simplicibus et compositis. Spiculee lanceolataee 8—16-flore.

916 ACCIDENTS IN CROSSING THE RIVER. 21, 22 May,

every where covered with large stones. ‘The oxen were more steady
than the horses, but their bulk exposed them more to the force of the
current: my horse had in this respect the advantage, but being less
strong in the legs, he stumbled more frequently ; and at one time,
when the roughness of the bottom occasioned a false step, he
providentially fell upwards against the stream. Had he fallen in the
opposite direction, we must both have been swept away with the
flood. My men were in not less alarm: all preserved a fearful
silence as long as they were in the water, which was between ten and
fifteen minutes; but the moment we reached the shore, they con-
gratulated each other on having landed without accident. Old Hans,
who was near me and had observed my horse stumbling and scarcely
able to stand against the force of the current, exclaimed very fervently
when we gained the bank ; ‘ Thank God! Mynheer is safe.’

The sheep were with much difficulty compelled to enter the
stream, and it was only by pelting them with stones, that they were
afterwards forced to swim over ; they were, however, carried far down
with the current before they could gain the land.

I had been careful to preserve the watch which I carried on my
person, by placing it where the water could not reach it; but unfor-
tunately the one which had been packed in the tin box, was now
rendered utterly useless for the rest of the journey. This box had
carelessly been placed so low upon the ox, that on coming to land
it was found full of water; in consequence of which, I had to sit up
a great part of the night to dry my journals and papers before the
fire; and anxious to save these from damage, the watch was neglected
till too late, when the springs had already contracted rust.

It being now too dark to drive the oxen back for those who had
been left behind, we were not till the next morning quite free from
uneasiness on their account; as it was not impossible that the river
might swell during the night, and overflow the island. Judi, with his
wife and child, and Keyser, remained there till morning without any
bedding or protection from the cold; but fortunately they found a
sufficient quantity of wood to keep up a fire till daylight.

1812. DEATH OF MULIHABAN.—CIVILITY OF A HOTTENTOT. O17

22nd. The first intelligence gained on my arrival in the Trans-
gariepine, was, that of the death of Mulihaban*, the chief of the
Bachapins, or Briquas, the nation which I intended to visit first ; and
that, as usual on such an occasion, his successor, Mattivi, had sent to
the Klaarwater chief, Adam Kok, a present of two oxen, as expressive
of his desire that the two nations, or tribes, should continue on
peaceable and friendly terms. This information was given by two
Briquas who were in the service of some of the Klaarwater people,
~ as herdsmen, and who, knowing that I was about to make a journey
to their country, came for the purpose of apprising me of the cir-
cumstance. This certainly was an affair in which we were much
concerned; but as the character of their new chief had not yet
declared itself, we were left in uncertainty whether the change would
be for our advantage or disadvantage.

At noon all the party being at length collected together, we left
the river, and proceeded towards the village of ‘ The Kloof.’ On
arriving at Jan Bloem’s kraal, mutual inquiries compelled us to halt
and satisfy their curiosity. He and his friends were eager to learn
some particulars respecting the country we had traversed, and we,
as eager to hear something of Klaarwater affairs.

The beautiful wire-grass, so much admired on my former journey,
was now all dried up, or consumed by the cattle; and the acacias
were nearly in a leafless state.

At sunset we entered the Asbestos Mountains, and arrived at
The Kloof. Here Willem Fortuyn, the Hottentot who has been
mentioned in the former volume as a man possessed of more in-
dustry than his neighbours, came immediately to invite me to take
up my quarters in his house, which he had cleaned on purpose for
my reception, having been apprised of my coming by Van Roye and
Cornelis, who, being on horseback and having started early, had
preceded us several hours. This was a degree of attention and
hospitality, which I had not before experienced from the Klaarwater

* The Bachapins sometimes pronounce this name Mulihdban or Mollihdban, and. at
other times Mulihabang or Mulihavang : the first is the most usual.

VOL. II. FF ‘

218 RETURN OF THE HORSES. — VISIT FROM KAABI. — 22, 23 May,

people, and I was therefore the more struck with this proof of the
man’s superior degree of civilization, and felt the more gratified by his
consideration of the fatigues and privations which he knew I must have
suffered. But as the passing but a single night in a warm house
might occasion me afterwards to take cold, I preferred sleeping in
the open air, to which I was now more accustomed. When he found
this to be my determination, he sent a jug of milk, as the most
acceptable present which it was in his power to offer. How superior,
in the common feelings of human nature, must this man have been,
to the inhabitants of the first farm-house at which we arrived, on
our entrance into the Colony.

Fortuyn informed me that Captain Berends and a large party
with several waggons, had departed but the day before, on a journey
farther into the Interior, for the purpose of hunting elephants: and,
that the horses from the Roggeveld, which, as mentioned in the
former volume, had been sent there to avoid the paardeziekte, had
returned in the preceding week ; and by this opportunity, the mis-
sionaries had received several packets of letters from the Cape. The
latter part of this intelligence, it may be supposed, was most inte-
resting to me, as I hoped that among these letters there might be
some for myself.

At another piece of information I was much more surprised :
that Kaabi and the old Bushman Gryskop, had been to Klaarwater to
fetch the two pack-oxen, supposing that we had already arrived
there. They, however, did not think it worth their while to wait
for our coming; but on finding us not there, they immediately re-
turned home. Although this report was found to be correct, I could
not at first believe them to have been the same Bushmen, because
Kaabi was seen by three of my men, at his own kraal on the 16th;
and this account having reached the Kloof yesterday and having been
two days coming from Klaarwater, three days only were left for them
to perform the journey, including the crossing of the river; which
proves them to have travelled at the rate of at least forty miles each
day.

A serious calamity, according to Hottentot estimation, had be-

1812. LUCAS AND HIS COMPANIONS TAKE LEAVE. 219

fallen the gardens of this village: an unusually heavy storm of hail
had cut all the leaves off their tobacco plants, and totally ruined
the expected crop, on which so much of their comforts, and even
profits, depended.

23rd. Hans Lucas, Hendrik Abrams, and Nieuwveld, now took
their leave of us, and returned to their homes at Groote-doorn, by a
nearer road across the mountains. Lucas had proved himself to be
a worthy good-hearted Hottentot, and though neither he, nor any
of the others excepting my own men, had much more to do on the
journey than merely to accompany me, I found in him always a
readiness and goodwill, which failed not to gain my esteem. In
Abrams I discovered nothing either to censure or to commend ; unless
I censure him for inactivity, and commend him for quietness.
Niewwveld, as a Bushman, deserved praise for his constant and steady .
attention to his duty in driving the loose cattle, as long as we had
any to require his care. I had very little communication with him
by conversation, because he spoke no language but his own; yet in
his deportment there was something which claimed my good opinion.

At this village, we left Cobus Berends and Ruiter. The former
was, I believe,a good old man; but on account of his age, was of no
use whatever to us as an assistant ; although his presence, to give the
appearance of greater strength to the party, and occasionally his judg-
ment and experience, rendered him an acceptable companion. Ruiter
was at the commencement of the, journey, a very useful man as an
interpreter, but having taken offence at my finding fault with some
unfair bartering of which he had been guilty, he became sullen and
often refused to interpret; so that ultimately he was of little ad-
vantage, excepting by his mere presence: and this was the utmost
extent of Old Daniel’s service. It appeared to me remarkable that
no one of the party, excepting my own people, shot any game, although
gunpowder was delivered to all in the same proportion; yet it was
always reported as having been consumed. However, we all parted
good friends ; and I had the satisfaction of having accomplished my
Journey, without accident to any one, and with the gratification of
knowing that no one was the worse for having accompanied me.

FF 2

2920 CURIOSITY. — ANDRIES AND STUURMAN. 23, 24 May,

From this time till we reached home, the party, excepting one,
consisted only of my own people; and I departed from the Kloof with
very agreeable feelings, as I viewed upon the road, the number of
men engaged in my service, and with whom I might now look
forward without disappointment, to the execution of my plans.

We arrived at Gattikamma just before it became dark ; where,
from the coldness of the air, we found a fire more necessary than
food.

24th. This morning we were visited by several Hottentots from
Gert Kok’s kraal, which lay at the distance of a few miles north-
ward, and who had last night received inteiligence of our arrival,
by means of Kok, who happened to pass by just as we were unpacking.
Our journey had excited a considerable share of curiosity among the
Hottentots generally; as they felt more especially interested in a
road being now opened to a part of the colony with which they had not
before had any communication. The quantity of game which might
be met with along that road, formed for them, a subject of inquiry,
not less important.

We left Gattikamma before nine in the morning, and marched
at a brisk step, that we might arrive early at Klaarwater. The people
seemed to have no idea of the necessity which such a journey
imposed on us for keeping together in a body; and had, notwith-
standing my orders to the contrary, allowed themselves to straggle
and disperse in a manner which would subject us to the greatest
danger, in countries where the natives might prove less amicably
disposed, than the Bushmen among whom we had just been travel-
ling. But as it is difficult to make Hottentots sensible of the
advantages to be derived from good order, I found this likely to be a
source of some trouble ; for, though I had at starting, issued positive
instructions that we should keep together, two of my jail Hottentots,
Andries and Stuurman, continued in the afternoon, to lag behind,
till, watching the opportunity of my being some little way ahead of
the rest, they slipped away unperceived. As [{ missed them soon
afterwards, I halted and sent Juli back to make search, and bring them
on. After some delay, they came up with us, having been found

1812. ATTEMPTS AT DISOBEDIENCE. 99)

very composedly sitting smoking their pipes under a bush; where
they had proposed to each other to remain till the evening. This, I
am willing to believe, was not done in absolute defiance of my orders,
but partly from a careless neglect of them, and partly from a wish of
having their own way and from a desire of trying how far they might
carry disobedience with impunity. Almost all my new men began
their service by making experiments to ascertain the strength of my
patience and forbearance ; and therefore made continual attempts at
slighting my regulations. This, however, was a point which I
was firmly resolved, at all hazards, to maintain against them; as
the safety of the whole depended upon subordination to their head.
Fortunately for them, they had to deal with one who was de-
termined on pursuing such measures as he conscientiously felt to
be just and right. I watched therefore with a jealous eye, every
attempt at disobedience, and considered nothing of so much import-
ance as the preservation of my authority over them: although, I
confess, there were subsequent occasions, on which this authority was
preserved merely in outward appearance.

CHAPTER VIII.

TRANSACTIONS AT KLAARWATER, AFTER THE RETURN FROM GRAFFREYNET.

Ar four in the afternoon we came in sight of Klaarwater. Ihalted -
my men at the top of the ridge above the village, and, according to
colonial custom *, saluted the missionaries with twenty discharges of
our muskets, as a complimentary mode of announcing our return..
They had been yesterday apprised by a Hottentot called Lang Adam,
that we were on the road from the Kloof, and should certainly arrive
this day. But our salutation remained unanswered; not a musket
was fired to welcome us; nor did any one make his appearance to
receive us. At this, we were all naturally much surprised; as the
noise was loud enough to have awakened the whole village, had every
inhabitant been even fast asleep.

See examples of this, at pages 173 and 328 of the first volume.

24 May, 1812. RECEPTION AT KLAARWATER. 993

We rode up to the houses, where Gert was hastening to meet
us; and my men went forward and unpacked the baggage at my
wageons, which I rejoiced to behold once again.

None of the missionaries making themselves visible all this time,
I knocked at Mr. Anderson’s door: he at last came forward, and in
an admirably calm manner, and without the least expression of any
emotions, such as worldly men might naturally indulge in, on wit-
nessing the return of a person whom he might consider as having
risen from the dead, received me with; So, yowre come back again.
It must certainly have been vexatious to him, to find all his predic-
tions respecting the dangers and difficulties of the journey, and my
failure in the object of it, falsified in the eyes of those people by
whom he wished to be thought an unerring example for their imita-
tion; and I readily admit this excuse for his feelings. Therefore
neither he nor his brother missionaries, had any reason for rejoicing
at my success and safe return ; a sentiment which, if they felt it, never
once escaped their lips during the whole time I remained at Klaar-
water; nor did they ever allow their consistency to be compromised
by any vain curiosity respecting the occurrences of my journey ; for
on this head they preserved a silence well becoming men whose minds
were occupied with better things. Nor was any reason ever given for
taking no notice ofmy salute. However; I met with a civil reception
from all. I know that it is the doctrine of this sect, to suppress, and
even destroy, every lively emotion, and to strive to become sérious
people. But for my part, I never could bring my mind to so serious
a state as to avoid being extremely glad at finding myself, with all my
men, safely arrived at Klaarwater, or to avoid being equally rejoiced
at getting away from it.

After a little time Kramer and Jansz made their appearance. I
delivered a letter from Mr. Kicherer, and gave them some Cape news-
papers. In return I received, what was most acceptable, three packets
of letters, one of which was from England, and brought, as I have
mentioned, by the men who returned with the horses from the
Roggeveld. To these I had a fortunate opportunity of replying im-
mediately, by means of some Hottentots going to Kok’s Kraal, a place
about nine or ten days journey lower down the Gariep. These people

6 BAD FAITH. 24 May —3 June,
224

being in connexion equally with Klaarwater and with the Kamiesberg,
undertook to forward letters for the missionaries into the Colony ;
and mine, being put into the same packet, reached ultimately their
destination.

Gert and Hannah, were both in excellent condition, having had
nothing to do but to sit by the waggons and fatten themselves. They
informed me that my waggons were in all respects in the state as
when I left them. I was, however, much vexed at hearing that the
Hottentot named Cupido Kok had taken my great rifle-gun with him
to Litaakun ; the consequence of which was, that I lost the use of it
during my whole journey in the Interior. This man having greatly
admired the gun, I consented to lend it him till we returned from
Graaffreynet, as it was too heavy to be constantly carried in the hand ;
and as he offered to supply its place with a lighter musket. I gave
him at the same time a pound of gunpowder, for which he engaged
to let Gert have either game or a sheep in our absence; but this, I
now was told, he had not done.

I made my complaint to the missionary, but soon dropped the
subject, as I found that the man had been baptized, and that it was
not pleasant to hear a bad character given to one of whom he held a
good opinion.

I had given Gert at my departure, a quantity of powder and ball,
with which he might obtain a supply of provisions during part of the
time; but the person to whom he entrusted it, returned him no more
than half a springbuck. Captain Kok, however, had fulfilled his
promise, and had allowed him to have as many goats, on my account,
as he required.

Although two of my men were sent out hunting every day, and
their powder-horns were frequently replenished, we never got morethan
one springbuck during our stay at this village. It being known that I
had plenty of gunpowder, I was beset in various ways, and have little
doubt that in this particular, as well as in provisions, my own men
were often successfully solicited to betray their trust; as they never
reported having missed aim, so often as when we were in the neigh-
bourhood of the Klaarwater Hottentots. Keyser, whom I had sent
back from the Kloof to the river, for our hatchet, which he had care-

1812. _ DIFFICULTIES AND DELAY.— HANNAH AND TRUY. 995

lessly left behind, returned on the third day with an empty horn, and
with the story of his having lost all his powder and ball, and shot
nothing: this might be accounted for by his having passed through
The Kloof, and afterwards taken a circuit round by Grootedoorn.

_ 25th. My oxen, which had been left under the care of Abram
Abrams, were brought that I might see them, and as they appeared
to be in the best order, he received the promised reward; and, my
waggons being found all safe and in proper condition, Gert also
received a present as an encouragement of his fidelity.

27th. A small party of Hottentots returned home to day from a
journey to The Hart ; where they had been to barter for cattle. They
had intended going to the Roode Kaffers (Red Caffres); but were
dissuaded by some Bachapins who accompanied them.

It seems to be a common maxim with all the nations of the
Interior, to oppose the wishes of any strangers desirous of visiting the
tribes beyond; always giving as a reason for doing so, that it is
dangerous to travel among people so cruel as they represent them
to be; but their real motive is, the desire that no tribe but themselves
shall reap the advantages to be derived from trading with strangers.

June 3d. I had intended leaving Klaarwater in a week after my
arrival ; judging that that time would be sufficient for putting every
thing in travelling order, and for making all those arrangements which
circumstances might require. But as I had from no one the least
assistance, and as my people were more inclined to loiter among
their old acquaintances and smoke their time away, than actively to
despatch their work, I found the period of our departure, greatly to
my annoyance, prolonged from day to day, by various difficulties and
obstructions arising in one quarter or another.

The two women Hannah and Truij, who, though brought on
the journey contrary to my first intention, were still the object of
care and concern: they were to be provided for, during our absence,
whether we returned to this place, or proceeded through the con-
tinent. I, however, made their husbands manage the business as if
on their own account, well knowing that otherwise I should have
been assailed with the most unreasonable demands for gunpowder and

VOL, Il. GG

296 DRAWINGS AND COLLECTIONS. 3, 4 JUNE,

ball. . It was settled that they should take up their residence at
Grootedoorn, where our friend Hans Lucas, and Hendrik, very
readily promised to give them protection. I mentioned their case
to Mr. Anderson, and requested him to see that they were not in

want, and engaged to repay whatever might be advanced on their
account.

In Mr. Kramer’s care, I left a chest containing my collection of
birds, insects, botanical specimens* and drawings, to be taken to

* From the number of new plants discovered in the vicinity of Klaarwater, the fol-
lowing are selected ;

Ipomea suffruticosa, B. Catal. Geogr. 1838. Radix crassa fusiformis, vel bulbosa.
Caulis ramosus, non volubilis. Folia argentea oblongo-ovalia, (aliquando obtusa.) Flores
solitarii axillares magni speciosi purpureo-rosei. Sepala (calycis foliola) lanceolata sericea.

Mahernia Linneoides, Catal. Geogr. 1878. Planta humifusa glabriuscula. Caules
filiformes. Folia orbiculata petiolata crenata. Flores aurantiaci, longé pedunculati
nutantes. Faciem habet plantulee illze borealis, ob nomen impositum colendissime.

Cleome oxyphylia. Cat. Geog. 1887. Planta sesquipedalis subramosa, scabra punc-
tulis elevatis glanduloso viscosis. Folia longé petiolata, foliolis septenis lanceolatis utrinque
acutis. Flores flavi. ;

Cotyledon trigyna. C. G. 1898. Acaulis. Folia glabra complanata carnosa cuneato-
ovalia, (vel suborbiculata). Flores erecti alterni, in scapo elongato simplici (rarissimé
bifido). Corolla cylindrica purpurascens, limbo albo brevi reflexo, Faux purpurea.
Capsulee tres.

Aristida (Arthratherum) lanuginosa. C. G. 1917. Culmus solidus (perennans ?).
Folia linearia striata, (apice seepils pungente) vaginis extus lanuginosis. Panicula
composita.

Chironia palustris. C.G. 1925. Herbacea acaulis. Folia plura radicalia conferta
spathulata obtusa integerrima. Scapus apice paniculatus, medio bracteis duabus linearibus
oppositis.

Asparagus suaveolens. C. G. 1956. Frutescens spinosus sesquipedalis. Caules erecti.
Rami patentes breves, spina terminati. Ramuli numerosissimi fasciculati inermes; inter
quos spine tres patentes recte. Folia subulata ternatim fasciculata. Flores copiosi albi
solitarii vel bini, terminales.

Celosia recurva. C. G. 2111. Folia patentia linearia collapsa, apice recurva. Flores
rubri spicati.

At this place several European plants are naturalized, having been introduced
probably by means of their seeds mixed with the corn, or with garden seeds. te

Veronica Anagallis. Polypogon Monspeliensis. Per. Syn.
Epilobium tetragonum. Polygonum lapathifolium.

Juncus articulatus. Lolium temulentum.

Ranunculus philonotis, var. «., DC. Chenopodium Botrys.

Stum latifolium. &e.

1812. MISUNDERSTANDING AND DISPUTE. 29"

Cape Town by any of the caravan of waggons which were to accom-
pany him: and as payment for the carriage of it, I left a draft for
thirty rix dollars. + He promised to look after this chest in the mean
while; and engaged to take charge himself, of a hippopotamus’
tongue for my friend Mr. Hesse.

I paid the captain for the goats, sheep, and corn had of him ;
and made him a present of a blue jacket, a saw, and some linen
which I purchased for him at Graaffreynet.

4th. The hook of the drag-chain belonging to my great waggon,
was found broken, and Gert having told me that the captain had
borrowed it for ploughing, at which time the accident happened, I
sent it to him to be mended, as he occasionally exercised the trade
of blacksmith. But it was soon discovered that Gert’s story was
entirely a fabrication, for the captain sent it back highly offended
at the demand, declaring that it had never been used by him. With
some trouble I found out, that it had really been lent to another
Hottentot : and when Gert was questioned why he had made up so
false a story, he replied that as, at my departure, I had desired him
to lend the captain any thing which he might want in my absence,
he thought it would make the least trouble to tell me that it was he
who broke it.

This occurrence, trifling as it was in itself, created some serious
misunderstanding for a time; and strangely enough, much irritation
against myself instead of my Hottentot. But as Mr. Anderson took
upon himself the guidance and regulation of the Klaarwater people,
I imagined that, to let all parties have a mutual explanation, would
be the shortest way of putting a stop to misrepresentations ; and ac-
cordingly, on the following day, they met at the missionary’s house,
where, it soon appearing who was to be blamed, the captain with an
openness and honesty too rare in the Transgariepine, and at which
I was equally surprised and pleased, confessed himself in the wrong,

+ At my final return to Klaarwater I learnt to my disappointment, that this chest
still remained there, none of the waggons, as I was informed, having found it convenient
to take it. 4

GG 2

298 GERT AND THE CAPTAIN. i 4—6 JUNE,

and begged me to excuse what he had too hastily said, and declaring
that he felt no displeasure towards any one but Gert. In these last
feelings he was better justified, as it was an act of ingratitude to one
who had, although paid for it, been kind to him in illness, and had
regularly furnished him with provisions during my absence. But |
now began to discover that this unfortunate Hottentot was a man
whose gratitude was not to be won by kindness: he appeared already
to have forgotten the treatment which he had received from me, and
which was more that of a friend than of a master: he told me that
as I had thus made an exposition of him by finding fault with him
before all the village, he should cease to be so attentive and careful
as he had hitherto always been, and should in future take no more
pains than any of the other Hottentots. The sight of the poor
fellow’s hand checked all the anger which I ought to have shown at
such a speech; and I contented myself with ordermg him away.
Yet I could not but be exceedingly hurt and disappointed, at finding
symptoms of unworthiness, in a Hottentot, of whom I was so desirotis
of thinking well.

5th. Every thing belonging to my waggons being at length put
in proper condition, and all our preparations and arrangements being
now completed, I gave, with the utmost satisfaction, orders to Philip
to fetch my oxen from Grootedoorn.

The missionaries obligingly sent me from their garden some
potatoes and onions for my journey, which I accepted as a very
useful present ; it being my intention to plant them in the Interior,
or give them tothe natives. For this purpose I had brought a quan-
tity of peach-stones, and other seeds, from Graaffreynet ; and had
also brought some potatoes from the Cape; but finding these would
not keep till I reached Litaakun, I had given them to the missionaries,
to receive fresh roots at my departure. I left in their hands, some
beads, for the purpose of paying any of the natives who might be the
bearer of my letters from the Interior, should I afterwards meet with
an opportunity of sending any to Klaarwater. |

6th. In the morning Philip returned with the oxen: but reported
that in consequence of Abram Abrams neglecting on the night before,

1812. THE WILD-DOG OR HUNTING-HYENA. 299

to secure them, as usual, in the cattle-pound, the Wilde Honden
(Wild Dogs,) * had bitten off the tails of three. One had only lost
the brush, but the others were deprived of the whole.

This species of hyena is remarkable for hunting in regular

* Hyena venatica, B. (See the note at page 456. of the first volume.) This animal is
smaller, and of a more slender make, than either the common Striped Hyena, or the Spotted
or Crocuta. The general, or ground, color is a sandy bay, or an ochraceous yellow shaded
with a darker brown. The whole body is bloatched and brindled with black, intermingled
in various parts with spots of white; and the legs are generally marked in the same
manner. All these spots and markings are exceedingly irregular, and, in some degree,
vary in different individuals. Its more constant marks are; a deep black stripe extending
from the nose up the middle of the face and between the ears: these, blackish both within
and without, and covered with short close hair which is sometimes very thin: at the
anterior margin of the ears, on the inside, a thin and observable tuft of whitish hairs: the
nose and muzzle, black. The tail is bushy like that of the fox, and is divided in the
middle by a ring of black, above which, or towards the insertion, the color is nearly the
same as the general tint of the body; but below, or towards the end, it is white.

The osteology of this animal throws some difficulty in the way of its generic arrange-
ment, and even raises some doubt as to the propriety of dividing the Linnzan genus
Canis by characters which might pass as merely specific, or as convenient only for a
generic subdivision. The Dog, the Wolf, and this Hyena, correspond in having six
grinders in their upper jaw: and in their lower, seven; of which the hindmost is very
small. They also agree in the form, and number, of their ribs and lumbar vertebre ;
having seven of the latter. Their ribs, of which there are thirteen, are thin and narrow.
But both in the Striped, and the Spotted, Hyena, they are fifteen in number, and of an
extraordinary breadth; and are, proportionally much stronger and larger, than in any
quadruped of their size: in these, the grinders are only four, or at most five, in number ;
and the lumbar vertebrae not more than five.

The present animal, therefore, with respect to its teeth, ribs and lumbar vertebre,
would be arranged in the genus Canis ; from which, however, it differs by having but four
toes on each foot, and, it is said, in other essential particulars. With the genus Hyena,
it agrees in number of toes, but differs from it in teeth and in conformation of the skeleten.
These differences were first noticed to me by Mr. Brookes, in whose valuable museum of
Comparative Anatomy, and by whose liberality, I have had an opportunity of examining
the skeletons of all these quadrupeds ; and where the animal in question is considered as
forming a new genus.

At page 222. and at the end of this chapter, are given figures of the Hyena venatica
in different positions. They were drawn from a living subject given me by my friend
Mr. Hesse; and which I kept in my possession for thirteen months, chained up in a stable-
yard. During that time its ferocious nature deterred every body from an attempt at
taming it; but it became at length so much softened in manners, as to play with a common
domestic dog, also chained up in the yard, without manifesting any desire of hurting its
companion; but the man who fed it, dared never to venture his hand upon it.

230 FOLLY OF MUTILATING THE TAILS OF HORSES. 6 June,

packs: though in general a nocturnal animal, it frequently pursues
its prey by day; and as it is well formed by nature for speed, none
but the fleeter animals can escape. Sheep and oxen therefore
are more particularly exposed to its attacks: the first openly, but
the latter only by stealth, as in the present instance, surprising
them in their sleep and suddenly biting off their tails; which the
large opening and great power of their jaws, enable them to do
with ease.

I have never heard that large cattle are assaulted by them in
any other way; but the loss of their ¢ail is a cruel inconvenience
to cows and oxen, in a country where the warmth of the climate
subjects them to great annoyance from flies. The colonists are
aware of this inconvenience, and have the good sense to allow all
their horses to enjoy the use of this most serviceable appendage.
There cannot be a greater proof of bad taste and thoughtless cruelty,
than, in viewing so beautiful an animal as the horse, so far to pervert
all reason and sound judgment, as to consider that a mutilated
stump is more handsome than the fine flowing brush which Nature,
from whose works all our ideas of taste and beauty ought to be
derived, has wisely bestowed. And it is to be hoped that we may
yet live to see the time, when this error and folly will be utterly
exploded.

Before we started, I sent for Gert to the waggon; and after
giving him some useful, but mild, admonitions relative to the faithful
discharge of his duty, in showing, by due respect at least, that he
had not forgotten all the former kindness of his master, I told him
that, wishing that the whole of my party should commence the journey
in mutual goodwill, it was my intention to overlook all which had
passed, and that I would request Mr. Anderson to use his persuasion
in making peace with the captain.

To this end, he was permitted to remain at Klaarwater till the
next day, as he could, on horseback, easily overtake us; and the
same permission was given to Cornelis and Van Roye, that they
might remain still a few hours longer with their friends. The latter

1812. TAKING LEAVE AT KLAARWATER. 931

cl

was well known to many of the Hottentots here, as he had a son
living under the protection of one of the families; and whom he
now owned, though ashamed and displeased at finding that he knew
much more of the Hottentot language, than of the Dutch. |

At taking leave of their husbands, the two women shed tears,
as if about to part for ever: and I confess that had I not believed
in the probability, as well as possibility, of our advancing through to
the western coast, I would have allowed them to accompany us. I
promised that I would not take their husbands where there was
evident danger, and assured them that we should return safe; but I
cautioned them not to be uneasy if we remained absent longer than
we expected, as it was quite uncertain, and depended upon circum-
stances, whether I should feel disposed to travel as expeditiously as
possible through these countries, or whether I should proceed only at
a slow rate. When I told them, they might rely on my taking as
much care of the men as of myself, and that they should. not be
intentionally exposed to danger, Hannah in her usual manner, re-
plied with a word, but Truy expressed herself warmly thankful.

In taking leave of the missionaries, my thanks were due for many
little civilities: to Mr. Jansz I considered myself indebted for some
friendly acts, which I have already mentioned; nor am I less grateful
for whatever attentions Mr. Anderson or Mr. Kramer thought proper
to show me: nor do I remember without pleasure, my obligation
to Mrs. Anderson’s kindness. Little was said at parting; and it
was not without some emotion, that I finally bade farewell to the
last Europeans with whom I could possibly converse, for a long
period.

As I passed by their huts, several Hottentots were waiting to
wish me a safe journey, and Dag! Mynheer Bairsey, was their last
salutation. :

When the waggons had gained the top of the ridge beyond the
village, Gert earnestly requested me to allow a parting salute to be
fired, and assured me that he knew the inhabitants would not leave
it this time unanswered. At first, I deemed it wiser to save my

232 A PARTING SALUTE. 6 Jung, 1812.

powder, than to waste it in mere form; but my people on this occa-
sion, were extremely desirous of testifying an affectionate farewell
to the various friends and acquaintances which so long an abode at
this settlement, had given them an opportunity of forming. I there-
fore gave them leave to fire a dozen discharges; soon after which,
seven or eight from different quarters, were given us in return.

CHAPTER IX.

JOURNEY IN THE COUNTRY OF THE KORAS, FROM KLAARWATER TO
SENSAVAN.

Iv was about four in the afternoon, when we took our last view of
Klaarwater, and had fairly entered upon our journey into the Interior.
The hills on this side of the country were well covered with shrubs *,
though no where so thickly as to impede travelling.

Although I intended to make but a short stage the first day, night
overtook us on the road, and extreme darkness, added to deep ruts
and holes, required our greatest care to avoid overturning the
waggons. That no accident of this kind might happen on the first
day, which would have been interpreted as a bad omen, I preceded
on foot to discover the more dangerous places, in time to warn the
drivers, and leaders. Philip was the driver of the great waggon, and
Juli of the other; and their leaders were Stuurman and Andries: an

* Chiefly a Tarchonanthus like T.camphoratus, Spartium cuspidosum, and Rhus
tridactyle a shrub of very delicate and pleasing appearance.

VOL. II. H H

934 AN ACCIDENT AT NIGHT. 6,7 JUNE,

arrangement which was preserved during the greater part of our
travels in the Transgariepine.

Meeting thus with a deep hole, I called to the other driver
who was at some distance behind, and directed him how to avoid it.
We continued for some time to lead the way, till a signal from Juli’s
whip, announced that some occurrence there required our presence.
On going back we found that the leader had carelessly brought the
waggon into the very place which had been pointed out. It fortunately
was not quite, though very nearly, overturned; but it was not
possible for the oxen to drag it out. Spades and pickaxes were im-
mediately fetched from the other waggon, and after an hour’s work,
the obstructing earth was sufficiently cleared away, and the hole filled
with bushes, to admit of the vehicle being drawn safely out.

Without any further accident, we arrived at Moses’ Fountain,
between eight and nine. Near this spring resided the Hottentot
named old Moses, whose cattle were at that time under the care of
some Bachapins whom he had engaged in his service. These men
had constructed for themselves two neat huts of bushes covered with
grass. They were curious to learn from my men, what were my
plans, and what was the object of my visiting their country; but
I considered it more prudent to caution my people against giving
them too much information.

7th. On rising this morning, I discovered that all the Hottentots,
excepting Stuurman, were absent. His story was, that they were all,
excepting Andries who was attending the oxen, gone in search of the
sheep which had strayed away in the night. Speelman, however, who
had been yesterday sent to Cupido Kok’s place at Taaibosch Fountain *,
arrived soon afterwards, with my oxen, having met them four miles
off, wandering by themselves, without any herdsman within sight.
In driving them home, he met two of the people on the search,
who confessed that the oxen were early in the morning loosened

* Taaibosch (Tough-bush) is a Dutch name given to several species of Rhus. This
name was also given to a Kora captain or chieftain, hereafter mentioned on the 29th of

July.

1812. A FALL OF SNOW. 935

from the waggons, to which they had been made fast during the
night, and turned to graze without any one to watch them. Stuur-
man, thinking I should be less angry at their neglecting the sheep
than the oxen, had fabricated his story with that view: yet so far
he was correct, that the sheep had also gone astray. But the greatest
cause of vexation was, the discovering at our first setting out, that
I had those with me, on whose word no dependence could be placed,
and who were capable of deceiving their master, on the most trifling
necessity.

My object in sending Speelman to Taaibosch, was to fetch the
bullet-mould belonging to the gun which had been lent me by Cupido
in the place of my great rifle; and to demand from his wife the
sheep which was due for the gunpowder. But neither of these
objects were obtained, as the woman was not at home, and old
Daniel, who was left in charge of the place, refused to give
them up.

When the oxen came home, it was too late to commence a
day’s journey, as the rest of the people did not return till the even-
ing, and after a fatiguing and, on their part, fruitless search.

The weather of this day, might seem extraordinary in the
twenty-ninth degree of latitude: the mercury in the thermometer,
did not rise above 36; and, during the whole day, there was a
light fall of snow attended with a chilling wind. ‘This was the
only time I have seen snow northward of the Gariep. It entirely
whitened the ground, and remained unmelted till the next morning.
This appearance was so unusual to an eye accustomed to Africa,
that I viewed it as an interesting sight; but probably some un-
perceived association of ideas induced me to think so, as the weather
was, to bodily feeling, so extremely cold, that it was found painful
and scarcely to be endured without the assistance of a watch-coat,
and the fur coverlet, the value of which latter as a warm covering,
had been well proved during my return from Sneeuwberg, and was
now considered as an indispensable article of a traveller’s baggage.
To him who may enter on a similar expedition, I would recommend

HH 2

236 THE METSISSANNI. 8, 9 June,

it, with the certainty of his feeling as thankful for the hint, as I my-
self am to the person from whom I first received it.

8th. In the morning Van Roye arrived alone, the other horses
having strayed away; but he left Cornelis and Gert, with several
people in search of them. As they were expected soon to over-
take us, I ordered the oxen to be immediately yoked; and per-
mitted Van Roye, who complained of being unwell, to ride forward,
and make the best of his way to our next station. _

The country was open, and in many places abounding in bushes ;
but might every where be traversed with waggons; the tracks of
which leading from Klaarwater to the different outposts, were crossed
several times this day; and by following one of them as our guide
over the plain, we were drawn considerably out of our way.

Discovering, at length, that it was conducting us to one of the
kraals under Langberg (Long Mountain) a lofty and very extensive
mountain in sight to the west, we turned again eastward and, after
wandering in uncertainty for some time, fell in with the direct road
from Gattikamma to Ongeluks Fountain: a track, however, very little
beaten.

In this part of the country, I found, for the first time, a very
beautiful species of Acacia, most remarkable for its low growth;
being seldom more than a foot and a half in height, and of an her-
baceous nature, the stems dying down to the ground every year.
Yet its leaves, bunches of flowers, and pods, were larger than any
of the arborescent species. It was not at this time in flower, but
was afterwards met with in abundance in the sandy plains farther
in the Interior; where I discovered that its roots constituted a
favorite food with the elephant.* Its Sichuana name is metsissénni.

* Acacia elephantina, B. Catal. Geogr. 2410. Planta herbacea sub-bipedalis, inermis,
glabra. Radix longissima lignosa. Caules pauci simplices, erecti, annui. Folia bipin-
nata, pinnis 12-jugis. Foliola lanceolata et lineari-lanceolata, (seepe apice rotundato,)
circiter 20-juga. Spicae-elongatze cylindrica, solitarize, axillares. Flores herbacei coloris.
Antherarum apices glanduliferi; glandula decidua. Legumen maximum (7-pollicare),
compressum bivalve. :

1812. ONGELUKS FOUNTAIN. 237

Ongeluks Fontein (Accident Fountain) being an inhabited place,
it was to be expected that firewood would not, at night, easily be
found near the kraal, and my men, therefore, took the precaution,
when passing a spot where bushes abounded, to load up in the
waggon, enough for our use till morning: as we found, it would be
dark before we arrived there. This spring derived its name from the
circumstance of a Hottentot having here lost his life by the gun of
one of his companions accidentally exploding; by which he was
severely wounded: yet there appeared, it was said, every favorable
chance of his recovery, until the report of a musket, thoughtlessly
discharged too near him, threw the unfortunate man into so violent a
state of alarm and agitation, that his death soon followed.

9th. At Ongeluks Fountain, about fifteen huts placed irregularly,
and dispersed so wide apart that some were out of sight of the
others, form a kraal or outpost where many of the Klaarwater
Hottentots reside with their cattle, as long as any pasturage can be
found in the vicinity. Its size, and the number of its inhabitants,
are, like those of all the Hottentot outposts, so fluctuating that some-
times the spot is quite deserted: nor does it seem that at any season,
the least attempt at cultivation is ever made here; as the ground no
where appeared to have been broken.

Van Roye, unknown to me, had passed the night at one of the
distant huts; and though he heard us arrive, he left me till this
morning in some anxiety on account of his absence. I should have
supposed that his visit to Europe, and the instructions which he had
received, would have taught him the propriety of letting me know
that he was at the kraal; but he came to the waggons the next day
without making any excuse, or even a remark.

Speelman, Platje, and Keyser, with the same Hottentot uncon-
cern, made their appearance in the morning after having also passed
the night at one of the huts. This kind of apathy is very common
among Hottentots, and forms one of the unpleasant features of their
character.

I had yesterday sent them a second time to Taaibosch for the
sheep, of which we were beginning to be in want, as my flock was

238 ZEBRA.— SENDING FOR MUCHUNKA. 9—11 June,

already reduced to six; and gave them a message urging the neces-
sity of its being delivered to us, especially as it was our due. Daniel,
therefore, paid them their demand, although, as he said, Cupido had
gone away, without leaving any instructions at home respecting the
debt.

At noon Gert and Cornelis arrived from K/laarwater with the
horses. I now congratulated myself on beholding at length, my
whole party removed away from that village; a place, of which the re-
collection afforded me but little pleasure. The numerous vexatious
occurrences and disappointments which I there met with, put my
patience severely to the trial; while, to counterbalance these, few
circumstances were found, to give my mind those agreeable im-
pressions which I had anticipated when in Cape Town. The reality
was indeed, different from the picture. But—JI had now quitted
it, and began to feel at ease again.

My men were this day employed chiefly in trying their guns,
and in putting every thing relating to them, in proper order. It was
established as a standing regulation, ‘that the oxen should never,
excepting through want of pasturage, be suffered to graze out of
sight of the waggons; and that they should every night be made
fast.

Speelman, whose future employment on the journey, was to be
that of hunting, went out this morning, and in a few hours, returned,
having shot a zebra; which, however, could not be fetched home till
the next day. This meat though much eaten by Hottentots, is, as
already noticed, rejected by the colonists: my two baptized men,
therefore, informed me, that they were unable to eat it; and, as
they declared that it always created a nausea, I suffered a sheep to
be killed, as we had no other game to give them. I thus soon began
to perceive, that I had with me, two men who were of a class supe-
rior to Hottentots.

10#h. It having been previously agreed on, that my interpreter
Muchinka should join me at this place, I sent off Philip, Speelman,
and Stuurman, at sunrise to find their way to Willem Casper’s (or
Jafter’s) under the Langberg, where he was residing ; to let him know

1812. GOATS.— HOTTENTOTS REMOVING THEIR HUTS. 239

that we were waiting for him. This place had been pointed out to
us, as bearing due west from Ongeluks ; and, as it was at the distance
of a long day’s journey over a wild country, I delivered out to these
three, a supply of ammunition for their defence, as well as for the
purpose of shooting any game which might be met with on their
return,

11th. At noon a waggon and party of Hottentots, halted for a
few minutes, on their way from Klaarwater to Casper’s kraal, where
they reside. These people are naturally, or habitually, fond of
journeying about from one kraal to another; and in this occupation
they have worn down tracks across the country, which in several
places, assume the appearance of regular roads. ‘That which leads,
from the Roggeveld is sufficiently beaten, if seen by daylight, to guide a
stranger to Klaarwater: and it is probable that in time, the road which
we had now opened to Graaffreynet, will become equally beaten.

The Hottentots who were lying here at this time with their
families and cattle, possessed a great number of goats; but I saw
among them no sheep. ‘The former, requiring less care, and being at
the same time less difficult to manage, are better suited to the indo-
lence of these people; although the preference which they give to
mutton, on account of its greater abundance of fat, is an inducement
for rearing sheep; of which they might in these extensive pastures,
breed innumerable flocks, if they possessed the prudence to refrain
at first from using them too freely. The whole number of their
cattle at this place, large and small, appeared to be about two
hundred.

Observing a family busied in taking their house to pieces, I
amused myself in watching the progress of their work, supposing
they were about to pack it up and depart; but as soon as this
was done, they carried all the materials, after having well beaten
them, to a distance only of a few yards; where they soon erected
it again. The whole operation of pulling down, removing, and
building up, occupied no more than six hours; and it might pos-
sibly have been done in much less time. On inquiring the reason
of what I thought an odd whim, their thus taking so much trouble,

~

240 FLEAS. — THE CAMELTHORN OR MOKAALA. 11,12 June,

and only to move so short a distance, one of the women convinced
me of their having very good cause for changing the place, as the —
spot was swarming with fleas. This is a domestic misfortune very
common among Hottentots; and as the active little insect is always
found to be too powerful, they endure this ejectment, as one of the
unavoidable evils of life, and quietly retreat, leaving their numerous
enemies in possession of the field. In warm dry climates these
insects are every where troublesome, the Dutch colonists, who in
general are far from being neglectful of domestic cleanliness, are
in the summer, obliged frequently to sprinkle their floors with
water ; a method which is found to be effectual for driving them
away. But the Hottentots, to save themselves this daily trouble,
prefer that of occasionally removing their huts altogether.

12th. In many parts of the plain, in the neighbourhood of this
spring, the surface is thickly strewed with stones of quartz; among
which are some having the nature of chalcedony, chert in nodules,
and some containing thallite.

Here for the first time, I saw trees of a remarkable species of
acacia, having thick brown thorns and an oval pod of a solid mealy
substance within, and which never opens as those of other acacias:
in this singularity resembling only the Acacia atomiphylla, from
which, however, it differs in most other respects. The head of this
tree is thick and spreading, and of a form and appearance which
distinguish it at a great distance from the other trees of the country.
It is called Kameel-doorn (Camelthorn), because the camelopardalis
browses chiefly on it: but its more proper name is Mokdala; and by
this, it is known to all the Bichuana nations. The general form and
character of this tree, will be better understood by referring to the
fifth and sixth plates of this volume. It is one of the largest in these
regions, greatly exceeding the common Cape acacia, though closely
resembling it in flower and foliage, but differing in growth, and by
abounding only in dry plains and sandy deserts; while the common
Karro-thorn is found principally on the banks of rivers. Its wood is
excessively hard and heavy; of a dark or reddish brown color ; and,
is used by the Bichuanas for their smaller domestic utensils, such as

1812. THE SIKI.— SQUIRRELS. 941

spoons, and handles of knives. There are some other undescribed
species which resemble it in form and growth, and, though botanically
distinct, are by the Hottentots, confounded with it under one name ;
but the pod alone is sufficient to make this particular sort easily
known from the rest. The technical name, therefore, of Acacia
giraffe is adopted for this, although equally applicable to other
species.

The principal shrubs about Ongeluks Fountain, are the Tar-
chonanthus, the Hookthorn, the Karrothorn, and a dwarf Acacia *
called Stki by the Bichuanas. This last, which is about two or three
feet high, is remarkable from the circumstance of its trunk or stem
running just beneath the surface of the earth, and from which arise
a multitude of shoots or branches. The spring affords an abundant
supply of water at all seasons. +

In the vicinity, a number of Meerkats have their burrows: these
are a species of squirrel { of about the size of our common squirrel.
It has no outward ears, and its body is very thinly covered with short
coarse hair, which is brittle and may easily be rubbed off; but the
tail, which is longer than the body, is furnished with long spreading
hairs as in the European kind. It was seen to live chiefly on the
roots of plants, which it scratched up with its fore feet. It is
common in some parts of the Colony, and being a pretty little
animal, is sometimes domesticated.

The mountains which form the range called Langberg (Long-
Mountain,) are in view from this place, notwithstanding they were,
according to the report of the Hottentots, above thirty miles distant.
During the last days of our stay here, they. were not visible, on account
of the great depth of hazy vapour arising from the intervening plains.

* Acacia stolonifera, B. Catal. Geogr. 2138. Caules subterranei stoloniferi. Ramuli,
folia, et etiam spine, pubescentia. Folia bipinnata. Pinna 3—7-jugz. Foliola oblongo-
lanceolata 7—15-juga. Spine gemine stipulares albide patentes, apicibus fuscis sub-
recurvis. Flores flavi in capitulis axillaribus pluribus (2—6) globosis pedunculatis.
Legumina recta, flava, obliqué striata, cava.

+ Mentha Capensis, was found growing by the side of the spring, even at this dis-
tance in the Interior: and in the water I discovered a species of Zanichellia, which
corresponded with the description of %. dentata.

t Sczurus Capensis.

VOL. II. II

249 THE LONG-MOUNTAIN.— ARRIVAL OF MUCHUNKA. 12—14 Joye,

They appeared to be very lofty, and it was said that on the other
side there is little descent, the country continuing at the same
high level: which fact, as the air must there be colder than in the
lower plains about Klaarwater, has induced the Hottentots to keep
their horses there during the season of the paardeziekte (horse-dis-
temper). The plains on the other side, are called by the name of
Zandveld (Sand-country). There is another elevated tract between
Langberg and The Kloof, where horses are also kept, and which is
therefore named Paardeberg (Hotse-mountain). Respecting the
regions lying westward from Zandveld, I could obtain no information.

13th. Stonebucks were met with in the surrounding plains; two
of them were shot by Juli, who soon began to prove himself a good
marksman, a qualification which Hottentots in general are very
desirous of acquiring, and which they consider as one of the most
valuable and important.

The three men whom I had sent to fetch Muchunka, did not
return till this morning, having found the journey to Langberg,
longer than they were able to perform in one day. Their powder-
horns were empty, all their bullets gone, and yet they had shot
nothing: to account for which, they asserted that they had missed
their aim every time they fired. But they had been at an outpost of
Klaarwater people ; and this was the true cause of all their ammuni-
tion being gone. What they got in return for it, I could not discover;
it is probable that the people at the Kraal required it of them, as an
act of friendship from one Hottentot to another. There are two
things much wanting with many of these Hottentots, and which, it is
to be hoped, the missionaries will not think too much beneath the
notice of evangelical teachers to instruct them in the best mode of
acquiring: these are, veracity and a conscientious discharge of the
moral duties.

However, their arrival, with or without ammunition, gave me
much pleasure, when I saw that Muchunka was with them; as I had
long been greatly in fear that when the time for his services arrived,
it would be found that he also had been dissuaded from venturing to
accompany us: but fortunately for me, he was a man not much

1812. STRENGTH OF THE PARTY. . 243

wanted, and of no particular importance to the settlement. I was
glad to add to my party, not only an interpreter, but a person whose
manners were a little more lively than those of Hottentots; and I
hoped therefore that his presence would give some animation to our
fireside. |

Mr. Anderson, who was desirous of having a drawing of Klaar-
water, had requested that I would make one for him. With this
I readily complied, as he engaged expressly that it should not be
sent to Europe before I arrived there myself, and that it should
not, at all events be engraved from. As I was exceedingly anxious
to quit that village, I was unwilling to delay my departure on this
account ; but promised to finish it at Ongeluks, while waiting for
Muchunka’s arrival. This promise I now performed; and sent the
drawing by one of the Hottentots of the out-post, who returned to
Klaarwater on the following day.*

14th. All the members of the party with whom the journey was
to be performed, were now at length collected together ; and amounted
only to ten Hottentots, and a native interpreter. As a body of men
intended for their own defence, against the assaults of a hostile tribe,
this number was very insufficient ; but with a due proportion of
prudence and personal courage, they would be enough for repelling
any predatory attack ; and might in a favourable situation, be able,
with the advantage of fire-arms, to stand against a multitude of such
opponents as those men would probably be, whom we were likely to
meet, should they even prove disposed to harm us.

There was still some work to be done about the waggons, which
would have employed my people here another day, but as I wished to
remove them beyond the reach of further communication with the

* Sequel. — On my return to Cape Town, at the termination of my travels, I found
that other people had been much more expeditious than myself; for not only had the
drawing reached that town, and proceeded to England, but it had even made its way back
again; and was recognised in the form of a print engraved to be the principal
ornament of a book of Missionary Travels by a person who visited Klaarwater five months
after I finally left it, and who so much admired this drawing, that he has thought it worthy
of being published as his own.

Tears

244 e ON THE BARKING OF DOGS, AND 14, 15 Jung,

Hottentots of the outposts, who, I feared, might by their conversa-
tion give my new men false ideas of the dangers of our journey, I
resolved to remove to Doorn river, a distance of six miles.

Here we arrived at ten in the morning; and found merely the
bed of a river, in which water was to be met with only here and there
in a few shallow pools. A grove of large trees of the common acacia
or doornboom gave the spot a pleasant sheltered appearance. On our.
way we passed a few single trees of the camelthorn which, by their
size, attracted our attention.

15th. In the middle of the night I was awakened by the barking
of some of our dogs, which continued for a considerable time: thinking
it might be occasioned by the approach of hostile Bushmen, I arose
and woke some of the people, that they might keep watch against
danger ; but we should have spared ourselves this trouble, if we had
not neglected to attend to the various tones of barking which dogs
assume on different occasions; and should have known that it was
not men, at which they were now so much enraged. For, in the
morning one of the Hottentots found at some distance from our
station, the remains of a kaama or hartebeest, which had been
devoured by a lion: and this it was, which the dogs either heard or
scented, although none of us were able to distinguish the slightest
sound. <A leg of this hartebeest was brought home and broiled for
breakfast.

Our pack of dogs consisted of about five-and-twenty of various
sorts and sizes. ‘This variety, though not altogether intentional, as I
was obliged to take any that could be procured, was of the greatest
service on such an expedition, as I observed that some gave notice of
danger in one way, and others, in another. Some were more dis-
posed to watch against men, and others against wild beasts; some
discovered an enemy by their quickness of hearing, others by that of
‘scent; some were useful only for their vigilance and barking; some
for speed in pursuing game; and others for courage in holding
ferocious animals at bay. So large a pack was not, indeed, maintained
without adding greatly to our care and trouble, in supplying them
with meat and water; for it was sometimes difficult to procure for

1812. THEIR ATTACHMENT TO MAN. 945

them enough of the latter: but their services were invaluable, often
contributing to our safety, and always, to our ease, by their constant
vigilance ; as we felt a confidence that no danger could approach us
at night without being announced by their barking. No circum-
stances could render the value and fidelity of these animals so con-
spicuous and sensible, as a journey through regions which, abounding
in wild beasts of almost every class, gave continual opportunities of
witnessing the strong contrast in their habits, between the ferocious
beasts of prey which fly at the approach of man, and these kind, but
too often injured, companions of the human race. Many times when
we have been travelling over plains where those have fled the moment
we appeared in sight, have I turned my eyes towards my dogs, to
admire their attachment, and have felt a grateful affection towards
them for preferring our society to the wild liberty of other quadru-
peds. Often, in the middle of the night, when all my people have
been fast asleep around the fire, have I stood to contemplate these
faithful animals lying by their side, and have learnt to esteem them
for their social inclination to mankind. When wandering over path-
less deserts, oppressed with vexation and distress at the conduct of my
own men, I have turned to these, as my only friends, and felt how
much inferior to them was man when actuated only by selfish views.

The familiarity which subsists between this animal and our own
race, is so common to almost every country of the globe, that any
remark upon it must seem superfluous ; but I cannot avoid believing
that it is the universality of the fact which prevents the greater part
of mankind from reflecting duly on the subject. While almost every
other quadruped fears man as its most formidable enemy ; here is
one which regards him as his companion, and follows him as his
friend. We must not mistake the nature of the case: it is not
because we train him to our use, and have made choice of him in
preference to other animals; but because this particular species.
feels a natural desire to be useful to man and from spontaneous
impulse attaches itself to him. Were it not so, we should see
in various countries an equal familiarity with various other
quadrupeds; according to the habits, the taste, or the caprice
of different nations. But every where it is the dog only, which

246 MAKING CARTRIDGES. 15, 16 June,

takes delight in associating with us, in sharing our abode, and
is even jealous that our attention should be bestowed on him
alone: it is he, who knows us personally, watches for us and warns
us of danger. It is impossible for the naturalist, when taking a
survey of the whole animal creation, not to feel a conviction that
this friendship between two creatures so different from each other,
must be the result of the laws of Nature; nor can the humane and
feeling mind avoid the belief that kindness to those animals from
which he derives continued and essential assistance, is part of his
moral duty. To me, during my travels, the horse and the ox were
scarcely less the objects of my admiration and gratitude; and his
patient performance of his unceasing and daily labors, strongly
attached the latter to me.

As the expeditious loading of our muskets, might, under a variety
of circumstances, be of the greatest importance, | employed six
of the people in making cartridges ; and in the course of the morning,
we completed between two and three hundred. This being a work
with which none of my men were acquainted, I was compelled to be
their instructor and overseer.

As both Speelman and Philip had been in military service, I
concluded that they would impress their companions with a proper
idea of the advantages of this mode of loading. But although all
confessed that it was excellent; yet such was the influence and force
of habit and custom, that they never could be brought voluntarily to
adopt this improvement. Having first learnt from the boors, to carry
their powder in a horn, and their bullets in a kogel-tas (bullet-pouch)
they were now either too awkward, or too lazy, to practise any new
method. Though their ammunition was for a long time delivered to
them in this form, and though they always professed to follow my
instructions, I discovered that at length they frequently took the
cartridges to pieces, and loaded their guns in the old manner; in
which much powder is wasted. But during our travels in the Trans-
gariepine, I continued the use of these; although at last they were
allowed when hunting, also to carry loose powder and ball. A large
stock of cartridges, however, was always kept ready in my waggon,
in case of any sudden attack from the savages.

1812. A MODE OF PUNISHMENT. — DOUBLE RATIONS. 947

Andries and Stuurman, who had been appointed to attend the
oxen and sheep at pasture, were now so neglectful of their duty, that
the latter were suffered to stray. As soon as this was discovered,
two men on horseback were sent in search, and they at length found
them at Ongeluks Fountain, a distance of six miles. As a punish-
ment for this neglect, and as an example to the others, I withheld
their rations of brandy and tobacco.

In giving to the people their usual allowance of brandy, which
was portioned so as to avoid the risk of intoxication, I noticed a
singular expedient to which they resorted in order to counteract my
precaution and to render more sensible the exhilarating effects of the
spirit. ‘They had made agreements with each other to give up their
rations alternately ; and were content to remain one turn without
any, in order that on the next they might receive a double quantity.
On coming to their fire in the evening, it was easy to perceive, by
their unusual talkativeness and animation, whose turn it had been to
have double rations.

Our biscuit and flour being all expended, we now began to
make use of, what was intended for, our last resource, and opened
the sack of rice. Afterwards, when this was all consumed, we con-
tinued from necessity, to live on animal food alone, and literally with-
out the smallest addition of any thing of a vegetable nature.

16th. During this day, we travelled over an open country, the
soil of which was generally a red loamy earth, thickly covered with
grass, in which the track we followed was nearly obliterated, or very
faintly marked. At this season we found the grass dried up, though
it still remained standing in the same position as when alive and
growing. As we were obliged to force our way through it much
inconvenience was experienced from its barbed seeds and triple awns,
which, adhering to my clothes, and their sharp points creeping through
to the flesh, occasioned a constant irritation.*

These plains abounded also in large bushes of Tarchonanthus ;

* These were the seeds of two or three species of Aristida (Chetaria), of an Anthis-
tiria, and of different sorts of Andropogon.

I48 THE FOOTSTEPS OF A CAMELOPARDALIS. 16 JuNE,

and were varied with frequent clumps of the Karro-thorn. It was
remarkable that, although most of the shrubs in these countries are
food for various wild animals, neither the tarchonanthus, nor any of
the species of Rhus, exhibited marks of having been browsed upon ;
a sufficient proof, that they are either unwholesome, or unpleasant
to their palate.

Those who have acquired a taste for zoological information,
will readily comprehend in what manner the footmarks of an animal
could be interesting, or afford any particular gratification such as
I experienced in this day’s journey, when they are told that we
now first distinguished the track of the tallest of all the quadrupeds
in the world; of one which, from the time of the Romans until the
middle of the last century, was so little known to the nations of:
Europe, as to have been at length considered by most people as a
fabulous creature; one not existing on the globe. No person who
has read, even the popular books of natural history, could, I think,
behold for the first time, the ground over which he is walking,
imprinted with the recent footsteps of a camelopardalis, without
feeling some strange and peculiar interest at the sight. The animal
itself was not observed, but our attention was now awakened by the
expectation of soon getting a full view of this extraordinary creature ;
and the hope of being the first of the partyin to see it, kept all my men
on the look-out the whole day.

Having travelled till sunset without meeting with any water, and
being assured by Muchunka that the next spring was too far to be
reached before night, we halted at a spot where a clump of acacias *
offered us a convenient shelter. Our cattle were made fast to the
stems, and carefully watched to prevent their breaking loose; for, as
they were unable here to quench their thirst, they would otherwise

* Tn all the preceding part of the journey, the arro-thorn, having been the pre-
dominant species of the genus, has been most frequently noticed by the name of acacia ;
and whenever this word may in future occur without special distinction, it is to be under-
stood as intending the Acacia Capensis, already described in the first volume, at pages 195
and 196, or a species so closely resembling it, as not to be distinguished but by the botanist.

1812. JAN BLOEM THE ROBBER. 949

by returning to our last station, have caused much delay, besides
the trouble of going back a day’s journey in search of them. We
suffered no inconvenience ourselves from this want of water, as we
had taken the precaution of filling two of our casks, before we
set out.

17th. Early in the morning we yoked the oxen to the waggons,
and, in less than two hours, arrived at a spring where there was
still abundance of good water. This was called Bloem’s Fountain,
after a man named Jan Bloem* who had formerly resided in the
Colony, but who stationed himself at this spring, and continued for
some years to lead a lawless life. He associated with him a party of
Hottentots and a considerable number of the surrounding natives ;
and, by giving them a share of the booty, induced them to assist him
in his plundering expeditions against the Bachapins and other tribes,
from whom he carried off innumerable herds of cattle, and thus, for
a long time, supported himself by successful villany and unprovoked
outrage. Tempted, at length, by the reported wealth of the Nudkketsi
nation, he made, conjointly with a Bichuana chief named Makrakki,
an attack upon their chief town; but this being situated on a hill and
therefore in some respects naturally fortified, he was completely
repulsed. It is said that his ally, whose people had formerly suffered
also from his robberies, thus disappointed in his booty and fearing
some future mischief from his dangerous associate, caused the water
at which he was then lying, to be poisoned ; and the death of this
lawless disturber, was the well merited and unlamented consequence.

On arriving at Bloem’s Fountain, we found the spot occupied by
a lion, with a lioness and her two whelps; and at the same time a
buffalo | was drinking there. On our sending the dogs to drive
them out, they all took flight; but the buffalo was pursued on
horseback by Philip, and, after a short chase, overtaken and shot.

The little waggon was immediately unloaded to fetch home the
carcass ; and I accompanied it, that I might have an opportunity of

* Already mentioned at page 6. + Bos caffer.
VOL. II. K K

250 DESCRIPTION OF THE 17 June,

examining the animal before it was cut up; this being the first of the
species which I had seen.

The name of buffalo, presents another example of the misap-
plication of European names to the wild animals of Southern Africa,
and of the erroneous notions to which it gives rise. By those who
are not read in zoology, the buffel or buffalo of the Cape, called by
the Bichuanas Naari, is most frequently supposed to be the same
with the animals which bear that name in Italy, Greece, and India,
instead of a huge beast much more ferocious and dangerous, and
which has never yet been tamed to the use of man. It is, however,
an animal hitherto found no where but in the extratropical part of
Southern Africa, and is widely distinct from every other species of the
ox tribe, and most remarkable by its horns which, though not of more
than ordinary or proportional length, are so unusually broad at their
base as to cover the whole forehead, and give to it the appearance of
a mass of rock ; an appearance to which the ruggedness and uneven-
ness of their surface greatly contribute. “Its countenance exhibits a
savage and malevolent expression. Its bulk far exceeds that of the
ox, although its height be not much greater; but it is altogether
more robust and strongly made. It is, when not young, but thinly
covered with short scattered black hair; that on the under lip and
about the corners of the mouth, being longer and somewhat re-
sembling a beard. The wither rises high, but not sufficiently to
form a hump; the tail resembles that of the common ox, but is
much shorter, and the two spurious hoofs are rather larger in propor-
tion. Its horns turn outwards and downwards ; and their points are
recurved upwards. The hide is much thicker than that of the ox,
and is valued by the Colonists and Hottentots, for its great strength,
and for possessing the qualities proper for riems and trektouws. It is
of a fierce and treacherous disposition, which, added to its size and
strength, renders it dangerous to be attacked without caution, or
without the certain means of escape at hand.

The true buffalo having been long domesticated and rendered a
useful beast of draught or of burden, has suggested the possibility of
taming this animal to the same purposes ; and the attempt has several

1812. CAPE BUFFALO. 251

times been made in the Colony, by taking them when very young,
and rearing them under the domestic cow: but, partly from injudi-
cious management perhaps, and partly from its natural ferocity, no
permanent success has hitherto attended these endeavours. Yet,
notwithstanding these failures, it is an attempt which might not be
wholly relinquished, since it is not unreasonable to expect that a
mixed breed between this and the common Cape cow, would pro-
duce a more powerful and _ hardy race of draft cattle, and one which
might possibly be exempt from those diseases to which the oxen
of the Colony are often subject.

The present animal was a male, and apparently not young, as
the points of its horns were much worn, and its ears exceedingly
torn and cut, probably in forcing its way through the thickets, or in
butting or fighting with others of its species. The Hottentots say
they are seldom found with ears quite entire; and my own observ-
ations confirm the remark. The meat was in taste like coarse beef;
but in younger animals it is very palatable and wholesome, and free
from any unpleasant flavour.

It not being possible to lift the animal entire into the waggon,
it was cut into quarters on the spot; and as soon as it was brought
home, every hand was set to work to cut the flesh into flaps and dry
it on the bushes; an affair which occupied all the remainder of that
day, and part of the next. The real value of our ammunition may be
computed from this circumstance, that two charges of powder and
two balls now obtained for us a waggon load of provisions.

I profited by this opportunity and the leisure occasioned by
waiting for the drying, to make a finished drawing of the head, as
expressive of the distinguishing characters of this remarkable species
of buffalo.

The following specimen of the Kéra, or Koraqua, dialect, was
obtained mostly from Muchunka; and is here inserted merely for
the purpose of giving some idea of the structure and nature of
Hottentot languages in general. This dialect, as it has already been
stated, has a greater affinity to that of the Hottentots proper, than
of the Bushmen ; and though requiring a more frequent use of the

KK 2

252 A SPECIMEN OF Jung,

different claps of the tongue than the former, yet it does not employ
them so often as the latter.

The system of orthography, and pronunciation here made use
of, is the same which I have adopted for the Sichuana language, and
will be found more fully explained in another part of this volume.
But it is necessary to state, in this place, that the comma (’) implies
that the following syllable should be preceded by the first clap; the
same mark inverted (‘) requires the second ; and the double inverted
comma, (“) the third.

The jirst, or dental clap is produced by pressing the tongue
against the upper front-teeth and suddenly drawing it away, so as to
give a sound resembling that which some people make as a mode of
expressing vexation. This is the most acute of the three, or that
which gives the highest tone.

The second or palatial is formed by applying the tongue to the
middle of the palate, or roof of the mouth, and by withdrawing it
in the same manner, a clucking noise is produced, of a lower tone
than the first.

The third or guttural is similarly formed by placing the tip of
the tongue against the hinder part of the palate; by which the same
kind of noise as the second, but of a graver or still lower tone,
is produced ; and requiring a greater effort of enunciation. |

In all of these three, which have already been correctly described
by Le Vaillant, the lips do not touch each other; and the sound is
followed so immediately by the syllable, to which it belongs, that
both seem to form but one syllable. The difficulty of pronunci-
ation, for European organs, is least in the first, and greatest in the
third. Yet without these clapping sounds, the words would be un-
intelligible to a Hottentot ear; and cannot therefore be omitted in
speaking any of the dialects of their language.

Some writers, have adopted the mode of indicating all these
claps, which they did not distinguish from each other, by prefixing
the letter ¢ to the word or syllable; as tky. It appears also that some-
times a g or ak has been used to express the third sort; as in the
word gnu. This circumstance is here mentioned for the purpose of

1812. THE KORA LANGUAGE. 253

explaining how it happens that such words are spelt sometimes
without those letters and sometimes with them. But this method is
liable to objections, as it introduces a false orthography, and con-
sequently a false pronunciation.

A SPECIMEN OF THE LANGUAGE OF THE KORA HOTTENTOTS.

One - - - - - - ’Kuii (or ’Quee, as it might be written according to English
pronunciation).

Two - - - - - - ’Kam.

Three - - - - - - “Gziind (or Goonah in English). The mark for ‘short quan-

tity’ (~) implies that the vowel beneath it, is to be pro-
nounced in a short and indistinct manner.

The acute accent (’) is here, as in every other part
of this work, used to indicate the syllable which bears
the accent, or emphasis.

Four - - - - - - Hakaa, or Haké. Double vowels are used merely to ex-
press a more lengthened sound, and are to be considered
as bearing the accent: or the same thing is signified by
the mark for ‘long quantity’ (~) placed over a single

vowel.
Five - - - - - - - Kiri (Kooroo, in Eng.)
Spas = t= = - =) = NEnni.
Seven - - - - - - Hongki (Hongkoo).
Eight - - - - - - ‘Kgsi.
Nine - - - - - - Guési (Gooaysy).
Ten - - - - - - - Dési (Daysy).
Eleven - - - - - - ’Kéi’ka (Kooe’ka). On comparing this with the word for

‘one,’ a difference in spelling and-accenting, will be
observed ; but they are here written exactly as they were
spoken. It appears that the pronunciation and_ place
of the accent, change according to the composition of
the word, or to its place in a sentence: and this pro-
bably, may be done merely for smoothness of sound.

Twelve - - - - - - ’Kam’kwa, (’Kam’qua).

Thirteen - - - - - “Gimd@kwa. ‘The remarks at ‘eleven’ are applicable to this
and to several of the following words.

Fourteen - - - - - Adak’ kwa.

Fifteen - - - - - - Kurwkwa.

Sixteen - - - - - - “Nanni’kwa.

Seventeen - - - - - Honkiwkwa.

Highteen - - - - - ‘Kysi’kwa.

Nineteen - - - - - Gwés’kwa.

Twenty - - - - - - ’Kamdési.

Ves..-j- - -.- - = Aa, ora.

No - - - - - - - Hanhan, or Haan. This has a nasal sound like that of the

T'rench words, dans, tems.

IT - - - - - - - - Tiri(Teery, in Engl.)

254

How se: Saree - age

Elere ai eee
Where?® =) =) = == )-
Sun te Ey esas
Moone === ee

New-moon - - - - -

Full-moon -
Moon decreasing, or in the
last quarter - - - -
Stars - - - - - =
The Pleiades, or Seven-stars
The three stars in the Belt
of Orion - - - - -
Morning-star (Venus) - -
Shadow - - - - -
Clouds - - - - - -

Rain - - - - - - -

Hail - - - - - =
Lightning - - - - -
Thunder - - - - -
Wind - - - - - -

Water - - - - - -
Fire - - - - - - -

Smoke - - - - - -

Mountain - - - - -

Many Mountains
Spring or Fountain - -

* The Greek « here

A SPECIMEN OF 18 June,

Tsaats ('Tsarts).

Heeba, or Heeva (Hayba).

Baba, or Barha.

Sorréip. Here the ei forms a true diphthong; in which the ¢
and the 7 are equally blended, by pronouncing them both
so closely together, that only one sound is produced.

’Kaam.

’"Kdm’kaam. Here the dental clap belonging to the second
syllable, was pronounced so weakly that it seemed almost
to have been omitted. This was often found to be the
case in compound words; and is done, probably with a
view to soften the harshness of two claps in the same
word.

‘Ky kaam.

Ghyd@kaam. The h in this place gives a strong and guttural
aspiration to the G.

*Kammdrika. (’Kammarooka).

‘Koodi, or ‘Kodi (‘Kody).

“Kaankiikwa (“Kaérnkooqua).

’Kwakomrup (Quarcumroop).

‘Kardap, or ‘Karap (Caraap).

’*Kuima (Koomer).

’*Kavitp or ’Kavip (Kaveep).
(Tocce) by some kraals.

“Nankwa (““Naanqua or “Narnquar).

Tabap (Tabarp).

“Gurip (“Goordop).

‘Kudp (‘Cooaérp): in two syllables so closely connected,
that this word might almost be written ‘Kwap.

’Kammd.

’Kdaip, or ’Kdip, in two distinct syllables.

*A’kanna. Here the az formsa diphthong, and bears the
accent.

Sesin (Saysin). Both these syllables were of equal force; so
that the accent was not distinguished.

’Kyse sesin (’Kyser saysin). *

Mi’kamma (M6o’camma).

It is also called Tus or Tuus

introduced, is intended to signify that vocal sound. of e, 2, or x,

before 7, which is found in the words her, bird, curl; which, according to this system,
would be written, he, bed, kel: omitting, as the English generally do, that repercussion of
the tongue which properly belongs to the letter 7, and which, even in our most correct

pronunciation, is not to be distinguished unless found between two vowels.

The Dutch

final e, as in lengte, hoogte, approaches to it nearly ; and the French unaccented e in je, que,

de, has some resemblance to it.

In other places in the text, I have, to avoid the incon-

venience of strange characters, used the é marked with the grave accent (*).
For a further explanation of this system of orthography, the note appended to the
following 28th of June is referred to.

1812. THE KORA LANGUAGE. 255

Ford - - - - - - Khoriim(Coréom). Here the h gives a strong aspiration to
the K.

Where is the ford? - - Barha, (or Baba) Khrimka ?

Sea-water, or Sea - - - Hiuri’kamma (Hooricamma).

Whale - - - - - - ‘Karrab.

Valley, or Watery place - ’Karréep. In this word the p is nearly silent.

Path, or Road - - - - ‘Zarré (*Tarroéw).

Horse - - - - - - Haap (Harp).

Mare - - - - - - Has (Hars).

Goat - - - - - - Bri (Bree).

Ox - - - - - = - ’Komdamp (’Comarmp). This and the following five words

are probably written correctly; although (see Vol. I.
p- 201.) they are not offered with certainty.

Cow - - - - - - - ’Komdas, or’Komds, (’Comass).
Milk - - - - - - Bip (Beep).

Bread, or food of that kind Bariip (Bareep).

Knife - - - - - - § Kwaans or ‘ Kodns (Cowarnce).
Waggon - - - = - ‘ Korokemp.

The preceding list of words was written down, after they had been
several times repeated by the native from whom I had them. The
orthography will, I think, express exactly his pronunciation as it
sounded to my ear; but it ought at the same time to be explained
that some letters are in a few cases, commutable, as for instance,
the v for the 6, though this may be occasioned either by a careless
manner of speaking, or by that species of impediment in the organs
of speech, from which some individuals find a difficulty in uttering
particular letters or combinations, and therefore substitute in their
place, others of more easy enunciation.

18th. As the business of cutting and drying our buffalo-meat,
had detained us till a late hour, we advanced but a few miles, and
halted for the night at the foot of a hill known to the Klaarwater
Hottentots by the name of Blink-klip (Shining Rock); but to the
Bachapins, by that of Sensavan.

It is a very remarkable mass of rock rising out from the eastern
end of a ridge of hills. As we approached it, I easily, even at a
considerable distance, discovered by its brown color and shape, that
it was of a nature different from any which we had hitherto seen. *

e
* The engraving at page 233. is a representation of it, as viewed on the northern
side. ‘The entrance to the mine is in front, at the foot of the rock; but is not visible

256 SENSAVAN, OR THE SHINING-ROCK. 18 JUNE, —

Near it are two or three other similar masses, but much inferior in
size.

The Sensavdn is one of the most celebrated places of the Trans-
gariepine ; being the only spot where the sidé/o* (sibeelo) is found.
Hither all the surrounding nations repair for a supply of that orna-
mental and, in their eyes, valuable substance. It constitutes in some
degree an article of barter with the more distant tribes, and even
among themselves; so that the use of it extends over at least five
degrees of latitude, or among every tribe which I have visited.

This sibt/o is a shining, powdery iron-ore of a steel-grey or
blueish lustre, and soft and greasy to the touch, its particles ad-
hering to the hands or clothes, and staining them of a dark-red or
ferrugineous color. The skin is not easily freed from these glossy
particles, even by repeated washing; and wherever this substance is
used, every thing soon becomes contaminated, and its glittering
nature betrays it on every article which the wearer handles.

The mode of preparing and using it, is simply grinding it
together with grease, and smearing it generally over the body, but
chiefly on the head ; and the hair is often so much loaded and clotted
with an accumulation of it, that the clots exhibit the appearance of
lumps of mineral. A Bachapin whose head is thus covered, con-
siders himself as most admirably adorned, and in full dress ; and in-
deed, to lay aside European prejudices, it is quite as becoming as our
own hair-powder, and is a practice not more unreasonable than ours ;
with which it may in some respects be compared. There is however
a real utility in it, or rather in the grease, for those who do not
wear caps; it protects the head from the powerful, and perhaps dan-
gerous, effects of a burning sun, as it equally does, from those of
wet and cold. Although the color of the stbilo be a brownish red,
yet the micaceous particles give it a blueish tint in those places which
reflect the light more strongly.

J have succeeded in preparing from the sibi/o a very singular

in this point of view. On the side of the hill, and nearer towards the foreground, appear
three small shallow caves, not connected with the Blinkklip, nor of the same nature.
* See the note at page 414. of the first volume.

1812. SIBILO.— THE CAVERN.— MELANCHOLY OCCURRENCE. 257

kind of paint, which may be used either in water-color drawing or in
oil-painting, by grinding it either in gum-water or in oil: and in
finishing my drawings of the natives, I have found it most admirably
suited for giving the exact color together with that peculiar glittering
which it would be impossible to imitate by any other means.

On ascending the hill and approaching the rock, I found a large
open cavern or excavation about twenty feet high, and penetrating
about thirty feet inwards. This, being open to the daylight, afforded
a better situation for examining the mine, than the deeper excava-
tions which can only be seen by the light of a torch or lantern. The
whole rock appeared to be composed of this species of iron-ore,
mingled in some places with a quartzose rock. The ore is mostly
hard and ponderous; but frequently friable and easily falling to
pieces, so that the floor of the cavern was found deeply covered with
the loose powder. To the cieling, a number of small bats were
hanging; and on the projecting crags, a species of dove (Columba
Guinecénsis) takes its nightly roost: thus this cave is never without
inhabitants, either the bats by day, or by night the doves. These are
called batseeba (batsaba) in the Sichuana language; and the bats,
mammatwdan. A narrow and low passage leads from the outer cavern
to an inner chamber, from which this ore is principally dug. The
size of this excavation, supposing it to be wholly the work of art,
proves that this powder has been in use during many generations ;
and indeed its glittering property, its red color, and its soft greasy
quality, seem to render it exactly suitable to the ornamental taste of
all the neighbouring nations.

Muchunka related a melancholy occurrence which took place a
few years before, when several Bachapins lost their lives in this mine,
by the falling-in of part of the roof while they were at work. The
place being open to every one without restriction or regulations, each
person had dug away the quantity he wanted, from that part where it
was found of the best quality ; and no one appears to have reflected
on the necessity, in such excavations especially where the rock is in
parts of a loose nature, of leaving pillars at proper distances to support
the roof. To this ignorance in the art of mining, those poor creatures

VOL. II. Tag

258 THE SIBILO MINE.— THE UNLUCKY WOOD. 18, 19 June,

_ fell a sacrifice, destined to be the means of giving their countrymen
better experience, and a fatal proof of their mistake.

At the distance of a quarter of a mile farther westward along
the top of the same ridge, Muchunka brought me to another mine
excavated in the form of a large open pit of the depth of fifteen or
eighteen feet. Here the mineral was more glittering, and contained
larger particles of the shining scales ; and this, though not obtained
so easily nor in such abundance, was preferred to that which is found
under the greater rock. As I walked along the ridge, I every where saw
traces of the mineral ; and am inclined to think that the whole range
consists chiefly of this substance intermingled with quartzose rock.

At Sensavan I first met with a shrub * remarkable for being
regarded by the Bachapins as bewitched or unlucky, and therefore
unfit to be used as firewood. ‘The reason of its having this character,
I could never learn ; but the fact of their believing it to possess some
malignant power, was, on a subsequent occasion, fully confirmed to
me. It grows only in rocky places, and is from four to nine feet
high with broad oval ijeaves, between which are produced little
clusters of small inconspicuous flowers, succeeded by a large round
fruit not much less than an inch in diameter, but which is not eatable.
The engraving at the end ofthis chapter, represents the foliage,
flowers, and fruit, of their natural size.

This shrub is otherwise remarkable, as possessing a botanical
character or complexion, different from that of the general botany of
these regions, and indicating a certain affinity with that of the island
of Madagascar, which contains the only species of Vangueria hitherto
known; the present plant forming the second of that genus. A
striking example of this may be pointed out, in the very close
resemblance which exists between the Strelitzia augusta or Wilde
Pisang (Wild Plantain) of the Cape Colony, and the Urania speciosa
of that island. Of a similar vegetable affinity with that part of

* Vangueria infausta, B. Catal. Geogr. 2629. Frutex 4—9-pedalis. Folia tomen-
tosa ovato-subrotunda, seepe acuminata, decidua. .

Here also a new and remarkable species of Hermannia, and which was found in no
other part of these travels, was met with, growing between the rocks near the mine.

Hermannia bryoniefolia, B. Catal. Geogr. 2141. Rami elongati debiles. _ Folia
cordato-ovata scabra dentata sepé sinuata. Flores in racemulis paucifloris'axillaribus.

1812. COMPARATIVE BOTANY. — WEATHER. 259

the globe, many examples might be given, if the present were a work
exclusively on that science: even at our next station, other plants
were found of correspondent stamp.

19th. Although we were now in the middle of winter, the
weather during sunshine was generally very pleasant and well suited
for travelling and hunting; but the nights were exceedingly cold,
and not easily to be endured without a fire. The mercury of the
thermometer never rose above 70 of Fahrenheit’s scale (21- of the
Centigrade scale) and was seldom observed even so high. This
morning, just before sunrise, an hour which was always found to be
the coldest in the whole twenty-four, it was found sunk to 29 (—1°6
Centig.); and the backs of the horses, as well as the herbage, were
white with hoar-frost, an appearance not indeed very frequent, but still
not so rare as to be considered by the natives a very remarkable sight.

In the time of the rains, water may be found here in the hollows
of a channel which appeared to be at some seasons, the bed of a small
rivulet ; but at present not a drop was any where to be discovered ;
and as our cattle had not drunk since we left Bloem’s Fountain, we
were compelled to depart from Sensavan early in the morning.

Fes
WW NAN

SA
se
—S

CHAPTER X.

JOURNEY FROM SENSAVAN TO THE KAMHANNI MOUNTAINS.

From Sensavan the country was generally level and open, and
abounding in tall dry grass, of so great a height that the oxen were
half hid as they passed through it; and our party had exactly the
appearance of riding through fields of ripe corn.* |
This days-journey was, notwithstanding the abundance of grass,
the most rocky of any between the Gariep and Litakun, as large spaces
frequently occurred, in which the surface was a natural pavement of
pure rock, in the fissures of which here and there grew a few shrubs.
In some places this rock was of a brown color, and seemed outwardly
as if scoriated ; although it was certainly not volcanic or changed by
the action of fire. It was a primitive limestone, and seemed to be in
many parts coloured by some ferrugineous property; it was of the

* A similar scene is represented in the 26th vignette.

19 June 1812. TRAVELLING OVER A ROCKY SURFACE. 961

same kind as that which has been noticed in the country between
Klaarwater and Spuigslang fountain. In other places this pavement
consisted exclusively of a coarse blueish-black cherty flint: and fre-
quently extensive spaces exhibited a bare level surface of the white
primitive limestone-rock, first observed about the former place.

The waggons suffered the most violent jolts; and we now felt the
great difference between riding over a country strewed with loose
blocks and stones, and one where the surface, though flat, is formed
of a fixed mass of rock. In the first, the stones, however large, give
way a little to the force of the wheels, and the jolts are thereby much
softened, if such an expression may be used ; but the obdurate immove-
able resistance of fixed rocks, and the peculiar violence of the jolting
they cause, are hardly to be conceived without having been actually
experienced. No artificial pavement can produce an effect equally
disagreeable ; for in such there is, speaking comparatively, a certain
degree of elasticity, the effect of which is not imaginary, nor is it
imperceptible to those who have ridden over a natural pavement of
solid unyielding rock.

Although the waggons did not appear to have suffered any
damage by this day’s-journey, yet it is not possible that they could
have escaped without, in some respect, receiving injury ; and I now
could clearly perceive that a good and strong-built vehicle, is one of
the most important of the preparations for such an expedition.
Besides the strength of workmanship, the greatest attention is neces-
sary to be paid to the quality of the materials ; that the wood be well
seasoned and of a sort which will not easily split. Much of the safety
of a waggon depends on the nature of the iron; this should be of the
tough and malleable kind, rather than the hard, which being generally
of the quality termed ‘ short,’ is very liable to break asunder.

At an early hour of the day, we arrived at a spring embosomed
in rocky mountains, and called by the Hottentots, Klip Fontein *
(Rock Fountain).

* In order to distinguish this from the Kizp Fontein of the Cisgariepine, described in
the first volume at page 294., we were obliged to refer to it by the name of Kora, or,
Koraqua Klip Fontein ; having already designated the other by that of Bushman Klip
Fontein.

962 COOKERY. — PRESERVATION OF HEALTH. 19 JuNE,

Juli, who, I now began to perceive, was one of the most quiet
and steady of all my party, showed himself desirous of gaining my
good opinion, by various acts of voluntary service, and a readiness
and attentiveness on every occasion where he thought he could be
useful. He undertook the office of cook, and succeeded extremely
well in boiling the tongue of the buffalo, and in producing something
in the form of a curry. To give him the character of being a good
cook, according to the judgment of Europeans, would be ridiculously
wide of the truth; but among Hofttentots he deserved that of pos-
sessing superior talents.

None but those who accel ‘eat to live’ would undertake
a journey in Africa, with no better cooks than Hottentots. By their
methods, the finest meat is almost always rendered tough and
nupalatable; every kind undergoes but one and the same process,
which is simply that of cutting it into lumps of the size of a fist, and
throwing them into a large iron pot of water, which is usually left
standing on the fire till the men are ready to take their meal: the
consequence of which is, that their meat is almost alway sover-
boiled and exceedingly hard. But this very well suits their taste; and
from a strong dislike to meat too little boiled or roasted, they chuse
rather to go to the opposite extreme. As it was not easy to change
the system and notions of these men, I found it less troublesome to
accommodate my palate to their cookery, than to pretend to teach
them an art of which I knew as little as themselves.

I shall not be classed with those who only ‘live to eat,’ if I
place an experienced cook upon the list of persons necessary on such
an expedition ; as we have discovered by our own sufferings, that the
same kind of food, though even of the best quality, continued from
day to day for too great a length of time, without any variation in the
mode of preparing it, ceases to excite the digestive powers, and no
longer affords due nourishment. Under such circumstances, the
body, instead of gaining strength, becomes daily weaker ; the muscles
relax, and an extraordinary debility gradually ensues. It is not dis-
puted, that a change of food either in species or in mode, is necessary
to health and strength ; and as both these latter are absolutely essential

1812. THE MULOKHA. 263

to a traveller, it is but common prudence to provide the reasonable
means of securing them. ‘This was, I confess, a point of prudence
which, among my preparations, was never once thought of, because
the full enjoyment of health induced me to regard it as very unim-
portant and quite unnecessary.

_ Attended by one of my men, I took a ramble to examine the
mountains on our left, which form as it were an extensive amphitheatre
around the spring. They are composed of rock of a granitic kind,
and in some places of a black rock of a siliceous nature. As it was
considered dangerous to venture far among these mountains, on
account of the Bushmen who might be watching us from behind
the crags, and who were reported to be hostile to all Hottentots,
I confined my stroll within this amphitheatre which was well clothed
with a variety of shrubs and bushes, and to the course of the rill
formed by the spring.

Here, however, I found many new and interesting plants, par-
ticularly a species of Croton * forming a handsome bushy shrub from
four to seven feet high, closely resembling a species peculiar to
Madagascar: and this affinity with the botany of that island, was
farther marked by a species of Melhania + which grew close by it ;
and on the same spot with the Vangueria infausta. ‘This Croton is
called Mulékha by the Bachapins. I was informed that the leaves,
reduced to powder, are used by the Koras as a Buku; and it is in

* Croton gratissimum, B. Catal. Geogr. 2154. Frutex pulcherrimus 4—10-pedalis
ramosus sempervirens. Folia ovato-lanceolata integerrima petiolata alterna, supra viridia
nuda, subtus argenteo-albida. Spicae terminales. Flores suavissimé odorati. Folia
(contusa) odorem aromaticum (Lauri nobilis) spirantia. Calyx patens profundé 5-fidus.
Petala 5 lanceolata patentia, longitudine calycis. Stamina ciciter 15, discreta.

Sir James E. Smith has obligingly compared this with the specimens in his valuable
herbarium, once the property of the immortal Zinneus, and informs me that, although a
distinct species, it is exceedingly like the C. farinosum, with the description of which, as
given in Willd. Sp. PL, it so well agreed, that at the time of discovering it, I had supposed
it might possibly be the same plant.

+ Melhania prostrata, B. Catal. Geogr. 2153. Frutex. Caules elongati, 2—4-pedales,
prostrati ramosi. Folia petiolata linearia, basi ovata, mucronulo terminata. Stipule
subulatee. Flores axillares solitarii, longius pedunculati, flavi. Pedunculus rectus, medio
geniculatus.

264 FRAGRANT PLANTS. —MURDER OF TWO HOTTENTOTS. 19 Junz,

fact of a much more pleasant scent than any other of the Hottentot
Bukues. I detected, by the delightful fragrance which it emitted as
I walked over it, a small frutescent kind of basil* not less aromatic
than the garden species. An exceedingly pretty sort of Celastrus +
with red branches and very small leaves, decorated these rocks and
occupied the same situations here, as at the Asbestos Mountains.

Just where the spring flows out of the rock, I observed some
ochraceous deposition ; but the water was, nevertheless, wholesome
and of a good taste. This fountain affords a constant supply of
water throughout the year, and the mountains in the vicinity are said
therefore to be inhabited by Bushmen.

Seven years before this, two Hottentots in the service of a mis-
sionary named Jan Kok who was himself a Half-Hottentot, were re-
turning home from the Briqua country with their wives and children,
with a waggon loaded with elephants’ tusks, and a large herd of oxen
belonging to the missionary ; when the temptation of so much booty
protected only by two men, induced the Bushmen to attack them ; and
after repeated assaults along the road, one of the Hottentots was
killed just beyond this spring, and the other not far from Doorn
river: while at the same time, one of the daughters was inhumanly
stabbed with a hassagay, and several of the children wounded with
arrows, The murderers succeeded in carrying off the greater part of
the cattle, and were on the point of returning to attack the waggon,
now defended only by women and children, when the most providen-

* Ocymum fruticulosum, B. C. G. 2160. Planta fruticulosa pedalis erecta. Folia
lanceolata nuda semicollapsa. Racemi terminales nudi. Flores verticillati brevé pedun-
culati. Veerticilli 4—6-flori. Herba tota odore gratissimo (Basilici) gaudet.

+ Celastrus saxatilis, B.C.G. 1671. Frutex rigidus spinosus 4-pedalis glaber.
Ramuli juniores castanei coloris. Spinee saepius nude rectee patentes. Folia integerrima,
in ramulis junioribus solitaria ovata, in ramulis anni preecedentis fasciculata elongaté-
obovata. Pedunculi laterales ex fasciculis foliorum, pauciflori. Capsula majuscula coccinea.

At the Kora Rock-Fountain were also found

Olea similis, B. Cheilanthus. Aristida.
Acacia stolonifera, B. Justicia. 2 Sp. Rhus.
Acacia detinens, B. Pharnaceum. Clematis.
Acacia Capensis, B. Andropogon. Celastrus.
Acacia elephantina, B. Tarchonanthus. &e.

Pteris 2? calomelanos. Euclea.

1812. IMPRUDENCE.— SYMPTOMS OF TIMIDITY. 2965

tial and unexpected arrival of a large party of colonists under Land-
drost Van de Graaff, rescued them from the death which awaited
them, and obliged the barbarous robbers to take instantly to flight. *
The two unfortunate Hottentots were certainly to blame for their
imprudence in venturing, with so little probability of being able to
defend themselves, to traverse a country of lawless savages, with a
large quantity of property, by which the wretches were too strongly
tempted to attack them.

This fatal occurrence has contributed to impress the Hottentots
with the idea that the Bushmen inhabiting the country between
Ongeluks fountain and the Kamhanni mountains, are more ferocious
and dangerous than any others; and, consequently, a mutual mis-
trust and enmity now exists between them. While we were at
Klaarwater, it was not omitted to infuse into the minds of my men,
serious fears on this account, and I had the vexation of witnessing
their effects on several occasions.

Under the impression, probably, of this story, Gert, when he
came to my waggon in the evening, seemed, by several indirect ques-
tions which he asked, to be very desirous of ascertaining the course
and extent of my journey, and spoke as it he hoped, and expected,
that I should advance no farther than Litakun. He, and all the
rest of my people, knew that it was my intention to explore the
country beyond; and therefore, as these questions could only be
the result or symptoms of that timidity with which they had been in-
fected at that village, the discovery of such symptoms at so early a
period, and at so great a distance from any real cause for apprehen-
sion, could not but open a source of some uneasiness. I had no
doubt that, being admitted, in compassion to his late misfortune,
to more familiarity than the rest, he was employed to find out the
real plan of my journey, and at the same time to hint to me their
disinclination to venture far into the Interior. On being told that
he must not expect our journey to terminate at that town, he replied

* Dr. Lichtenstein, who happened to be one of the landdrost’s party, gives in his
Travels, an interesting account of this occurrence,

VOL. II. MM

2966 PLAINS OF TALL GRASS.— ALARMING APPEARANCES. 20 June,

“ Then, Sir, we shall, not one of us, ever come back; we are all
murdered men !”

20th. From the Kora Rock-Fountain, we travelled over a level
country varied here and there with hills of moderate elevation. The
soil, which was of a sandy nature and remarkably red, was every
where thickly covered with standing grass about three feet high,
which, being at this season quite dry and having assumed an
autumnal tint, presented exactly the appearance of European
cornfields of boundless extent; and which, from its height and
color, very much resembled that variety which farmers term ‘ red
wheat.’ *

When we had travelled about twelve miles, my Hottentots,
who, like all their tribe, possessed an extraordinary power of sight
in discerning objects at a distance, came to me and with evident
alarm, reported that they saw on before us, six strange men whom
they believed to be Bushmen. The story which I have just re-
lated, or the impressions they had received at Klaarwater, appeared
to have taken fast hold on their minds, so that they were ready to
view every dubious occurrence as the forerunner of danger. I im-
mediately took out my telescope, but although with the naked eye
I myself saw nothing, I was enabled with the glass to distinguish but
little more than they had already discovered without it. ‘Two of
these strange men appeared to carry guns, and as they were running
with great speed, we concluded that they had fallen in with Speelman
and Keyser who had preceded us for the sake of hunting; and that
haying murdered them, and robbed them of their muskets, they
were thus hastening out of our reach. This suspicion, which was
instantly taken for fact by all my men and which I could not myself
think very improbable, seemed to be confirmed by our observing

* The chief grasses were of the genera Andropogon, Aristida, Anthistiria and Poa.

A new species of Czssampelos met with here, is to be found generally in every part of
the Transgariepine ; it is the

Cissampelos calcarifera, Catal. Geogr. 1795. Fruticosa scandens volubilis (saepé
humilior et erecta). Folia lineari-elliptica, pubescentia. Petioli ad bases subtus calcare
brevi aucti. Flores parvi herbacei.

1812. CIRCUMSPECTION, AND PRECAUTION. 267

eight more Bushmen standing at the top of a low hill close on our
right, apparently watching us.

As there was, even under these circumstances, not much danger
in an open country, for a person mounted on horseback, I would
have sent some of my people forward to ascertain whether the two
men with muskets, were natives or not; but every one of them
exhibited so much fear and reluctance for this service, that, to save
my authority and avoid their refusal to obey my orders, I thought it
most advisable not to insist on this step. My own station and duty
in cases of danger, should, I conceived, always be that of protecting
and defending the waggons, in which were contained all our pro-
perty, our ammunition, and our provisions. My two baptized men
betrayed more timidity than several of their companions; and Cor-
nelis to anticipate and prevent my orders, came to assure me that the
backs of all the horses were too much galled to bear the saddle; and
was not ashamed to assert this, though he and Van Roye had
ridden on horseback almost every day.

In the mean time the enemy disappeared ; but I took the pre-
caution of making all the men keep together in a body, and carry their
muskets instead of leaving them tied up in the waggons, which they
had done to spare themselves that fatigue. We now resumed our
march, after having halted half an hour on account of this affair ; and
advanced with watchful circumspection, not knowing how far we might
proceed before the natives poured down from the hills to attack us: at
least these were the sentiments of most of my men, who looked
around them expecting to find the bodies of poor Speedman and
Keyser. This they actually did; for we had scarcely proceed a mile
farther, when they were discovered at some distance on the left of
our road, — but still alive, and, in good health and spirits, making
the best of their way towards us, and having four Bushmen in
company, with whom they appeared to be on perfectly friendly
terms. At the same time the enemy on the hills poured down upon
us, and — with every appearance of peaceable intentions joined our
party. One of them being personally known to Muchunka, and
being able to speak the Kora language, an amicable communication

MM 2

268 A DIFFERENT TRIBE OF BUSHMEN. 20, 21 June,

immediately commenced between us. The two men running off
with guns, who had occasioned among my people so much conster-
nation, were now found to have been, Speelman and Keyser in pur-
suit of a buffalo, and who, having followed the animal between the
hills without being able to overtake it, had turned back by another
way, to meet us. t

The Bushmen, now about ten or twelve in number, remained
with us till the next morning, and were entertained with a few pipes
of tobacco, and as much meat as they could devour. I observed that
the natural color of their skin was much lighter than it had appeared
to me among the other tribes of this nation which I had hitherto
examined. Whether these men kept their persons more free from
dirt, or whether they were really of a less tawny complexion than
the others, can not be positively decided; but their skin was cer-
tainly, not much darker than that of the browner nations of Europe.

In their costume, with respect to that part of their dress which
has been already described * under the name of jackal, they had
adopted the more compact fashion of the Bichuanas; and this de-
parture from the genuine dress of the Hottentot race, was doubtlessly
occasioned by their proximity to, and their intercourse with, those
nations. Their stature also was larger than that of the pure Bush-
men: a circumstance which was attributable probably to a mixture
with the Koras; but certainly not to any consanguinity with the
Bachapins, as this would rather have given them a darker, than a
lighter, skin. The features also of this party, were of a more
agreeable mould. Five of them were merely boys in appearance,
yet all were completely armed ; and, besides two bows at their back,
some carried in their hand a bundle of four or five hassagays.
Several wore a necklace of a new kind, composed of the seeds or
beans of one of their wild plants. +

At five in the afternoon we arrived at a plentiful spring of water,
surrounded by a grove of Acacias; and as Muchunka was unac-

* At page 397. of the first volume.
+ Acacia elephantina, B.

1812. KNEGT’S FOUNTAIN. — BIRDS. — DESERT PLAINS. 969

quainted with any name for it, I have been obliged to distinguish it
on the map by that of Knegt’s Fountain, in compliance with the
name which was given to it by my party in consequence of having
at this spot buried my dog Knegt, which here was taken ill and aida:
This scene is represented by the engraving at page 260.

The Bushmen made their fire at the distance of fifty yards from
ours, where they in their own manner, cooked the meat I gave them ;
and where, after having passed the evening with my Hottentots, they
laid themselves down for the night.

91st. This fountain and the acacia grove were enlivened by
numerous small finches of a new species allied to the Wax-bill or
Astrild. Its general color was a cinereous brown, with every feather
prettily marked at the top with the transverse stripes of black and
white: the forehead, and sides of the head, were of the color of red-
lead.* It seemed to be peculiar to this region and the country
about Litakun, as I never met with it in any other part of the
continent.

Since leaving the Gariep, I had observed but few birds, except-
ing in the neighbourhood of the different fountains; for, as the
smaller kinds require to drink frequently, their nature and wants
render them unfit for inhabiting those extensive arid plains which
intervene between one spring and another. From the Kora Rock-
Fountain to this place, was a distance of thirteen miles, and as no
water was to be found in all that extent, it will not, on consideration,
appear a surprising fact, that none of the smaller birds were seen
during that days-journey. This is intended as a general remark, ap-
plicable in every similar case, to the deserts of Southern Africa.

That our cattle might have sufficient time for grazing, we delayed
yoking them to the waggons till it was nearly two hours aae mid-day.
This consideration for our oxen and horses, was dictated as well by
prudence as by humanity, and appeared to be one of the essential prin-

Loxia maculosa, B. Fusco-cinerea, plumis omnibus ad apices nigro alboqué fasciatis.

\ ee . . iy . . . .
Frons genaeque, miniatz, in mare; in femind concolore. Avis parva gregaria, victitans
ex seminibus.

270 AN ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLE OF TRAVELLING. 21 JuNE,

ciples of this mode of travelling; as the violent and forced speed of
those who would pass through these regions more for thesake of
saying they had seen them, than of collecting correct information and
of understanding what they saw, would strongly prove, by the great
number of cattle they would wear out, that hasty travellers should
never seat themselves behind a team of oxen. This valuable animal,
whose natural pace, as I have before remarked, is quite expeditious
enough for the observer, and admirer, of nature, ill deserves, in return
for his daily labors, to be denied the time necessary for grazing and
rest, and to be forced onwards at the caprice of his driver, till at last,
through want of food and strength he sinks under the yoke and,
without remorse, is left to perish. Nothing but the safety of the
whole party, or the urgency of peculiar and inevitable circumstances,
could ever, during my whole journey, induce me to forget the con-
sideration due to my cattle; always regarded as faithful friends whose
assistance was indispensable, ‘There may be in the world, men who
possess a nature so hard, as to think these sentiments misapplied ;
but I leave them to find, if they can, in the coldness of their own
hearts, a satisfaction equal to that which I have enjoyed in paying a
grateful attention to animals by whose services I have been so much
benefited.

Our course still continued over a level surface, but with many
rocky hills on either hand. The mountains northward of the Gariep
no longer exhibited that tedious, though singular, uniformity of tabular
summits, which I have noticed as being so common in the Cisgarie-
pine. The soil was a reddish sand, almost every where covered with
the tall corn-like grass, before described; through which, a few
ostriches were seen stalking, fully visible notwithstanding its height,
which would easily have concealed the smaller antelopes, or have
favoured the escape, or approach, of an enemy. ”

In one part of this days-journey, for the space of a mile and a
half, the whole plain had in the preceding year, been set on fire, and
every bush, as well as the dry grass, consumed or killed; but this
circumstance gave me a favorable opportunity for discovering the
goodness of the soil, presumable from the rapid growth of the Tar-

1812. THE KOSI FOUNTAIN. 271

chonanthus the prevailing shrub in these plains. Where they had been
burnt down to the ground, they had in one season thrown up a mul-
titude of strong shoots not less than five feet long. In most instances
the old charred stems and branches still remained standing, and,
being perfectly black, presented a shrubbery of extraordinary ap-
pearance. The different sorts of ‘Tarchonanthus are called by the
Bachapins, indiscriminately by the name of Mohaka ; and their shoots ©
and branches are much used for shafts to their hassagays, and for the
outward fences to their houses.

At four we came to a plentiful spring of good water, distin-
guished as the Little K6si Fountain, at which grew an abundance of
tall reeds *, and on one side a thicket of acacias; but as the great
Kosi Fountain was but little more than three miles farther, we halted
only a few minutes to allow the loose cattle to drink.

As we advanced we found no variation in the country or its pro-
ductions, and the same grassy plains brought us just at sunset to the
great Kosi Fountain. Here, to guard against surprise by the Bush-
men, should they really have those hostile intentions which my men
had been taught to believe, I took our station in an open spot, under
the shelter only of some bushes consisting of a species of Asparagus.
But the men, who, notwithstanding their fears, had neither prudence
nor foresight, wished rather to have placed the waggons in the acacia
grove, merely because it was more sheltered and pleasant.

The Kosi Fountain is a constant and plentiful spring rising in an
open valley, through which a small rivulet appears, at certain seasons,
to take its course. This flat, is clothed with grass and rushes, among

* The reeds mentioned in the course of this journal, and from which the Bushmen
make their arrows, are to be understood as a species very closely resembling the common
English reed, or Arundo Phragmitis ; from which, however, it may be botanically distin-
guished by its ligule pilose, or bearded joints. Besides this character, there seems to be
some difference in the color of the leaves and in the substance of the stalk, which, in the
African variety, are yellower, and harder. Having succeeded in raising this plant from
seed since my return to England, and cultivated it several years, though hitherto without
flowering, I have found these differences constant; and the same having been observed
by Mr. Lambert (the author of the magnificent work on the genus Pinus,) in the plants in
his collection, and considered sufficient to distinguish it from the English reed, I venture
to propose it as a new species under the name of Arundo barbata.

972 BEAUTY OF LANDSCAPE. — KOSI. 21 June,

which a few reeds indicate to the traveller the situation of the water.
On the borders of the valley, and in several other places, a con-
siderable number of acacias, forming a little wood or grove, add
greatly to the pleasant appearance of the spot: and behind them, on
the side towards the north, a long ridge of rocky hills, stretches east-
ward and westward.

In the character of the landscape and its peculiar tints, a painter
would find much to admire, though it differed entirely from the
species known by the term ‘ picturesque’. But it was not the less
beautiful: nor less deserving of being studied by the artist: it was
that kind of harmonious beauty which belongs to the extensive plains
of Southern Africa. The pale yellow dry grass gave the prevailing
color, and long streaks of bushes as it seemed, parallel to the horizon
and gradually fading into the distance, sufficiently varied the unifor-
mity of a plain; while clumps of the soft and elegant acacia, pre-

sented a feature which relieved these long streaks by an agreeable

change of tint, and by the most pleasing forms backed by low azure
hills in the farthest distance. Our horses and oxen grazing close at
hand, added a force to the foreground, and, by contrast, improving the
tenderness of the general colouring, completed a landscape, perhaps
altogether inimitable; but which, if put on canvass, would form a
picture of the most fascinating kind, and prove to European painters,
that there exists in this department of the art, a species of beauty
with which, possibly, they may not yet be sufficiently acquainted.
This fountain takes its name from a Bachapin chief who formerly
resided here. The word k6si in the Sichuana language signifies rich;
and is by metonymy therefore used to imply a chief, as riches seem
in all countries, in the early stages of society, to have been the origin
of power and importance, and the principal source from which
individuals have derived permanent authority. Whether the word
was in this case the proper name of the chief or merely an appella-
tive, my interpreter was unable to state; but I have remarked that
with this nation, appellatives are very commonly assumed as proper

names.

Scarcely were the oxen unyoked, when a large mixed herd of |

1812. NIGHTLY WATCH.— DISCOVERY OF THE BRIQUAS. 273

wilde-paards (Wild Horses) elands and hartebeests, from the neigh-
bouring mountains, appeared in sight near the water. They were
instantly pursued and a wilde-paard (Equus montanus), or quakka,
as it was oftener called, was shot. This was a timely and welcome
supply to the Hottentots, as the buffalo-meat was already become
so dry and hard, that it afforded us but tough and unpalatable
food.

So much had been told us by the missionaries and Hotten-
tots, of the peculiarly hostile disposition of the Bushmen who
inhabit the vicinity of the Kosi fountain, that, not despising their
advice, and chusing rather to be over-prudent, than neglectful of
measures of “precaution, I delivered out ammunition to my people,
and ordered them two by two, to keep regular watch throughout the
night ; relieving each other every two hours. With these orders
their fears rendered them very ready to comply, however uncongenial
to the nature of a Hottentot, night-watching might be, under cir-
cumstances of less apprehension.

Gert, who had so long in our absence, an opportunity of hearing
these tales, and who seemed to have deeply imbibed the timidity they
were meant to inspire, related to me a story which he had picked up at
Klaarwater, respecting the fate of the first party of Hottentots who
ventured among the Briquas; and who were the first visitors which
that nation had ever received from the side of the Colony. This
party, consisting of a considerable number of Mixed Hottentots, had
reached the chief town of these Briquas or Bachapins, and were
received apparently with friendship: an ox was on the occasion
killed for them by the chief, and a large party of natives were also
assembled to partake of it. At this time, it was discovered that some
of their pack-oxen were missing; on which, a part of the Hottentots
went to look for them: but in the mean time, as it was said, the
Briquas seeing the party thus divided, fell upon them and murdered
ail but five. Of these five, only three reached home alive, the others
having, on the way, died of their wounds.

This story, he had learnt from the widows of those who were
thus murdered: but the whole appeared so inconsistent with other

VOU. II. NN

274 THE MEETING OF CUPIDO KOK 21,22 Jung,

facts with which I was better acquainted, that I had no hesitation in
classing it as one of the numerous tales contrived for the purpose of
alarming my men; nor was I quite without suspicion of its having
been invented by Gert himself, with a view of inducing me to give
up the idea of penetrating so far into the interior of these countries,
as I had designed.

Had I been earlier aware of this Hottentot’s weakness and
timidity, I should certainly have left him at the missionary settle-
ment, and should have spared myself much vexation and trouble on
his account; but as I did not, at this time, suspect him of a total
deficiency of courage, I continued long afterwards to treat him with
partiality and to rely on his fidelity. He communicated also a secret
of his own, and which probably had no little influence over his con-
duct towards me; after the termination of the journey, he intended
returning to Klaarwater to marry the widow of one of the two Hot-
tentots who unfortunately joined Dr. Cowan’s fatal expedition, and
who had agreed to become his wife; “ for,” said he “ the one I left
at home at Groene Kloof, is a bad one.”

22nd. Karly this morning we were roused by the very unexpected
sound of a waggon approaching, and which soon afterwards halted
and unyoked at a short distance from us. The party proved to be
Cupido Kok with four other Hottentots and six Koras, returning
from Litakun, where he had been to barter for ivory and oxen.
He had in his waggon about twenty Elephant’s tusks, which had
been obtained in exchange at the rate of a sheep for each tusk;
the Bachapins being very desirous of procuring cattle of that
kind, it having hitherto been little known to their nation, or, at
least, seldom reared by them. He was driving home a herd of above
forty oxen which had been purchased with beads and tobacco.

I was exceedingly glad at falling in with this man, as I now
expected to get back my great rifle. But it seemed that all my
dealings with the people of that village, were to produce nothing but
disagreeables and vexation ; for although I obtained my gun again, it
was rendered useless by the want of the bullet-mould, which, he
said, he had left at home at his place at Taaibosch Fountain, as he

1812. AT KOSI FOUNTAIN. O75

had no occasion for it on the journey, having previously cast as much
ball as the quantity of gunpowder he took with him would require.
This quantity, I found, was no more than the pound which I had
then given him, and which was now very nearly expended ; so that
he was, as he confessed to Gert, venturing his journey homewards
with scarcely any ammunition for his defence. He had, indeed,
another gun in his waggon, the bullet-mould of which he offered me
instead of my own; but this could be of no service as it was much
too small. He was therefore told that, as the rifle was the most
important of all our guns, and its use absolutely indispensable for the
prosecution of my journey, I would wait at our present station till he
had returned home and despatched a man on horseback to me with
the mould; that I would not proceed without it, and that as soon as
it was received I would return him his own gun, which I had brought
with me in expectation of meeting him at Litakun; and that it was
entirely through his own neglect, or want of reflection, that he had
not brought it, knowing as he did, that my gun was useless with-
out it. He at first objected to the trouble of sending a horse and
man back so far; but it was represented to him that the distance
was barely fourteen hours at a usual and moderate pace, and might
be performed with ease, and without danger even for one man;
and that it was but just that he should take this trouble, as he alone
had occasioned the necessity for it.

Although he was apparently little pleased with my proposal,
yet as he made no objection to it, I concluded that the matter was
thus settled ; and returned to my waggon.

I sent to him the buffalo-skin, to be given to his nephew Captain
Dam, as payment for an eland-skin which he had supplied for the use
of my waggons: and Speelman and Juli on their own account,
requested him to take home for their wives some dried meat ; but,
not being in a very obliging humour, he gave them an immediate
refusal, though he might have granted their request, without the least
inconvenience to himself.

Apparently with a view of giving vent to his ill-temper, and to be
revenged for my insisting on having the mould, he took advantage of

NN 2

216 CUPIDO KOK. 22 June,

this last opportunity, to relate a number of tales to impress my
men with the belief that I only intended to lead them into danger.
To these, and all similar accounts, they were too ready to listen ;
while their serious countenances visibly betrayed the doubts and
fears with which their minds began to be agitated. This Cupido
asserted many things which he could not himself have believed ;
for, after exaggerating the dangers which, he said, lay before us, heeven
declared that all the black nations were much more afraid of bows
and arrows, than of guns ; and that after advancing, and receiving our
first fire without fear, they would immediately close upon us, and
stab every one, before we could have time to load again. Thinking
that my intention was to visit the Nudkketsi, or, as the Klaarwater
people call them, the Wanketzen*, he attempted to counteract this,
by relating the old story about the murder of Dr. Cowan and _ his
party, and adding to it all the artful fabrications which he had |
picked up from among the natives. He concluded by telling them
that the Nuakketsies, having heard of our coming, had made many
remarks on the folly of sending a mere handful of men against them,
and had openly declared that they would kill every stranger who
should in future venture into their country. In short, he declared
that there was the greatest danger in going amongst those nations; as
they were all at this time, in a state of warfare and fighting one
against the other. Fortunately he remained at the Kosi but three
hours ; and then collecting his party together, he yoked the team to
his waggon, and drove off without further ceremony.

I was just beginning to rejoice that he was fairly gone and out
of sight, when Gert delivered a message from him, that as it would
be too far to send a man back, it was not his intention to do so; that
as I had thought proper to detain his gun as a pledge for the mould,

* This is a corruption of the proper word both by the addition of the Dutch plural
termination en, and by mistaking the true sound. At least, the manner in which I have
written the name, is conformable to the only mode in which I heard it pronounced by the
Bachapins. By not distinguishing the Dutch plural, some writers have set the English
plural also upon its back, and the word Wanketzens has been formed in this manner.

1812. THE KOKUN, A NEW SPECIES OF ANTELOPE. O77

I might keep it; for, as he had now no ammunition for his defence,
he did not think it worth so much trouble to redeem it.

I desired Gert to basten after him and let him know that,
notwithstanding his message, I should wait at our present station
time enough for him to send the mould, which in our circumstances
was of so much importance, that I hoped, and should expect, that he
would return it. After this, he finally departed; and I had then
little doubt that his desire to recover the gun, would induce him to
act as I wished ; although it was evident I had nothing to expect
from any feeling or principle of justice, which might teach him how
much injury he did us, especially in our unprotected situation, by
depriving us of the proper use of our largest gun; the peculiar
advantage of which, depended on being loaded with a ball which fitted
the calibre exactly.

As soon as this party was gone, we began therefore to consider
ourselves as stationed at this place for some days. Several of my
people went out hunting, and a Hartebeest was brought down by
Juli. A new species of antelope which had been shot by Speelman
late on the preceding evening, was fetched home; but during the
night the hyenas, or wolves as they are usually called by the Boors
and Hottentots, had devoured all the flesh ; leaving us only the head
and the hide. It might be classed as a species of Gnu, which, in
general appearance and color, it closely resembled; yet presented
marks of difference which immediately showed it to be very dis-
tinct. This anima] and the hartebeest were nearly of the same
size. It is entirely of a black-brown color; having a bushy tail
like that of the gnu, but quite black, while in the gnu it is white.
It has a long black mane and beard, and two large spurious hoofs.
Its horns, which are neither annulated nor twisted, are curved out-
wards and downwards, and their points recurved upwards; in the
same position as in the Cape buffalo. Its horns, more remark-
ably than in any other antelope, resemble those of oxen in general ;
and in this particular it differs essentially from the gnu, whose horns
are turned forwards, but not outwards: neither is their enlargement

278 THE KOKUN A NEW KIND OF GNU.— GIRAFFE BONES. 22 June,

at the base so remarkable as in that sort. In young animals, the
horns are not decurved, but rise more immediately upwards; yet in
time they take a downward direction. Its manners and general ap-
pearance, are exactly those of the gnu; and it puts itself in the same
attitudes, holding its head down, and lashing its tail as it prances
about. It is also seen sometimes solitary, and sometimes it is met
with in herds. I have distinguished it by name of Antilope taurina.*
The Mixed Hottentots have given it the name of Bastaard Wildebeest,
implying that it is considered as a spurious kind of Gnu: Wildebeest
being the Dutch Colonial name for that antelope. The Bichuanas
call it Kokiin (Kokoon), or rather, with a nasal sound of the n,
Kokiing (Kokoong). Of this animal, five were shot in the course of
our travels.

Two beautiful zebras made their appearance near the spring, and
were fired at. Some of the hunters falling in with the skeleton of a
giraffe, or camelopard, in the plains, were struck with astonishment at
its size, and the great length of the bones of the leg ; and at their return
home, excited the attention of their companions by their wonderful
account of it, for Philip was the only one among them, who had any
knowledge of the animals of this part of Africa. To the eastward of
this fountain, and under the same range of hills, there is a place
named by the Hottentots, Kameel-hoek, (Camel-Corner,) on account
of its being much resorted to, by camelopards.

Not chusing to depend wholly on the Hottentots, for keeping
watch against the Bushmen, I sat up myself till a late hour of the

* Antilope taurina, B. Tota nigro-fusca; Cornua lzevia extrorsum decurvata, versus
medium recurvata. Juba longa, barbaque, nigree. Cauda equina nigra. Species Antilopi
Gnu proximé ordinanda, cui habitu moribusque simillima.

+ Of these, two were preserved and brought to England; one of which has been pre-
sented to the British Museum.

As in both these species of Gnu, the food passes in the same form as in sheep, deer, and
in all the rest of the Antelope genus, one is surprised at finding it asserted of the first
Gnu, in a late French work, that “ ses excrémens ressemblent a ceux de la vache:” and
also, that its horns take a direction “ d’abord en bas, et en dehors.” Dictionnaire des
Sciences Naturelles, par plusieurs professeurs, &c. tome 2. p. 248.

1812. FIRE-SIDE CONVERSATIONS AT MIDNIGHT. 279

night to discover if my sentinels did their duty; and employed
myself in the meantime, in affixing labels to the botanical specimens
hitherto collected, and in registering them in my Catalogue.

At about.an hour after midnight, when it was Juli’s and Keyser’s
turn to be on guard, I left my waggon, and took my seat by the fire,
as the air was then exceedingly cold. The rest of the people lay
fast asleep, some on the ground by the fire, some close under the
asparagus-bush, and others either beneath, or within, the baggage-
waggon. ‘Those who lay round the fire, always took off their shoes and
uncovered their feet, which they placed as near as possible to the
embers; a reasonable mode of keeping their bodies generally warm, as
the feet, when sleeping in the open air in cold weather, become chilled
much sooner than any other part of the body. It seemed almost incre-
dible that Muchunka could sleep at all; exposed, nearly naked, to the
freezing inclemency of the night, and having no other covering or
clothing, than a short leathern kaross scarcely the length of his body.
It was, however, a proof that the human frame may, by custom,
become inured to every inconvenience ; as it may by the same means,
be pampered till at length it can bear none. The dogs were all
quietly dozing, and the oxen lying at their ease ; circumstances which
gave us a confidence that neither wild beasts, nor wild men, were
lurking near us. Juli and his companion being both Graaffreynet
people, were amusing themselves by talking over the affairs of that
part of the colony.

I joined their party without interrupting their conversation, and
was much surprised, as well as pleased, at finding that Judi had lent
so little ear to the alarming tales we had heard, or had given so little
credit to those who told them, that he viewed the spot at which we were
now stationed, as a place so far from being dangerous to live in, that
he seriously communicated to mea plan which the pleasant appearance
of the country had induced him to form, of returning to Kosi Foun-
tain after the termination of our journey, and of bringing all his cattle,
which he reckoned at nearly forty in sheep and oxen, and fixing his
residence here, in preference to living any longer among the Boors.

As I viewed the poor fellow’s plan merely as one of those foolish

980 JUL’S GARDEN. — NATURALIZED CELERY. 22—24 Junz,

thoughtless schemes which the unreflecting Hottentot often takes
into his head, and of which the execution is generally prevented by
some other whim equally ill-advised or unpromising, I did not think
it necessary, to check the pleasure he seemed to derive from the
fancied advantages and riches which he calculated on gaining by that
step. I even allowed myself to be amused by listening to his
proposed measures: he had already fixed on a spot for his garden;
it was in the valley near the clump of acacias beyond the water.

23rd. On the following morning I went with him to inspect it ;
and it was certainly an excellent and pleasant situation, and very
judiciously chosen. As I had brought with me the seeds of various
sorts of useful plants, for the purpose of dissemination in the
countries of the Interior, this appeared a proper opportunity for
commencing it. I gave him therefore, some of peach, quince, almond,
and several kinds of esculent vegetables, which he sowed in a suitable
soil; and as the moist ground about the spring appeared a natural
place for the celery-plant (Apiuwm graveolens) I scattered a considerable
quantity of it there. On our return to this fountain six months
afterwards *, a few of Juli’s seeds were found to have vegetated, and
the celery seemed already to have naturalized itself, as it was then in
flower and seed; but of so diminutive a size, that it might have
been mistaken for another species, had I not recollected that it had
been sown there by myself.

- _—____——+

* At that time I collected at Kosi Fountain, a variety of new plants, among which the
following is remarkable as being the first of that Natural Order which has been found in
Southern Africa.

Triaspis hypericoides, B. Catal. Geogr. 2531. | Frutex 3—4-pedalis pulcher erectus
ramosus. Rami fusci glabri oppositi patentes. Folia ovato-linearia glabra pedunculata
glauca integerrima opposita (rarO subalterna). Pedicelli axillares solitarii 3—6-flori.
Flores pedunculati inodori rosei. Calyx 5-phyllus, sepalis lanceolatis erectis. Petala
5 unguiculata, patentia ovata concava, ad margines laciniato-fimbriata. Styli tres. Stig-
mata obsoleta. Stamina 10 basi discreta. Pollinis particula globosa. Fructus immaturus
conspersus pilis medio affixis. Samaree tres ala maxima peltata rotundata aucte. Genus
ex ordine Malpighiacearum, et maximé affine Hiree ; cum qua conjungendum, nisi hzec et
Tetrapteris separatze fuissent a Triopteridibus. Nomen a Teeis tres et dons clypeus: ob
samaras tres scutiformes. — Vide iconem magnitudine naturali, huic capitulo subjunctam,

1812. CURE FOR NATIONAL CORRUPTION. 281

Here his scheme ended; as I never from that time, during our
whole journey, heard him mention it again. He probably soon after-
wards became convinced of the danger he would incur by residing
alone and unprotected in the midst of a tribe of Bushmen of suspi-
cious character, who, there is little doubt, would not long have with-
stood the temptation of his cattle, seeing that their owner might be
so easily overpowered, and that he was beyond the reach of all
assistance.

Those who view a fine country in which, at the same time, an
honest and well-disposed man cannot live in safety, will have learnt
by experience how to set a proper value on the blessings of laws and
a good government: and an Englishman who is dissatisfied with his
own country, needs only to witness a lawless state of society and the
mis-rule of many other nations, to make him turn with affection to
his own, and forgive those errors to which all humanity and the
wisest of men, are liable; and to deplore corruption, as an evil for
which there is no permanent or radical cure, but universal honesty.

The groves about this place were much frequented by the birds
called Guinea-fowls or pintadoes. ‘Two of these were shot ; and were
boiled into soup, which, with the addition of some parsley and celery
seed, formed an excellent mess. [or this purpose, these birds are
much superior to any four-footed game.

Our buffalo-meat was become so dry, and even the flesh of the
hartebeest, though antelopes in general are dignified by the inhabit-
ants of the Cape, with the name of venison, was so lean, that my
Hottentots asked permission to kill a sheep. This they did, not
through want of provisions, but merely for the sake of fat, to render
the other more palatable.

In the evening, from a very favourable Buseteations I computed
the latitude of Kosi Fountain to be 27°. 52’. 16”. *

24th. On rising this morning, I found all the men absent,

* On the 23rd of June 1812, at Kosi Fountain, the observed meridional altitude of
Arcturus was 41°. 59!. 00".

VOL. II. 0O

282 SEARCH FOR SPEELMAN AND PLATJE: 24, 25 June,

excepting four; and was informed that the sheep had been, through
the carelessness of Andries whose turn it was to attend them, allowed
to stray away ; and that the rest were gone in different directions in
search of them.

However; he and Stuurman, soon returned, recollecting that
the oxen had, in this confusion, been left in the plain without any
person to watch them. Soon after this, the dread of being seen by
the Bushmen, drove Van Roye and Cornelis home, though they were
both mounted and armed, and could have little danger to fear; as
that nation are themselves, as I have before remarked, greatly afraid
of horsemen: from whom they have, if inferior in numbers, no chance
of escaping on the plains; nor, if superior, any possibility of pur-
suing them. It was therefore pure timidity and cowardice which
compelled these two men to return so soon and before they had
discovered any traces of the sheep. On such occasions it was more
especially the appointed duty of the horsemen to go on search of lost
cattle. They excused their return, by pretending that Speelman and
Platje had undertaken to follow the track. This was a mere
pretence; though it was true that Speelman and Platje were the only
two who continued the search: and who, indeed, caused me much
anxiety by remaining absent during the night.

25th. As they did not make their appearance on the next
morning, I ordered Philip and Van Roye to ride out in the direction
in which they were last seen, and make some signal to guide them,
in case they might have lost their way. On arriving at a distant part
of the plain, they fell in with a camelopard, at which they fired,
but without effect. They soon afterwards came upon a Kanna (Eland)
which Philip immediately shot. It fortunately happened that the
reports of their muskets were heard by Speelman, though still at a
great distance ; and, these plains being, as already described, covered
with tall dry grass, he directly set fire to it; and soon the country
for a great extent, was put in a blaze, and clouds of smoke ascended
high into the air. Knowing that we could not but be uneasy at his
absence, he understood the sound of the guns as a signal made to
him ; and adopted this most effectual mode of answering it, and of

1812. THEIR SIGNAL MISTAKEN: THEIR SAFE RETURN. 283

more readily pointing out his situation. As soon as Philip and his
companion had, by riding forward, ascertained that the two Hot-
tentots and sheep were safe and returning home, they made the
best of their way to the waggons to give us speedy intelligence that
all was well.

In the mean time, we had observed the smoke; and various
were the debates among us, respecting the occasion of it: but all
concluded that it bore a suspicious appearance, and was to be in-
terpreted as a signal of some misfortune, or of their having been
found murdered by the Bushmen; and when, in about an hour
afterwards, we saw the two horsemen galloping at full speed towards
us, we were filled with the most melancholy forbodings of the sad
tidings which, we supposed, they were bringing to us.

Our rejoicing therefore was the greater, when we were told
that the lost men, and the sheep were all safe and on their way
homewards.

When Speelman and Platje arrived, they were received with
general congratulation ; and provisions, of which they stood much
in need, were immediately set before them. Their account was;
that, having fallen in with the track of the sheep, they followed it
in expectation of soon overtaking them; and with this hope were
led on the whole day, till the darkness of evening prevented their
discerning the footmarks any longer. They then lay down to sleep,
and passed the night in the open plain, without fire or food. On
their way they had seen two springs of water, one of which ap-
peared capable of affording a copious supply at all seasons. At day
break the next morning they continued to follow the track, surprised
at being led by it so far; and at length came up with the flock, at
some distance beyond our last station at Knegt’s Fountain. That
they were not discovered and carried off by the Bushmen, or devoured
in the night by beasts of prey, was a circumstance to be attributed
only to singular good fortune.

These two men had seen nothing of the natives during the whole
time ; and as none, excepting the few already mentioned, came near
us, on our journey from Klaarwater to the northern limits of their

00 2

284 BUSHMEN.—TRANQUILITY RESTORED. 25, 26 JUNE,

country, this fact might be taken as a proof, either of their hostile
disposition towards strangers, or of their fears of retaliation for past
robberies, or of the scarcity of inhabitants in this part of the country.
Which last supposition is the least probable of the three; for a land
which, it would seem by Speelman’s discovery yesterday, is in general
not deficient in water considered as 4 Bushman country, is not likely
to be totally unoccupied by their tribes: besides which, we had,
during our stay at this station, every night observed their fires at a
distance, in several directions around us. I have before made the
remark, that, according as the Bushmen view strangers either as
friends or as foes; or suppose themselves to be viewed as one or
other of these, so their country will appear, either well inhabited, or
perfectly deserted.

We had, however, sufficient reason for concluding that at this
time they were not watching our motions; otherwise they might
easily have made a prize of the sheep. But I could not avoid
noticing on this, and on many other, occasions since leaving Graaff-
reynet, how little prudence belongs to the Hottentot character ; and
how inconsistent with their fears of the Bushmen and other native
tribes, is their want of precaution and vigilance. How often have
they through heedlessness and neglect of order and discipline, ex-
posed themselves unnecessarily to the risk of being cut off by the
savages, had these been so inclined, or really so ferocious and ill-
disposed, as their own fears, or the tales of others, taught them to
believe.

Having recovered the sheep and our two companions, whom we
were just beginning to deplore as lost, and never to be seen more, all
our affairs became smooth again, and every one seemed happy and
freed from care; even the dread of the savage Bushmen of the
Kosi, and the fear of being taken too far into the Interior, appeared
to have left them, like an intermittent fever: and there now ensued.
an interval of tranquillity which lasted for some time.

As soon as Philip returned, the baggage waggon was unloaded
without delay, and sent for the kanna which he had shot: this
was brought home by eight o’clock the same evening. It being

1812. JACKALS AND DOGS. — CARTRIDGE-BOXES. 285

a young and fat animal, the meat was excellent; and even Hot-
tentot cookery could not spoil it.

Every night, the jackals, attracted perhaps by the smell of so
much meat, approached us, and for two or three hours after dark
continued at intervals to bark around us, at the distance, as it seemed,
of about two hundred yards. Our dogs never failed to give them
an answer each time; but took no trouble to go after them, or to
drive these impertinent visitors away. The sound of their barking
was peculiar, and might not inaptly be compared to that of laugh-
ing. It would not have been easy to shoot one, as they are real
cowards, slinking away the moment they perceive any person coming
towards them ; and, being a nocturnal animal, they can see too well
in the dark ever to be surprised or approached by man, who not
being at such a time able to take aim, could have little chance of
killing one, excepting by mere accident. Thus, to avoid wasting our
ammunition and taking much useless trouble, we found ourselves
obliged to leave their noisy intrusion unpunished ; as they could do
us no harm, or, at least, as they would not dare to advance nearer to
so numerous a pack of dogs. These seemed to be of the same
opinion as their master, and appeared to consider the jackal as a
troublesome fellow, beneath their notice, and, among quadrupeds,
what some men are, among bipeds.

26th. Cartridge-boxes being, according to our new regulation, a
necessary article of our equipment, I undertook to instruct my men
in the method of making them out of dry hide; and to render my
instruction more intelligible, I assisted in making one as a pattern.
But their stupidity and laziness, or perhaps unwillingness, rendered
it a business of very slow progress; and it was, at last, evident that
unless I would make them all myself, they would never be finished ;
nor, in fact, could I ever get the requisite number made, but was
obliged to remain contented that three of the Hottentots carried
them, hoping that the rest would in time be convinced of their
utility more especially in saving them trouble. But the same
obstinate adherence to old customs, which made them averse to the
use of cartridges, counteracted equally my wish to introduce the car-

286 FALSE PRIDE AMONG HOTTENTOTS. 26 Junx,

tridge-box among them: I was at length obliged to give up the
point ; and in a month or two, all the people reverted to their kogel-
tas or bullet-pouch.

‘Even Van Roye and Cornelis were as stupid, and as unwilling to
adopt improvement, as the rest: and the expectations which I had
been induced to form of the great usefulness of the former, on
account of his having seen Europe and been exhibited as a select
example of an improved Hottentot, were already completely disap-
pointed. None were more lazy than these two; and they seemed
to consider themselves as hired only to ride along with me for the
gratification of their own curiosity to see the country. They had done,
literally, no work since the day when they first entered my service ;
yet, on account of their being Christemensch, they rated themselves so
high, that they actually regarded it as degrading, to do the same work
as a Hottentot. They carried this ignorant mischievous pride so far,
as to deny all knowledge of the Hottentot language; which, with
respect to Van Roye, I knew certainly to be an untruth, and always
believed the other to be better acquainted with it than he pretended.
It was disgusting, though ridiculous, to hear these two woolly-headed
men, call their companions, Hottentots, as an appellation of inferiority
good enough for Heathens, and proper for making these sensible of
the superiority of Christians. This unbecoming spirit was frequently
the cause of broils and discords; and their tempers and conduct, so
very different from what I had expected, were the source of continual
vexation to me, and the germ from which many of my difficulties
and disappointments sprang; an example of laziness and insubordi-
nation which in time infected the others, and required the utmost
vigilance and resolution, to check it.

As the men had been living on animal food for nearly three
weeks, I gave to each a ration of vinegar as a corrective of the sup-
posed unwholesome effects of such diet when unmixed with vege-
table juices. This, they were all glad to receive; not indeed, in the
light in which it was given ; but, because its stimulating quality gave
it some similitude to wine or brandy. Muchunka, who perhaps.
had never tasted any before, and appeared ignorant of its nature,

1812. VINEGAR. — THE GORAH. — THE FIDDLE. 287

was just at the moment stopped from drinking it all off at once as
he had seen the others drink their sopje (sopy) or dram. His com-
panions were much amused at the simplicity of his mistake, and in
the evening when seated round the fire, they made it the subject
of their jokes.

Stuurman and Andries were also performers on the gordh; but
their powers on this singular instrument were much inferior to those
of the old Bushman whose portrait is given in the first volume. In
their hands, it produced but little effect, as I could discover no tune
in its notes, although its tone was powerful and musical. To my
ear, their music sounded unmeaning and monotonous; yet they
themselves were very well satisfied and amused, with their own per-
formance. It is perhaps one of the most fortunate circumstances
attending the practice of music, and at the same time a very natural
effect, that the performer who pretends to nothing above his own
amusement, should in general be pleased with his attempts, though
even below mediocrity. Were it otherwise, the soothing pleasure of
harmonious sounds and the enjoyments of melody, would be the most
partial gratification which Providence has bestowed on man.

Speelman’s fiddle now lent its powerful aid every evening in
enlivening their fireside ; and, as Philip was become a musician and
Gert had gained the use of his hand by the help of a bandage
sufficiently to hold the bow, this ingenious instrument seldom lay un-
employed. By occasional praise, I encouraged them in this mode of
spending their evenings, conceiving it to be the most harmless in
which they could indulge, and one which was of considerable service
in promoting a cheerful good-humoured temper among the party :
nor was it altogether unimportant to my own views, as it kept their
minds from silently brooding over imaginary or anticipated dangers ;
and in some degree rendered them fitter for the expedition.

They even considered it a relaxation of strict discipline and a
favor, that I permitted such an instrument to be used: this I dis-
eovered by Juli’s seriously asking me, whether it was really sinful to
dance, or to play on the fiddle; for, said he, the missionaries tell us

288 ABSURD DOCTRINE RESPECTING DANCING. 26, 27 June,

that such things are an abomination to God, and that a fiddle is
Satan’s own instrument !

I should not readily have believed that any person of sane mind
could have held such opinions, or have thus deliberately misled the
poor ignorant Hottentot, if I had not myself heard from the pulpit
at Klaarwater, a similar denunciation of the vengeance of the Deity,
upon all who delighted in dancing, which was pronounced to be a
work of darkness! If such fanaticism and folly is to be called
preaching the Gospel, I much fear that the savages will have reason
for thinking, in compassion to our ignorance, that it will be their duty
to send missionaries among us, to lead us out of our darkness.

I preached, however, the contrary doctrine, that music and danc-
ing possessed, in themselves, nothing of a sinful nature; and that,
so far from wishing to see the people serious or hear them groaning,
it was always much more pleasing to me, when they spent their
evenings in this manner and in harmless mirth and .conversation,
than when they lay in dull inanimate idleness; a state which I be- |
lieved to be, both disgraceful to themselves, and displeasing to their
Creator. Happy indeed, would it have been for the whole party, had
they always followed this doctrine, and had they conducted them-
selves under a conviction of the truth of my last assertion.

27th. I had now waited six days at this place, in expectation
that Cupido Kok would send the bullet-mould and fetch his gun;
but more than sufficient time having already elapsed, my men, who
seemed to know more of his intentions than I did, were clearly of
opinion that we should hear nothing further from him, and that it
would be fruitless to remain here longer. Seeing myself thus, for
the whole of my journey, deprived of the proper use of my best
gun, by an ungrateful Hottentot whom I had formerly shown myself
desirous of obliging, and whom I had treated in a manner which
proved my good-will towards him, I could not but feel irritated, in
whatever light I viewed his conduct. But, as no remedy was now
to be had, I resolved to consider this privation as one of the in-
evitable accidents of my journey.

1812. DEPARTURE FROM KOSI FOUNTAIN. 289

I therefore gave orders for our departure; and at an hour and
a half after mid-day we drove away from Kosi Fountain. Juli, who
complained much of toothache, was obliged for a day or two, to re-
sign to Platje his office of driver of the baggage-waggon.

This waggon was now loaded with as much meat as it could
carry; and so large a stock ought, with proper care and management,
to have lasted almost as many weeks, as in fact it did, days. But a
Hottentot, or a Bushman, must have either gluttony, or famine ; either
waste, or want. In time of plenty, moderation and economy seem
to them, greater evils than absolute hunger.

After clearing the low rocky ground, which may Be considered
as a flattened part of the Kost Hills, we continued travelling the re-
mainder of the day, over a sandy country covered with grass. When
we had advanced about six miles, I halted to take the bearings of
Kosi Fountain, and of the Kamhanni Pass; the country being so
open and level as to admit of both being seen at the same time.

As the distance from Kosi Fountain to the next water, was a jour-
ney of two days, or, at least, of thirty-seven miles, we had taken the pre-
caution of filling the water-casks, and of allowing the cattle and dogs to
drink at the spring just before we set out. Our only care, therefore,
was occasioned by the want of fuel; and as these plains produce few
bushes, Stuurman and Andries were sent forward on horseback, and
followed on foot by Muchunka, to collect a quantity of firewood ready
to be taken up by the waggons as they passed. But so great was the
scarcity of dry wood in this part of the plain, that we travelled till
dark without coming up with the men. At that time, perceiving a
tolerably large clump of Tarchondnthus, (C. G. 2173.) and fearing that
we might not fall in with so good a shelter if we proceeded farther,
we judged it more prudent to halt here for the night. This is distin-
guished on the map, by the name of Tarchondnthus Station.

The Hottentots not returning by the time the oxen were all
unyoked, we fired two muskets to call them back; and immedi-
ately madea blaze with a heap of dry grass. We collected from the
Tarchonanthus bushes, here eight feet high, wood enough for cooking
and for keeping a fire burning all night. This the three absent
people perceived, and finding we were not coming on, at length turned

VOL. Il. PP

290 A FAREWELL TO THE BUSHMEN. 27, 28 Junx, 1812.

back: but it was ten o’clock before they reached home, as they had,
at the time we fired, advanced too far to hear the report.

As the men had not yet forgotten the trouble occasioned by the
cattle straying away, these were carefully made fast to the waggons
and bushes, and a kraal for the sheep, was formed with green boughs.

28th. In order to bring our cattle sooner to the water, we
resumed the journey early in the morning, directing our course
northward across the plain, to a range of mountains which forms
the boundary between Bichuania, if I may use the word, and
the country inhabited by the Bushmen. We were now to take our
leave of those hordes of wild men, as they are justly called, and to
quit their dubious tribes: — men who are moved by various motives
either to hostility or to friendship ; to the former, often by feelings of
revenge or retaliation, and too often by a spirit of plunder ; to the latter,
often won by trifling acts of kindness, and by treatment founded on a
due and reasonable view of their untutored state and of the comfortless
existence of a nation without a head, without laws, without arts, and
without religion. ‘Towards such men, vengeance and punishment,
however justly merited, should be mitigated by pity and forbearance,
such as we are taught by the mild and genuine spirit of Christianity.

‘ : WXs S

CHAPTER XI.

JOURNEY IN. THE COUNTRY OF THE BACHAPINS, FROM THE KAMHANNI
MOUNTAINS TO THE RIVER MAKKWARIN.

Srx miles from Tarchonanthus Station, brought us to the entrance
of the pass through the Kamhanni Mountains. These I have taken
for the line of separation between the two races of the Hotten-
tots and Caffres; as it is, in fact, the middle of that neutral,
or rather, common, ground which intervenes between one African
nation and another, and is partially inhabited by both. The range
appeared at this part of it, to stretch from the south-east to the
north-west ; and to be formed by a great number of low grassy
mountains, a sight rarely seen in the Hottentot portion of the
Transgariepine. This range, a little farther onward, takes a northerly
direction, and rises into more lofty and rocky mountains: among them,
one which I have distinguished by the name of Kamhdnni Peak, ap-
peared the highest and most remarkable.
PP 2

292 ENTRANCE INTO BICHUANIA. 28 JUNE,

This pass might be described as a winding defile between the
mountains, and which had no perceptible ascent nor descent. The
breadth of the Kamhanni range may easily be imagined, from the
circumstance that, the passage of it occupied three hours and a half
at our usual rate of travelling.

On clearing the mountains, we entered upon a grassy plain per-
fectly level, extending before us as far as the eye could discern, and
presenting, on the north-east and east, a boundless expanse of country.
On our left, the mountains continued, as it were, to accompany us
at the distance of a few miles.

This I could not but feel to be an interesting point of my
travels: I had now entered their territory, and was about to behold a
totally different and superior race of men, a nation among whom I
was to find some traces of industry and art, and who, by living in
fixed abodes and in large communities and by following agriculture,
had advanced the first steps in civilization. These considerations
excited reflections of the most pleasing kind, the power of which
chased from my mind every vexatious sentiment, and banished every
thought of those troubles and difficulties which naturally attend
a traveller venturing into these countries under circumstances such
as mine. Having set my foot in a new region, I prepared for ex-
amining with attention all its features, and for enjoying the feast of
novelty and instruction, which lay spread before me in every quarter.

Here, the new and interesting forms of some scattered trees of
Camel-thorn, or Mokaala, gave a most picturesque and remarkable
character to the landscape; more especially as no other large tree of
any kind, nor scarcely a bush, was any where to be seen.

Muchunka was also in high spirits, on entering his native
country, and communicated to the less lively Hottentots, some por-
tion of his own vivacity, by extolling its pastures, its water, and
its abundance of game; and by giving an animated description of
the town to which we were advancing, and of the friendly dispo-
sition of his countrymen. It was evident that the circumstance
of having quitted the district in which they had been so much in
dread of the Bushmen, contributed not a little to quiet the minds of
my men, and to restore ease and cheerfulness to our party ; although

1812. COMMENCEMENT OF A SICHUANA VOCABULARY. 293

it was probable that they would not have been without an equal
degree of apprehension, on account of the unknown tribe to which
we were about to commit ourselves, had not Muchunka’s assurances,
and the familiar manner in which he spoke of this nation, persuaded
them that no hostility was to be feared.

After a day’s-journey of nearly seven hours, we arrived at
a spring of water, which the natives distinguish as the Little
Khbbolikhonni Fountain: that which is properly called Klbbdltkhénni,
the source of the Krimdn river, being situated at a distance of two
miles farther eastward. At this time the spring was in its lowest
state, as its waters were too weak to run more than two hundred
yards from the spot where they rose out of the ground. In the rainy
season they form, by the aid of showers, a rivulet which joins itself
to the Kriman.

I had already, by the assistance of Muchunka, gained a sufficient -
insight into the /anguage spoken by the various Bichuana tribes or
nations, to enable me to establish a system of orthography capable
of expressing with certainty, its proper sounds and pronunciation ;
and had, in a desultory manner and without any systematic arrange-
ment, composed a small vocabulary. But as I advanced nearer to
the country where it was spoken, and became assured that it pre-
vailed over a great portion of the Interior, I conceived a stronger
interest in it, and felt both the necessity and the desire, of acquiring
a more correct and extended knowledge.

With this view, I now resolved to commence a more regular
investigation, and to form, on the plan of a dictionary, a more com-
prehensive collection of raw materials, in words and phrases ; and
which might be considered as comprising the whole body of the
language, and serve as a source from which, by future examination
and study, might be drawn a knowledge of its nature and _peculiari-
ties, and of its grammatical construction. I still, however, continued
adding to my vocabulary such words and phrases as my daily inter-
course with the natives enabled me to learn, and to confirm myself
in the right understanding of their meaning. This was used as a
repository for that only which was learnt in a more practical manner.

*

294 MODE OF REDUCING AN ORAL LANGUAGE, 28 JuNE,

I therefore in the evening commenced the work, intending to
dedicate to it, till completed, every hour of leisure which my other
labors and occupations might occasionally permit. As all the party
were now in good spirits, and our affairs seemed to proceed more
smoothly than they had for a long time, this was the proper season
for such an employment; and, having first put my interpreter in
good humour by a present of a new handkerchief, I took him to
my waggon, to begin his task. 'To prevent his misapprehending the
meaning of my questions, I kept one of my Hottentots sitting by us,
to explain in his way any question which I might happen to put, as
a European is very liable to do, in terms above the capacity and
judgment of an uncivilized and untaught person.

The method which was then pursued, may still be the best by
which a traveller may reduce an oral language to a written form, and
acquire in the shortest possible time, a tolerably complete knowledge
of it; or at least, may fix it on paper in a state in which it may
afterwards be more fully and critically examined. I had before me a
printed dictionary (in this case it was in Dutch, because in that lan-
guage all my questions were put), from which were selected, in their
order, all those words which admitted of interpretation in the dialect
of a people ignorant of science or nice moral or: metaphysical dis-
tinctions; or, in other terms, such words only were taken, the mean-
ing of which could be made intelligible to their simple minds. My
question was begun by endeavouring to obtain a native word exactly
equivalent to that which was in the book; but. if it was perceived
that my interpreter found any difficulty in understanding it, a short
phrase was proposed, in which the meaning of that word was in-
volved; and his translation was then written down exactly as it was
pronounced ; taking care at the same time, to divide the syllables by
placing points beneath the word, and to note the accent and short
vowels. * This, however, was not done without much trouble and
many explanations; but he was desired to repeat it so often that one
could not easily be mistaken in the words or their sounds. By these

* See page 253. at the word $ three.’

1812. TO A WRITTEN FORM. 995

means, on several occasions, a variableness was discovered in his
pronunciation, which my imperfect knowledge of the idiom, has not
yet enabled me to account for.

Those, whose minds have been expanded by a European
education, cannot readily conceive the stupidity, as they would call
it, of savages, in every thing beyond the most simple ideas and the
most uncompounded notions, either in moral or in physical know-
ledge. But the fact is; their life embraces so few incidents, their
occupations, their thoughts, and their cares, are confined to so few
objects, that their ideas must necessarily be equally few, and equally
confined. I have sometimes been obliged to allow Muchunka to
leave off the task, when he had scarcely given me a dozen words ;
as it was evident that exertion of mind, or continued employment of
the faculty of thinking, soon wore out his powers of reflection, and
rendered him really incapable of paying any longer: attention to the
subject. On such occasions, he would betray by his listlessness and the
vacancy of his countenance, that abstract questions of the plainest
kind, soon exhausted all mental strength, and reduced him to the
state of a child whose reason was yet dormant. He would then
complain that his head began to ache; and as it was useless to persist
invita Minerva, he always received immediately his dismissal for that
day.

When at a subsequent period, another native was employed in
this business, I discovered in him nearly the same inability to sustain
mental exertion; and saw, therefore, the absurdity of seeking in
their language for that which was not to be found in their ideas, —
a mode of expressing those abstract qualities and virtues, and those
higher operations of the intellectual power, which, perhaps, belong
only to civilized society and to cultivated minds.

The Bachapins call this language the Sichudéna; and as the in-
convenience which would attend an increase of the bulk of this
volume beyond its present size, compels me to omit the Dictionary
or Vocabulary, together with various remarks on the language, and
a fuller exposition of its structure, I have judged it not superfluous

296 ORTHOGRAPHY AND PRONUNCIATION OF 28, 29, JuNE,

nor useless in this place, to notice, in the note below*, some of
the essential particulars; and which are more especially necessary

* The vowels may be considered as having the sound which most of the European
nations, excepting the English, give to them. Gee may serve as a general precept; but
their more exact pronunciation is reserved for a future opportunity.

The a, without here making nice distinctions, may be sounded as the a, in father or
farther : but d with the circumflex accent above it, is intended to represent that broad
vocal sound which is heard in the words all, awl, nor, nought, caught.

The e in most cases resembles the short ¢ in ¢el/ ; but when separate or bearing the
accent it is like the a in adle: and ee or é like the long a in save. It is sometimes used
with the grave accent (¢) instead of «, [See the note at page 254.] to avoid the incon-
venience of foreign characters in the text.

The z is the same as the e in delay; and the zz or 7 as ee in deep.

The o is sounded as in motive. It has very rarely the English sound which is heard
in cottage, solid; but in this case it is marked with the grave accent (0). The ao or 6,
is to be pronounced the same as the long o in done ; but not as the oo in boot. In the
same manner all the other double vowels are to be pronounced as the single vowel much
lengthened in sound: they always bear the accent, and generally one of them is omitted
when the ‘ acute accent’ is placed over the other; as 1 'aakun or Litdkun. The ow is
most frequently used in the text instead of the Greek character e, and sounds as in the
words owl, now. d

The zw in Sichudna, is sounded as the oo in Zool, or the win rule: it is the same as the
German or the Italian uv. It may generally be substituted for the w.. I have used the uz
with the grave accent (*) to signify that vocal sound which is heard in the words sun, one,
undone, begun, and which is, I believe, almost peculiar to the English tongue.

The y is always a vowel, and is sounded as in my or as the igns 2 in mine.

Two vowels coming together are to be taken as diphthongs; unless separated by a
dizeresis ("). ;

The ch must be pronounced as in chin ; and as the Spanish ch: it is the same as the
Italian c before e or 7. ae

The 7 is the same as the y in yes ; and in general an z might be substituted for it.

When m, or-n, begins a word, and is followed by a consonant, it forms a syllable by
itself, and is to be pronounced in aclose and peculiar.manner, as though it were preceded
by avery faint vowel rather more resembling an w than an e or an z.

The ng, when coming together, are nae to be separated in pronunciation ; they fen
a true and aval fo consonant, which I have in writing expressed by a character composed
partly of the and partly of the g; but this could not be imitated in printing, without
casting a type for the purpose.

The ph is merely a p followed by a strong aspiration, but is never as an f or as we
commonly pronounce the Greek ¢. In the same manner, the 7h is not the Saxon %, nor
our Greek 4, but simply an aspirated ¢.

The ¢s is to be considered as forming an indivisible consonant ; and also the ¢z, which
is merely a modification of the same, and by some natives is used in its place.

For further explanations, the observations at the words ‘three,’ ‘ four,’ ‘ sun,’
‘ moon decreasing,’ and ‘ford,’ at page 253. may be consulted ; as also may, the remarks
on the Sichudna language, to be found in the last chapter of this volume.

1812. THE SICHUANA LANGUAGE. 297

to be attended to, by those who would read correctly the Sichuana
names and words which occur in the course of this narrative.

The English reader, unacquainted with foreign pronunciation,
may complain that by not adopting the orthography of his own lan-
guage, the difficulty of reading the names in this journal, is much
increased; but he might with equal propriety object to the use of
French or German orthography in a book of travels through France
or Germany. As an apology for the method here followed, it may
briefly be stated, — that the vocal sounds of the two languages are
essentially different ; that English orthography, being, in its present
state, referrible to no general principle, is so inconsistent as to modern
pronunciation, that in some words it designates the same sound by
several different letters, and in others, employs the same letters for
several very different sounds: and, that the adoption of a system
expressly adapted to the genius of the Sichuana and following simple
and rigid rules, is in reality attended with much léss inconvenience,
and with much more certainty, than the use of a system, if it can
be called one, so multifarious in letters and uncertain in sound, as
that of our own language. I have, nevertheless, for more general
convenience, added in parentheses, wherever ‘it was necessary, the
same word spelt according to English orthography.

29th. The various duties of preserving what kad been collected,
of arranging the notes and recording the observations of the day,
had employed me in the waggon the whole of the night, and this,
added to a considerable fatigue occasioned by a long day’s-journey,
kept me so much later than usual, before I awoke the next morning,
that my people began to fear that I was either dead or very unwell.
At length Speelman’s uneasiness increasing, he resolved to ascertain
whether I was alive or not, and knocked against the side of the
waggon, when he told me that, instead of morning, it was afternoon,
and that the sun had already sunk more than two hours. I was not
less surprised than my men ; and could only attribute this extraordi-
nary long and sound sleep, to an effort of nature, to repair that
exhausted state into which a too great attention to the numerous
affairs of the journey had insensibly brought me. The oxen were

VOL. II. QQ

298 ASCERTAINING THE COURSE AND DISTANCE. 29 Junz;

put to the waggons without delay, and all were soon ready to
depart. 3

The magnetic needle was here so much affected by the particles
of iron contained in the rocks at this station, that it was not to be
depended on. It was my usual practice at every station, to take the
bearings of as many of our former stations as were either in sight,
or of which the situation could be indicated with tolerable exact-
ness ; and at the same time, those of any other remarkable objects,
and of our next station forward whenever it was known and could
be indicated with precision, were noted down. By these means,
the bearings, being taken both backwards and forwards, gave a
double check to any inaccuracy which might arise from errors of
the needle, or from mistaking the position of stations not actually
in sight.

In order that this very necessary part of a traveller’s duty
might not, in the confusion of a multitude of heterogeneous occupa-
tions, be forgotten, these operations were almost always deferred till
the moment when the oxen were brought forward to be put in the
yoke; so that I thus became habitually reminded of what was to be
done, and my men were by the same means prepared for pointing
out the bearing of these stations and places which were too dis-
tant to be visible. On such occasions I generally consulted them,
and placed more or less confidence in their opinions, as these proved
either unanimous or at variance.

Fearing that we should not reach our next station before dark,
we hastened the oxen forward at their best pace, and advanced at the
rate of eighteen revolutions * in a minute; which was equal to 3 miles,
1 furlong, and 170 yards, in an hour. As our road was over deep
sands, this rate might be considered as very expeditious, for a waggon
on narrow wheels, heavily laden and drawn by oxen. In some places,
a black mottled flinty rock, showed itself through the surface of the
ground.

* The mode in which this was ascertained, has been already explained at page 289.
of the preceding volume. :

1812. WINTER.— THE RIVER KRUMAN. 299

_ Although the sun shone pleasantly the whole day, the air
was cold, and the thermometer not higher than 56. (13°3 Centig. ;
or 10°6 Reaum.) It was now the middle of winter, or, more properly
speaking, cold season: for the word, winter, seems to an English ear,
to imply a severity of cold, and to raise ideas not consistent altogether
with the weather of these latitudes. Occasionally, however, a degree
of cold is felt, which the contrast of intervening warm days, renders
almost as chilling as the wintry weather of our own latitudes.
During the month of June, as may be seen by the ‘ Register,’ the
thermometer sunk several times below the freezing point; on one
day the ground was whitened with snow; and hoar-frost at sunrise,
was not unfrequent. The middle of the day was generally pleasant
and moderately warm: but the mercury never rose higher than 71 ;
(17-3. R.; 21°6 C.) and for the greater part of the four-and-twenty
hours, was below the temperate point.

At a little after sunset, we came to the Krimdn, a beautiful
little river running in a plentiful stream of the clearest water. At
this part of its course it was fifteen feet broad and abounded in tall
reeds. A sight so delightful for African travellers, had not been seen
since we left the Gariep. This river, small as it was, as far surpassed
all the others in the intermediate country, if rivers they could be called,
as the Gariep surpassed this. It is formed by the Alibbolikhénni, the
most copious spring which I have seen in Southern Africa. Unlike
other rivers, the Kruman is largest at its source, and rises from the earth
a full and broad stream, which, by the combined powers of evaporation
by the sun and of absorption by the sandy soil, is gradually lessened as
it flows on; till at last after acourse of a few days-journeys, it is lost
in the sands, and entirely disappears. It is said, that in the wet
season, it is joined by the Moshea (Moshowa); and that, in those
years when an unusual quantity of rain has fallen, the united streams
find their way to the Gariep.

We continued for an hour, travelling westerly along the banks
of the Kruman, till, it becoming too dark to venture farther, we were
obliged to halt and unyoke for the night, at a spot distinguished on

aa 2

300 MUCHUNKA’S ORATIONS 29, 30 June,

the map, by the words Kruman Station, close to the Kamhanni
mountains.*

Although we had advanced many miles into the country, we
had not yet met a single Bichuana. In the evening, while sitting at
my usual employments in the waggon, my attention was frequently
attracted by Muchunka, whose extraordinary manner this evening,
appeared for a long time unintelligible. He was sitting with the rest
of the men around the fire, and conversing with them either in the
Dutch, or in the Hottentot, language ; when suddenly he started up,
and without leaving his place, held a dong oration in Sichuana, in a
tone of voice astonishingly vociferous. This he did repeatedly in the
course of the evening: yet none of the natives were seen, nor did
any come near us that night. But the object of these theatrical
movements, was to let them know, that we were friends ; and, should
any one, seeing the waggons and observing men in European dress,
approach us with hostile intentions, to give them notice, by the sound
of their own language, that some of their countrymen were with our
party: or should they, on the contrary, be intimidated by our appear-
ance, these speeches were to have the effect of encouraging them to
come forward.

30th. We remained a day at this place, for the purpose of
hunting; as it was necessary to recruit our stock of provisions before
we proceeded farther. Six Hottentots were thus employed, and not
without success, as they brought home two species of antelope which
I had not before met with, and of which I found no account in any
of the zoological books I had with me. Their skins were therefore a
greater prize than the meat.

One is called Paala (Parla) by the Bichuanas, and is known
by the name of Roodebok (Redbuck) to those of the Mixed Hot-
tentots who have travelled into this country; for, although very

* The word Kamhdnni may possibly be a corruption of Kriémani. I have once
heard these mountains called by the name of Nchd Jamhdan ; which latter word may pro-
bably have been a careless mode of speaking Kamhdanni.

1812. DESCRIPTION OF THE PAALA. 301

numerous in most parts of the country of the Bachapins, it is rarely
to be seen southward of the Kamhanni Mountains. It much resem-
bles the springbuck in form and general color. It is, however, con-
siderably larger, and has not those remarkable long white hairs on
the back, which have been described * as peculiar to that antelope ;
but it takes occasionally the same leaps; and in this particular,
as well as in general habits, it may be considered as a proximate
species. Its color, as the Dutch name implies, is every where, on the
upper parts of the body, of a uniform yellowish red, but darker than
that of the springbuck. The sides are of a paler tint; and the under
parts are white. The tips of the ears, are black; and the face is of a
browner color than the body. The tail is short and white, and along
the upper part a short black line run on to the rump. A similar
black line or stripe passes down the hinder part of the haunch.
These lines are not found on the springbuck, which on the contrary
is marked along its sides with a broad dark stripe which is wanting in
the paala. At the back of the hind legs just above the foot, is a
remarkable black tuft of short hair, which has suggested its technical
name.t With respect to its horns, this species differs essentially
from the springbuck ; not only in having them of a different form,
more than twice as long and spreading much wider apart, but in the
want of them in the females. This last character, though at variance
with the only systematic description which has hitherto been given,
is certainly correct, as we shot, during these travels, not less than
twenty paalas of both sexes, and saw several hundred others. It is a
handsome and elegantly-made animal; but in beauty of color, yields
to the springbuck. Its flesh is well-tasted and wholesome: but, like
that of nearly all other antelopes, is very deficient in fat. This is one
of the more rare species. Of the kokoon, described in the preceding
chapter, and of the following animal, the skins obtained on this

* At page 290. of the first volume.

+ Antilope melampus, Licht.: Of this animal, and of the Springbuck, I have pre-
sented skins to the British Museum, where their differential characters and affinity, as
above indicated, may be confirmed.

302 DESCRIPTION OF THE PEELI.— TWO HERDSMEN. 30 June,

journey, were probably the first, now in England, which had ever
been brought out of the country.

The other antelope shot at this place, is called by the Bichuanas,
Peeli (Paly) or, with astrong aspiration, Pheli. It is found in various
parts of the Cape Colony, where it is known to the Boors and Hot-
tentots, by the name of Vaal Reebok (Fallow Roebuck). It is entirely
of a brown-cinereous or grizzled color, like that of our wild rabbits :
the under part of the body is lighter. The legs, ears, and head, are
of the same color as the body. ‘The tail is short and bushy, and
thickly covered with long white hair. The horns are slender, erect,
and nearly straight and parallel; and are slightly annulated at the
lower part. But the character best distinguishing it from every
species of antelope which has fallen under my observation, is the
soft curly or woolly nature of the hair, which, being unlike that of
every other kind, has suggested the specific name here adopted. *
The engraving at the end of this chapter represents the skull of the
Peeli, and the horns in front and in profile.

Besides these two animals, the hunters shot a zebra at a consi-
derable distance in the plain; and, happening to fall in with two
Bichuanas, (or, as the Hottentots usuaily called them, Caffres,) they
engaged them to remain by the carcass to save it from being devoured
by the vultures or beasts of prey, until the waggon could be sent to
fetch it home. These two natives were very willing to lend us their
assistance, prompted, no doubt, by the expectation of receiving a
share of the meat as a reward for their trouble ; for nothing could be
more wretched and pitiable than their meagre starving appearance.
They were men of the middle age, and of tall stature; that is, above
five feet and a half high, which, to us who had been so long

* Antilope villosa, B. Cornua recta gracilia teretia parallelo-erecta, basibus annulatis
(foeminze ecornes). Vellus lanatum molle fusco-cinereum. Cauda brevis densé villosa,
pilis elongatis albis.

The name of lanigera having been already applied to another species, I am pre-
cluded, by its similarity, from the use of that of anata.

In the British Museum I have deposited a skin of this animal, the horns of which are
nearly eight inches and three quarters long: but they are rarely found of this length, being
most frequently of five or six only.

1812. ON THE WORDS, BICHUANA AND BACHAPIN. 303

accustomed to the diminutive figure of Bushmen, appeared at this
time remarkably tall.

Having been used to regard a well-greased skin as a proof of
being well-fed, we viewed their dry bodies as a certain indication
of poverty and want; which their disinclination to talk, and the
depression of their countenances, sufficiently confirmed. They in-
formed us, that they were Bachapins* and had been herdsmen to
the late chief Mulihaban ; that at present their only means of support
was hunting, or digging up wild roots: and in this employment, it
was unnecessary for them to say, that they had not lately been very
successful. They informed us that it is the law of the country, that
whenever men of their class kill any game, within a reasonable
distance of the town, the best piece, particularly the breast, must
be sent to the chief. The engraving at page 291. will give an idea
of the general appearance of a poor Bachapin herdsman.

These two men stopped with us as long as we remained at this
station; and were of some use in assisting us to cut the meat in
pieces for drying. I ordered the Hottentots not only to feed them

* It may not be useless here to explain, that the word Bichudna is used when speak-
ing generally of those tribes of the Caffre race, who speak a language which they call
Sichudna, and inhabit the countries comprised in the northernmost part of the map ; and
that by the word Bachapin (Bachapeen) or the Hottentot word Briqua (Breequa, signi-
fying Goat-men) is intended that particular tribe only, which is governed by Mattivi,
and the chief town of which, is Litdé/un.

Bichuaina (Beechuarna) is the plural form of the word Muchudna (Moochuarna) ; but
as it has not been thought necessary in the journal to preserve this distinction, the first
has been adopted for both cases. The root of the word seems to be, chudna ; which,
however, cannot correctly be used, as it is never spoken without the adjunct.

It is the singular property of the Sichudna language, to apply as prefixes, those par-
ticles which, in similar cases in other languages, are employed as terminations. Thus, as
an example, in the names of the Bichuana nations, the syllable Ba, with which most of
them begin, corresponds with the gua which terminates many Hottentot names: both of
them answering to the English word man, as compounded in German, Norman. This re-
mark is exemplified in the names Bachapin, Bamakwin, Batdmmaka, (sometimes called
Tammaka) &c.; and in Némaqua (sometimes, but less correctly, pronounced Namaqua)
Briqua, Mokdrraqua, Démmdrdqua (which Hottentots substitute for Dammara), Auteniqua
Génaqua (often called Gondqua, er Gonah), &c. By attending to this, it will be easy to
distinguish many Hottentot and Sichuana names on the map, and to discover their nature.

304 DECEIT AND FALSEHOOD. 30 June,

well during the time they were with us, but to give them a large
portion to take home. ;

They informed me that Makrakki, the chief of the Mdtbues *, a
division of the Barolong tribe, had fled, together with Mékkaba chief
of the Nudkketsies, farther into the Interior ; having heard that a body
of white men were coming to take revenge on them for the alleged
murder of the last English party which had visited their country.

Thus, at my first entrance into their territory, I began to
experience some part of that deceit and disregard for truth, which,
although pervading more or less every African tribe, seem scarcely
to be considered by the Bichuanas as a vice or as a disgraceful
practice ; and which, in these countries, so deeply contaminate every
class of society, that I afterwards proved by too many trials, that no
man’s word, not even the Chief’s, could be relied on in any case where
the least advantage was to be gained by falsehood.

This report which now reached me, perhaps not accidentally,
had not the least foundation in truth; and therefore the mention of
it might have been omitted, if the regularity and consistency of the
journal did not require it to be noticed, in order to account for various
proceedings, and for the colouring given to them. By adhering
strictly to the daily record of the impressions and opinions of the
moment, a more correct picture is given of our actual situation; and
the nature of a journey in the interior of Africa, is more faithfully
displayed. From this adherence to the original journal, some con-
tradictory facts and sentiments will occasionally be met with; but the
former are to be attributed to the difficulties which beset a traveller
whenever he is reduced to the necessity of getting his information
from the mouths of others ; and the latter, to that change of sentiment
and opinion which was induced either by a change of circumstances

* The es at the end of this and similar names, which in the singular end with a vowel,
is not to be considered as belonging to the original word, but, as that plural termination
which, in strictness, the English language requires; although I have not ventured in every
case to follow this rule, wishing rather to leave those words as much as possible in their
Sichuana form.

1812. FORMER VISITS TO THE BACHAPIN COUNTRY. 305

or by an opportunity of viewing the subject on another side. As they
are the sentiments which belong to that date only; there are conse-
quently some subjects, of which a just view cannot be obtained from
detached portions of the journal. By recording these sentiments in
their place, the reader is enabled ultimately to gain more correct
ideas, and to form his judgment upon natural and unpicked evidence. —

From an observation of the sun’s meridional altitude, the latitude
of this station was calculated to be 27° 22’ 25". *

At the distance of about two miles lower down the river, is the
spot where stood the chief town of the Bachapins, at the time when it
was. visited by Landdrost Van de Graaff and Dr. Lichtenstein, in
1805 + ; who were sent by the Dutch government for the purpose of
ascertaining the true state of the settlement at Klaarwater. This
business being accomplished, they advanced as far as the Kruman,
and after remaining there four days, returned to the Colony. —
In the year 1801 the same tribe was visited by Dr. Somerville and
Mr. Truter, who, with a large party, were sent thither by the English
governor for the purpose of obtaining oxen for the supply of Cape
Town.{ Having, during a stay of fifteen days, obtained the object of
their mission, they returned to Cape Town. This party found the chief
town of the Bachapins not far from the spot where it stood at the time
I visited this tribe: it then bore the same name of Litaakun.

These facts serve to prove that the nation has not yet arrived
at that degree of civilization which is marked by permanently fixed
abodes ; but that it approaches it very nearly. This permanency of
abode depends, as remarked on another occasion, on a two-fold cause ;
on the solidity and perfection of their architecture, and on their pro-

* At Kruman Station, 30th June 1812. The observed meridional altitude of the
sun’s upper limb, was 39°. 42’. 40”.

+ This party consisted of 25 persons. Of these; 12 were Hottentots; 5, slaves; and
8, white persons, among whom was the unfortunate Jacob Kruger (Krieger). They were
25 days beyond the boundary of the Colony.

+ This party consisted of 40 persons. Of these; 12 were white men, among which
number were, Mr. Samuel Daniell the artist, and Mr. Borcherds the present Deputy
Fiscal at Cape Town. The others were, 24 Hottentots and 4 slaves. They were about
five months beyond the Colonial boundary.

VOL. II. RR

306 THE GREAT PLAINS OF LITAKUN. 1 Jury,

eress in agriculture ; neither of which, it will be seen, has yet quite
reached the requisite degree of improvement. Until this shall be the
case, none but the ruder arts can be cultivated ; and to this it follows
as a corollary, that the introduction of a taste for better arts, would
soon bring them to that desirable point.

The country about our station once abounded in large mokaala
trees (camel-thorns), till the Bachapins removed their town to the
Kruman ; when they were cut down, for the purposes of building, and
to clear the land for cornfields : at this time but few were standing.

By the present state of vegetation, it appeared that the flower-
season was either past or not yet come.* Most of the shrubs were
without leaves, and those which still remained on some of the deci-
duous plants, were rendered so brittle by the long continuance of dry
weather, that they could not be handled without breaking in pieces,

July 1st. At noon we resumed the’ journey, and after crossing
the Kruman which was about fifteen feet wide and a foot in depth,
continued for the remainder of the day travelling over a boundless
plain, generally sandy and covered with dry grass from three to four
feet high. These plains, with here and there a little variation of
scenery and diversity of surface, extend as far as Litakun; and,
possessing in some respects a pleasing character of their own, it was
found convenient during my journey, to distinguish this portion of
the country as the Great Plains of Litakun. They in general abound,
to use this word with reference to Africa, in springs of excellent
water, the situation of which is always indicated to the traveller by
little groves of acacias; though these trees are seen scattered in con-
siderable number at some distance in their vicinity, or occupy those
hollow places which receive water only in the rainy season.

Between their present capital, and the site of their former town on
the Kruman, the natives have had so much communication, that, by
constantly passing to and fro, they have formed what may be called a
Bachapin highroad. This consists of a number of footpaths wide

* A small procumbent species of Evolvulus was here met with; and is the first proof
of the existence of that genus on the African continent.

112. BACHAPIN HIGHROAD. — RIVER MAKKWARIN. 307

enough only for a single person, and running either parallel to each
other, or crossing very obliquely. I counted from twelve to about
eighteen or twenty of these paths, within the breadth of a few yards.
They are nothing more than what may be supposed to be the beaten
track of several men walking in company, each picking his own way
wherever the ground may be most free from obstructions.

In a part of this plain, where grew many large bushes of
tarchonanthus from six to ten feet high, we passed a fountain of clear
water, in which stood a few reeds. ‘This fountain or spring, though
not copious enough to produce a stream, formed a small pond which
had the appearance of being constantly supplied with water. A little
farther, a number of small olive-trees, of the height only of eight feet,
were observed ; these had exactly the foliage of the European olive.

After a pleasant day’s journey of nearly twenty miles, we arrived
in the evening at the river Makkwdrin (or Makklwérin), where we
intended to remain several days, to put the waggons and all our
baggage in order, and to make various preparations and finish all
necessary work, previously to our arrival at the town of Litakun.

I would here take the opportunity of making some remarks on
the name of this town. It may be written in various forms according as
the Dutch, German, or English, orthography is followed. The first
would give Litdakoen ; the second, Litdkun ; the third, Letérkoon ; the
French, Litdkoun; and the Italian, the same as the German. Con-
formably to the system of orthography cursorily explained at page 296.
Ihave spelt it Litakun or Litaakun. The Bachapins (Bachapéens)
are never heard to place the accent on any other syllable than that
which is here marked, although the forms under which it has already
appeared before the public, would seem to indicate a very different
pronunciation. It is sometimes, though very seldom, heard spoken
as Takun, by dropping the first syllable, without changing the accent ;
but this is probably a careless mode of speaking. The word Téakoon,
is almost as frequently made use of by the natives as Litékun; and
here the accent is shifted to the last syllable, which becomes length-
ened, and is pronounced, as in English, Tékéne; in Dutch, Takéon ;
or in French, Takaine. To account for this variation, it must be

RR 2

308 REMARKS ON THE NAME OF LITAKUN, 1 Juxy,

explained, (according to the information of my interpreter,) that this
town takes its name from the stone cattle-pounds, which, in the sin-
gular number, are called Takoon, and in the plural Litdkun; the
syllable i being the prefix used for marking that number, in nouns
inanimate, in the same manner as ma is generally employed for
nouns animate.

It is much to be regretted that an orthography, given at random
and established without rule, should often be the means of introducing
a false pronunciation. When such names have gained currency,
which they the more readily do, as few persons in Europe can detect
their inaccuracy, it becomes difficult afterwards to interrupt bad
habits, and substitute a more correct orthography and pronunciation.
These remarks, which I make with reluctance, are applicable to
too many names which have already appeared in print; and as it
would seem invidious here to point them out, I leave them to be
discovered by a comparison with the map or the journal; at the same
time, without its being pretended that either of these are infallible. It
is freely admitted that such names cannot be obtained correctly without
much trouble and repeated questions, nor without great attention,
as the natives themselves sometimes substitute one letter for another,
and even remove the accent from one syllable to another; but
there is reason for believing that these are, for the most part, not
arbitrary variations, and that they depend, either on euphony, or on
the grammatical peculiarities of the language. It is conceived to be
an indispensable part of a traveller’s duty, when making known the
names and words of an oral language, to mark at least the accented
syllable, for the use of those who can have no other means of becoming
acquainted with it. This could be attended with no trouble, but
would, on the other hand, be of the greatest utility. It is, however,
too often neglected.

Having since had occasion to observe that every person who
has visited that country, writes the names of this language in a
manner peculiar to himself, (among whom Lichtenstem appears to’
be the most correct,) and some in a self-contradictory. manner, I
cannot but with diffidence venture to adopt a mode which in so many

1812. AND ON SICHUANA ORTHOGRAPHY. 309

instances differs from all others. With respect to so remarkable a
discrepancy, it must be concluded, either, that the natives are very
careless and uncertain in their pronunciation, or, that the organs of
hearing perform their duty very differently in different persons. Yet
as that mode of spelling which is most at variance with the one
here used, is that of a writer who, I regret that the case compels me
to say, misunderstands even the commonest Dutch names and words,
and spells them with extraordinary incorrectness, it may reasonably be
supposed that his Sichuanawords are still more incorrect. I have, how-
ever, followed the only and best guide which can be found for an oral
language, and thus have written all the words exactly as they sounded
to my ear, and according to a strict system of orthography. I may
be allowed therefore to assert that this orthography is the true repre-
sentation of what I heard; since I had never till then seen five-and-
twenty words of it on paper, and am not aware that any considerable
vocabulary of the Sichuana language has ever been formed before
that which has been attempted by myself.

6

Inches 1 1-2

CHAPTER XII.

OCCURRENCES AND OBSERVATIONS AT THE RIVER MAKKWARIN.

Jury 2nd. Our first business this morning, was to station the wag-
gons in the most convenient spot ; to make a shelter round our fire ;
and to construct a hut with mats, bushes, and dry grass.

At the place where we halted, the Makkwarin was merely a ditch
about twenty feet broad, without a tree, or even reeds, to mark its
course ; although acacias are here and there scattered on the adjoining
plain. There was abundance of water in the deeper hollows of its
bed; and at two or three hundred yards below our station, it ran in
a plentiful stream. The singularity of a river being dry in some parts,
running in others, and in others merely a stagnant pool, has been
already explained, when describing the Reed River in the Roggeveld.

The banks of the Makkwarin are in some places ten feet deep, and
by this circumstance it was ascertained that the substratum of this part
of the country, is a compact lime-stone rock of primitive formation.
The depth to which this rock descends, or the nature of the next

2 Juty, 1812. GEOLOGY OF THE TRANSGARIEPINE. 31]

stratum below it, I had no opportunity of discovering; but am
inclined to suppose it to be of great thickness. It lies every where
in a horizontal position ; and in no place rises into hills, or above the
general level of the country. I could not observe in its structure, the
slightest appearance of stratification, nor have I ever seen, in any
part of the Interior, the smallest trace of organic remains. It pro-
bably forms the foundation of the whole land of the Transgariepine ;
as far at least as the line of my travels extended ; and may be consi-
dered as the great floor, upon which apparently all the mountains are
placed ; and upon which a superstratum of sand forms those immense
plains which occur almost every where throughout these regions. The
depth of this sand appeared very unequal ; in some parts it is scarcely
a foot: in many places the denuded rock itself forms the surface.
It would seem that the abundance of springs depends on the
proximity of this rock to the surface, or, in other words, on the less
quantity of sand which covers it: for in those parts of the country
where I have observed it near the surface, springs have more generally
been met with; and in those where it is not visible, and where
immeasurable plains of deep sand extend for many leagues, there the
land is totally deficient in water. The fact explains itself: the water
which falls from the clouds quickly sinks through the sand; and
wherever springs flow out of the soil, or permanent ponds are found,
it is evident that there must lie beneath them a stratum of compact
rock, which prevents their being absorbed by the earth. This I
believe, from many observations, to be the case in the Great Plains
of Litakun ; and the numerous springs or ponds of clear water which
are there met with seem to confirm this hypothesis.

On this great floor of /ime-stone rest, probably, the mountains of
clay-slate, or of sand-stone. Green-stone, and sometimes serpentine
or pot-stone, and granite, are found ;_ though rarely, and in small pro-
portions, The bed on which these repose could not be ascertained ;
but it seems not unlikely that it is the same primitive lime-rock,
unless we adopt the supposition hereafter noticed on the 13th. The
remarks in my journal are here anticipated, in order to give, pre-
viously to entering these regions, some idea of their nature.

312 IMPORTANCE OF GEOLOGY. 2 Juny,

The geological character of the Transgariepine, as far as my
observations enable me to give an opinion, appears very simple. It
is that which has been termed primitive. But its most remarkable
feature, is the undisturbed, and generally unbroken state of its great
strata: these lie in, what may be supposed, their original position, and
present rarely any evidence of those violent convulsions of nature
which, beyond all doubt, have once, at some immeasurably remote
period of time, shaken the whole fabric of the globe.

Equally with astronomy, the science of geology is capable of
leading the human mind to the most sublime prospects of the creation ;
and presents, for man’s reflection, the most interesting subjects which
can engage the attention of a liberal and enlightened understanding.
It places before our eyes, and in our hands, the clear -and legible
record of an antiquity, compared with which, all other records are
but the tale of yesterday. It offers to us, if I may use the expression,
the most tangible proofs of the aweful power of that inconceivably
Glorious, and Incomprehensible Being, by the spirit of whose Wisdom,
all which we behold has risen into existence; and which may sink
into chaos, whenever, at His nod, a similar convulsion may happen
again.

In collecting information from the mouths of others, even the
natives of the country, a traveller here should consider himself as
always liable to be deceived, notwithstanding his greatest caution in
examining into the probability of what is told him. On the authority
of Muchtnka, whom there was every reason for supposing well
acquainted with this country, I recorded in my journal that the source
of the Makkwarin was at a great distance eastward of this place;
which would imply at least a hundred miles: but an inspection of
the map will show that we passed in every direction eastward, within
a dozen miles, and yet found no traces of it, unless the ravine at my
‘ Garden’ should lead into it; although it appears more probable
that this is connected with the Kruman.

In these wild regions, where little is to be procured but
what nature gives, every useful article of European manufacture
becomes invaluable. With this conviction, it was judged worth

1812. A RIDE BACK TO THE KRUMAN. 313

while to take a journey back to our last station, to search for a small
pocket-knife which was now missed and supposed to have been lost
at that place. It was composed of various articles of convenience,
some of which were of great service in the operations of preparing
the birds for my collection.

As the most important post for myself, was to remain by the
waggons for their protection, I appointed Van Roye and Cornelis, as
being the horsemen and having hitherto done less than any of the
others, to ride back and seek for it at the spot where the waggon
had stood. On this occasion, I made the unfortunate discovery,
that, in time of danger, Van Roye’s courage would be as little to be
depended on, as Gert’s: and I began to feel the mortifying persuasion,
that he would prove on trial, to be as timid as he had already proved
himself lazy. No sooner did he hear that he was appointed to this
duty, than he began to complain of a pain in his back, which, he
said, rendered him utterly unable to ride on horseback ; although he
had ridden twenty miles the day before, and had not till this moment,
been heard to complain of any illness. One of the other Hottentots,
however, betrayed the truth, that the only pain he felt was that of
fear.
In this case, no compulsion could be used, as I had determined
never to require any service, which my people could possibly call
unreasonable ; and therefore appointed Keyser in his place. Yet, on
further reflection, suspecting that even these two would not really
go so far as the Kruman, but would merely keep out of sight the
whole day and make their appearance in the evening with a report of
their not having been successful in their search, I resolved on
going thither myself, Gert having hinted that most of the Hot-
tentots had more or less reluctance to venture alone so far from
the waggons.

Accordingly I set out early in the forenoon, taking with me only
Cornelis. We were both well armed, and supplied with a good
stock of cartridges; and had taken care to provide ourselves not
only with four and twenty hours’ provisions, but also with the means

of producing fire.

VOL. II. SS

314 HOTTENTOT MODE OF DRINKING. 2 Jury,

On such excursions a leathern cup was always found to be a
most useful part of the equipment; as it was made of a single piece
without seam, and could be folded to lie flat in the pocket.

The Hottentots and Bushmen have, in travelling, no need of any
drinking-utensil: they supply its place with their hand, in a most
extraordinary manner: not, as we should suppose, by taking up the
water in the hollow of it; but by bending over the stream or pond,
and throwing, or scooping, the water up to their mouth with their
fingers held straight and close together. I have often admired the
expertness with which it is performed by those who have been long
accustomed to this method ; and have smiled at the awkwardness of
those who would imitate them; as they generally threw the water
over their face and clothes, without being able to guide it into their
mouth. 1

We followed, as our guide, the track made by my waggons,
although the Kamhanni Peak, which is in sight from every part of
the country to the distance of two days-journeys, is generally de-
pended on, as the chief beacon for those who wander over the
surrounding plains. We found the waggon-track in most places
more convenient; as the high grass, which would otherwise have
impeded us, was thus beaten down. ‘The ride was exceedingly plea-
sant, and the weather agreeably warm, yet not so hot as to occasion
fatigue ; and the corn-like appearance of the grass, seemed almost to
persuade me that we were travelling through some district where
agriculture displayed all her riches.

On arriving at the place, the horses were committed to the care
of the Hottentot, while the object of our journey was sought for in
every spot. But all was without success ; and we concluded that the
knife must have been found by some native who had passed by, after
we left the station; or, that it was accidentally buried in the sand,
and therefore irrecoverable.

After waiting till the horses had sufficiently rested, and had
been allowed time to graze along the banks of the stream and
take a draught of its pure waters, we saddled again, and returned
homewards.

1812. KOKUN.— OSTRICHES AND ZEBRAS. — DAUW. 315

In our way, we saw a solitary koktn (kokoon) in the open plain,
prancing about, exactly in the manner of the gnu, holding his head
very low, and lashing his tail. Suddenly he stopped and turned
round to look at us for about a minute, and then galloped off; his
erect mane giving him the appearance of having withers considerably
higher than his head.

A little farther, two ostriches of the largest size, were feeding
in company with a herd of about ten zebras. This latter animal
is called by the Bachapins, Pitst or Pitst (Péetsy) and sometimes,
Piitsé. It is remarkable that the ostrich and the zebra or quakka,
are found most frequently in the society of each other.

I stopped to examine these zebras with my pocket telescope:
they were the most beautifully marked animals I had ever seen:
their clean sleek limbs glittered in the sun, and the brightness and
regularity of their striped coat, presented a picture of extraordinary
beauty, in which probably they are not surpassed by any quadruped
with which we are at present acquainted. It is, indeed, equalled
in this particular, by the dauw, whose stripes are more defined
-and regular; but which do not offer to the eye so lively a colour-
ing. The dauw, or ‘ mountain-horse,’ inhabits, as I was informed,
the Kamhanni mountains, but was never seen in the plains, unless
in their immediate vicinity, whither, on being pursued, it always fled
for refuge.

It had been previously agreed on, with the people at home,
that, on our firing a musket as soon as we came within hearing, they
were to answer it immediately by another discharge, to let us know
that all was well at the waggons. Otherwise, their not giving the
answer, was to be considered as implying that matters went wrong
with respect to the natives; and that we must advance with caution.
This arrangement was made on the possibility that some prowling
gang of robbers might fall in with them during my absence, and,
discovering that the party was divided, might first overcome them,
~ and afterwards place themselves in ambush to intercept the rest.

On arriving at this distance, at which time the sun had already
set, I discharged a pistol, and before it was reloaded, the answer

ss 2

316 TWO OLD WOMEN IN SEARCH OF WILD ROOTS. 2, 3 JuLy,

was given: when we rode forward without hesitation, and on reach-
ing home, found all well. We had been just three hours and ten
minutes on our return ; which corresponds with the relative propor-
tion usually supposed to exist between the pace of a draught-ox,
and that of a saddle-horse, after making a proper allowance for the
greater degree in which the latter is retarded by a sandy road.

3rd. The two Bachapins, whom we saw at the Kruman, had
assured us that for several days-journeys we should find but little
game, as the grass was dried up, and the animals had removed
farther northward, where the herbage still remained green. This
account was confirmed by Speelman, who reported that he had not
fallen in with any, although the ground was every where imprinted
with their footsteps.

He had observed two natives at a distance in the plain, who im-
mediately on seeing him, concealed themselves under the bushes.
He thought it not advisable to approach them, as these movements
appeared suspicious; but, taking particular notice of the spot where
they disappeared, he came home and informed Muchunka, who, fol-
lowing his directions, went to them and brought these formidable
strangers home, when lo! they proved to be two old women, who had
left their dwellings early in the morning, to seek at this distance
their daily food, a few wild roots the scanty gains of many hours’
search. On seeing the hunters, whose costume, being different from
that of their own countrymen, had alarmed them, they hid them-
selves through fear ; but were easily persuaded by Muchunka to come
to the waggons, where he promised them a good meal.

From the meagre looks of these women, one might be authorised
in supposing them not to have had, for many weeks, a sufficiency of
food. The eldest of the two might have been mistaken for a Bush-
woman; and her features proved that her parents had belonged to
the Hottentot race, though she was herself a Bichuana the wife
of a poor herdsman. They were provided only with a pointed stick
to dig up these roots, and a dirty leathern bag in which they carried
them. On examination these appeared to be of some species of
Ornithogalum ; but being without leaves or flower, this opinion was

1812. TIN BULLETS. — SLEEPING IN A WAGGON. 317

mere guess: they were little bigger than a pigeon’s egg, and were
exceedingly bitter, yet roasting or boiling might lessen this quality,
and render them more palatable.

After feeding these poor creatures, and giving them a meal
very different from that which they had looked forward to when they
left their home, they departed ; having stopped with us above two
hours and entirely overcome the fears which the first sight of us had
occasioned.

Our principal work this day, was, casting bullets, making car-
tridges, and completing more cartridge-boxes. ‘These bullets were of
two sorts: one of lead only, which was intended for all general pur-
poses of hunting and defence; the other, of a mixture of two thirds
of lead and one of tin to render them harder, for shooting those
animals whose hide was too thick, or too hard, to be easily penetrable
by a leaden ball, which has been often found, if fired from any con-
siderable distance, to flatten against the skin of a rhinoceros, or
against the bones of other animals of that size. As tin causes such
balls to be lighter than those of pure lead, and consequently, prevents
their flying so far, they were never to be used but as the particular
case required.

The great change of temperature in the course of this day, was
very remarkable, at two in the afternoon, the thermometer rising to
79. (20°83 R.), and at midnight, falling to 37. (2°2 R.).

The weather was exceedingly pleasant; and notwithstanding
the coldness of the evening, my men, seated around a large fire,
passed their time cheerfully; and conversation, and playing the
fiddle, seemed almost to make them forget they were in a strange
land. When they retired to rest, they preferred lying on the ground by
the fire, to sleeping in the waggon, which being elevated and exposed
to the wind, is much colder than any other place. I allowed them,
therefore, to make their bed where they found it most agreeable,
although it would have been a greater check to robbery had they
slept by the pack-waggon ; but, for myself, I dared not indulge in
the same manner, as it would have been extremely imprudent to
have left unguarded my own waggon and the property it contained.

318 BACHAPINS ON A JOURNEY TO SENSAVAN. 3—5 Juty,

The fur-coverlet proved every night more useful and necessary ; and
in cold windy weather, it seemed the only covering which could
enable a person to sleep with tolerable warmth in one of these
waggons ; for along both sides, there was between the upper /e’er-
boom and the mats, a wide opening through which the wind found
free entrance. In hot weather, however, it was exceedingly con-
venient, as it admitted, what then was only a delightful cooling air.

4th. After instructing my people in the use of cartridges, I de-
livered to each his proper complement, and repeated what I had
before said on the great utility of them, in case of an attack, by
enabling us to load more expeditiously.

Van Roye, in order to carry on the deception of his pretended
pain in the back, was obliged to remain in the hut all day, and by
this irksome confinement he inflicted his own punishment. _ I visited
him, yet saw no appearance of illness; nor was he able to specify
his complaint. On the following day he was perfectly recovered.

5th. About noon, a party of three or four Bachapins came to
the waggons. They had no previous knowledge of our being in the
country ; but were passing at some distance off, on their way from
Litakun to Sensavan, with several pack-oxen, for the purpose of
fetching sibi/o : when, perceiving the tops of the two waggons which
they at first thought to be two great rocks, their curiosity induced
them to turn their steps towards us, while their companions and the
oxen held on their proper course. They had, early this morning,
lett a cattle-post in the vicinity of the town, and intended reaching
the Kruman this evening ; at which rate they would probably accom-
plish the whole journey of a hundred and twenty-seven miles, in
three days, unless through fatigue, their oxen should oblige them
to rest, or to slacken their pace. They carried in their hand each
two or three hassagays, their only weapons; and wore no other
clothing than a red leathern kaross, which in their language is called
a kobo.

In place of that kind of covering which has been described as
used by the Hottentot race, under the name of a jackal, these men,
according to the fashion of the Bichuanas, wore what they call a

1812. BICHUANA DRESS.— NUAKKETSIES. — MASSAO. 319

pukoli.* This is formed by a piece of leather nearly of a triangular
shape; each of the three corners ending in a lengthened point, to
one or two of which, is frequently fastened a leathern thong. This
piece of leather being placed in front as an apron, is tied round
the waist by two of its corners, and the third fastened behind. It
is this fashion which constitutes the only essential difference in dress,
between the Bichuana nations, and the various tribes of the Hot-
tentot race. +

On these Bachapins coming up to us, Muchunka met them, and
at first, while asking a few questions, the tone of their voice was low
and reserved, yet not timid; but it was not long before it changed
to that of a free and lively conversation. One of them, who said he
had been on a warlike expedition, or rather, a predatory excursion,
which had lately been sent against the Nudkketsies {, and in which six
of that nation were killed, told me, as a voluntary communication,
that he himself had seen many of them wearing European clothes,
such as jackets and coats ; and that these were part of the contents
of the waggons belonging to the late unfortunate travellers, whom
they had murdered. I was now informed, that the report of the
Nuakketsies’ having fled from their town and retired farther northward,
was not true. These Bachapins expressed much regret that my
party was so small; and asked me why the governor of the Cape
did not send a strong body of white-men to punish the Nuakketsies.
They gave me also the information, that the son of Masss or Massdo,
(Massow) the chief of a neighbouring tribe, having been plundered
of all his cattle by a body of marauders from another nation, had
taken refuge at Litakun, where he was still residing when these men

* This is the name as pronounced by Mattivi the chief. Some pronounced it pukoghe ;
and others, pokdje. All of which are also the name of the animal itself, the jackal, or
Canis mesomelas.

+ The usual appearance of the pukdghe, may be seen in some of the figures in the
28th vignette.

¢ This word may be written Nudkketzies, with a soft z. The original form is Nudk-
ketst. (See the note at page 304.)

320 BACHAPIN HUNTING-PARTIES. 5 Jury,

came away. They further informed me that the Bachapins intended
to have a grand hunt in about a month, and in which all the principal
inhabitants of the town were to assist.

These grand hunting-parties are conducted with great regularity ;
and sometimes not less than five hundred men are engaged in them.
Their mode of proceeding consists in making a wide circuit, so as
to enclose a portion of the country, many miles in extent. This
circle of hunters gradually contracts itself, while the wild animals of
every sort, are driven towards its centre, and the ring closes and at
last becomes a thick and continued line of men. The animals, finding
themselves thus surrounded, make a push to escape, and at the
moment of their passing through this line, the hunters throw their
hassagays, and sometimes kill a considerable number.

The countenance of one of these men in particular, of him who
was so ready to give me the above information, was exceedingly
animated, and very expressive of a keenness of understanding. It
was, it must be owned, a complete contrast to the general expres-
sion of a Hottentot countenance; and, after their wearisome apathy,
the liveliness of these visitors recommended them strongly to my good
opinion, and began to prepossess me in favor of their nation. This
mode of judging, though a very common one, was not, indeed, very
philosophical, or altogether just, since it often happens that under a
dull or reserved exterior, much goodness of heart may lie concealed,
and even some talents; but the comparison often made their cold-
ness seem tedious, and I rejoiced at the prospect of finding the
Bachapins to be a race of men possessed of more animation.

These men addressed me by the title of Harra (father), which is
their usual and most respectful mode in speaking to a superior.
They seemed much pleased at having fallen in with us, and exhibited
no surprise at the sight of a white-man, which, probably, was not
altogether new to them. They appeared to be of a higher class than the
two poor half-starved herdsmen who came to us at the Kruman; and
their spirits would not have been so good, had they, like them, been
living in want of the necessary food: but their bodies exhibited the best

1812. MODE OF TAKING SNUFF.— ON SMOKING TOBACCO. 321

proof of their having enjoyed abundance. They begged for lishuéna
(snuff); and to each I gave enough to have lasted two days, at a
moderate rate of using it.

Their mode of taking snuff was certainly no imitation of Euro-
peans, whose finger and thumb are generally found sufficient for
this purpose; but the Bachapins think otherwise: they lay a large
quantity in the palm of their hand, and draw the whole of it up their
nostrils at once. It was in this manner that I saw it now taken, and
with an eagerness which proved how great was the enjoyment it
afforded them; although, from seeing their eyes streaming with
tears, it would rather have been concluded that it must have been
painful.

But, I will not dare to dispute that there is pleasure in a custom
which, by having been followed by so many, and such various,
nations, must, I imagine, really possess something agreeable, to have
thus gained adoption so generally. The same remark may be made
on that of smoking tobacco, or similar drugs, a practice still more
general, and even more at variance with the simple course of nature ;
if such an opinion may be pronounced of any artificial habits, to
which common consent among the generations of several centuries,
seems to have lent a character which gives them a place among
legitimate, and even reasonable, indulgences.

From the New Continent, the native soil of the tobacco, the
practice of inhaling the smoke of its leaves, and along with it, the
plant itself, have spread over almost every country of the Old World,
and have been received as a valuable addition to the comforts of life.
In no nation can it be estimated at a higher rate, than among those of
Southern Africa; an assertion which has been well proved in the
preceding parts of this journal ; and, in those which follow the same
testimony will be found.

It may be convenient to bring together in this place, the sub-
stance of the information obtained on the subject of Bichudna
tobacco. Although the tobacco-plant has not yet reached the
Bachapins, and although they do not, more than the Bushmen,
cultivate it; vet it has long been travelling southward over the con-

VOL. 1 TT

g22, INTRODUCTION OF THE TOBACCO-PLANT. 5,6 Juty,

tinent, probably from the Portuguese settlements, and is, at this time,
growing among their northern neighbours, from whom they had
obtained it by barter, long before it came to them from the side of
the Cape of Good Hope. The leaves are prepared, they say, by
boiling, or rather, perhaps, by steeping in hot water. This process
renders the smoke less acrid, though less powerful: yet, by my own
men who obtained some at Litakun, it was pronounced pleasant ;
but, in their judgment, its mildness was considered to be a defect,

and they, as well as the Bachapins themselves, always gave the -

preference to that which had been prepared in the Colony. From
some inquiries, made of natives who had seen the plant growing in
those countries, there seems reason for supposing that it is the
round-leaved species * which is there cultivated ; that which is grown
in the Colony, being the long-leaved Virginian sort. T

Our present visitors, as soon as they had enjoyed their handful,
for it could not be called a pinch, of snuff, began to beg for tobacco,
with much good-humoured importunity ; and held up their finger as
the length of the piece they wished for. But, on showing by the
half finger, how much was intended to be given them, they smiled, and
said Nid Harra (No, Sir,); yet, when I remarked to them that as we
travelled on, many more of their countrymen would make the same
request, and that it would be out of my power to distribute to all,
if I were to give away pieces so large as were asked for, they replied,
‘Yes; that is true; and then went away very well satisfied with
the little which I gave them. Besides this, they received some
meat; and, as soon as they had broiled it, ran off with great speed
to overtake their companions.

It was now perceived that Gert felt strongly disposed to encroach
on indulgence, and that, unfortunately, kindness only encouraged
disrespect. Although I had long followed a rule of giving my people
their rations of tobacco and brandy on Mondays, he now demanded
them before the time, and told me that the quantity which was
allowed to the people, was not half enough, and that the boors always

* Nicotiana rustica. + Nicotiana Tabacum.

1812. GERT.— JULI.— THE AFRICAN AURORA. 323

gave their Hottentots brandy whenever they asked for it. This
language was not to be endured with forbearance, as authority here,
could be supported by nothing but resolution and prudence. I was
therefore compelled to order him instantly, and in a peremptory
manner, away from my waggon: hoping thus to check a spirit which
otherwise might soon spread among my whole party. :

It was about this time that I began to discover that in Judi I pos-
sessed a valuable servant, and to perceive symptoms of fidelity which
gradually gained my confidence, notwithstanding the disappointment
which, in this respect, the conduct of some of the others had caused to
me. I had not yet reposed in him greater trust than in any of the rest ;
but he often deserved it by a conscientious desire which he manifested
for doing his duty. His manners were steady, without being over
sedate: he often could be lively and cheerful; but never allowed his
temper to approach either extreme. He had not, it is true, that
degree of animation which had pleased me in Speelman; but he was
less irregular in his movements and opinions. In short, he was more
honest, and less inclined to deceive me or conceal the truth, than
any other of my Hottentots.

«6th. A nightly watch had first been established at Kosi Foun-
tain, and from that time, it had been regularly continued. I had
myself kept the sentries to their duty during the first half of the
night, as my occupations in the waggon in writing and arranging the
notes and collections of the day, had always engaged me till after
that hour. But sometimes, in order to keep them on the alert during
the latter half, I took my sleep earlier, and rose between midnight
and daybreak.

This gave me an opportunity of making a comparison between
the dawn of an African day, and the superior beauty of that hour
in Europe. This inferiority of the African Aurora, is occasioned,
perhaps, by the aridity of the climate and clearness of the atmo-
sphere. It is to the want of clouds and vapor to receive and refract
the first rays of the sun while still beneath the horizon, that we must
attribute the deficiency of those rosy and golden tints, and those
beams of light, which decorate the morning sky of European

gy a4

324 THE BREAK OF DAY.— THE WIND. — THE SKY. 6 Juzy,

countries. Yet the approach of daylight in the interior regions of
this continent, is not totally devoid of pleasing effects; and, though
less glowing and less enlivened by variety of hues and forms, it
offers to an admiring eye a beauty of a more quiet and modest kind.
While watching the cold darkness of night, the eastern sky becomes
less obscure, a faint light gradually increases; the stars seem to fade
away, though the earth still continues in night; a warm glow is
perceptible, and soon spreads itself over the vault of heaven; the
trees along the horizon become visible, and, backed by the sky, the
upper branches of those which are nearer, are seen more distinctly ;
the landscape begins to show its outline; the light has reached. the
west ; the forms of objects are visible, but as yet, present a painting
in one color only, a sombre brown, equally strong in the distance
and in the foreground; the whole atmosphere is illumined, and re-
flects its light upon the earth ; the farthest verge of the plain becomes
fainter and recedes, while the various clumps of trees follow to their
place in the picture, and, assuming a just keeping, change their
brown, for the less dubious colors of day; the azure of the sky is
every where suffused with a warmer light; Nature is awake; and,
unattended by cloud or vapor, the sun himself is seen rising above
the horizon in noontide brilliancy.

Whatever wind may blow during the day, in the countries of
the Interior, it most frequently subsides at sunset. This circum-
stance, so fortunate for those who sleep in the open air, was more
especially favorable to my astronomical observations, as it admitted of
using the artificial horizon without any kind of covering to protect
the surface of the mercury from agitation by currents of air, of which
it is exceedingly susceptible.

At this season of the year, the sky, either by night or by day, is
seldom veiled by a cloud; nor is the slightest dew ever felt but in the
time of the rains, when, however, it falls very copiously. Though
in the Transgariepine the days in the winter months, of which we were
now in the coldest, are very pleasant, and sometimes even hot; the
nights are cold; and our feelings, as well as the thermometer, indicate
that the temperature of the air is near the freezing point. On most

1812. MAGNETIC VARIATION. — UTILITY OF VULTURES. 325

mornings, just before sunrise, the grass is observed to be covered with
hoar-frost : but as there is rarely either vapor, or cloud, to diminish the
heat of the sun, this appearance quickly vanishes.

By taking equal altitudes of the sun before, and after, noon,
with its correspondent bearings by the needle, I found the magnetic
variation to be 27° } W. My instrument for ascertaining these bear-
ings, was not, indeed, constructed for the smaller subdivisions ; but
this defect was remedied by adopting a more careful process, and
therefore the result may perhaps be depended on, to within an eighth
of a degree, which may be considered accurate enough for a traveller’s
purpose.

One of the dogs which had unfortunately been run over by the
waggon, a few days before, was so much injured that it died at this
place. The body was taken to a short distance from our station, but
the crows and vultures soon discovered it, and, assembling around,
immediately began to tear it to pieces. These birds, so little disturbed
by the presence of man, scem to consider all dead bodies as their
perquisites ; and the natives view them without feeling the least
desire to molest them.

And here we cannot but again see and admire that wisdom, and
perfection of plan, which exist in every part of the creation. Vultures
have been ordained evidently to perform very necessary and useful
duties on the globe ; as, indeed, has every other animated being, how-
ever purblind we may be in our views of their utility; and we might
almost venture to declare that these duties are the final cause of their
existence. To those who have had an opportunity of examining
these birds, it need not be remarked how perfectly the formation of a
vulture is adapted to that share in the daily business of the globe,
which has evidently been allotted to it ; that of clearing away putrid
or putrescent animal matter, which might otherwise taint the air and
produce infectious diseases. Many of the vultures are among the
largest of the feathered tribe, and all, even the smaller species, have
great bodily strength in proportion to their size. Their legs are’
strong, but as they are not, like the eagles and owls, intended for
seizing and preying on live animals, they have not been furnished with

326 CONFORMATION AND HABITS OF VULTURES. 6 JULY,

claws so sharp, or with nails so much curved as theirs; though here it
may perhaps be said that their mode of life, in standing on the ground
while feeding, wears off the points of these. Yet this is not less the
result of Divine decree; for the different species of the feline genus *
have excessively sharp nails, notwithstanding their walking on the
ground; and for the preservation of their points, so essential to their
mode of seizing their prey, Nature has given them an admirable and
peculiar power of drawing them back. The head and neck of vul-
tures could not have been, like other birds, covered with feathers,
because these, not being in the reach of their beak, could not have
been easily kept clean, and would soon have become clotted together
by the blood or dirt of the carcasses on which they fed. These parts
are, therefore, either quite bare, or clothed only with a short woolly
or downy covering. Their wings are long and large; and their bones,
though thick, are remarkably light, a conformation which enables
them to sustain their bodies for so great a length of time, in the
highest regions of the atmosphere. Their beak is strong and hooked ;
and remarkably well formed for tearing out entrails, or dividing
putrid flesh. ‘Their own flesh smells strongly like carrion, and no
other animal, however pressed by hunger, will eat it; a quality of
importance to their preservation : for, were it eatable, they would be
exposed to destruction while in the exercise of their duty, which often
obliges them to feed in company with hyenas, and other beasts of prey
which occasionally satisfy their hunger by a dead carcass. But so
nicely is the mutual relation of all things balanced, that none of these
animals, nor the domestic dog, show the least inclination to take away
the life of these birds. For this reason they are, in every country, it
would seem, tolerated by man, and sometimes treated even with
respect. They have an extent of privilege, which their associates
the hyenas have not; because they never harm the living.

* I may be allowed here to make the remark, although it belong properly to a part
of the journal not comprised in the present volume, that the South-African animal called
Luipard (Leopard) by the Dutch colonists, and ’Nkwi and Nkwdni (Inkwani) by the
Bachapins, and supposed to be the Fels jubata, has not the sharp retractile claws which
- distinguish the feline genus.

1812. PRINCIPLE OF LIFE.— ORGANIZED MATTER. 327

On taking a view of the surface of the globe, we discover life
under so great a multitude of shapes, that it may reasonably be
doubted whether the researches of man, have as yet made him
acquainted with the half of them. Every part of it teems with ani-
mated forms; air, water, and even earth to a certain depth, contain a
countless variety of objects endowed with that mysterious principle,
Life. This principle, modified, supports the existence of every
organised object in the creation, and must not be confounded with
animation : for this is to be distinguished as the visible operation of
the anima; or, if we may be allowed so to call it, the breath of Divinity.
Organized bodies have always, and by universal consent, been divided
into the two classes of Animal and Vegetable: both these possess
the principle of life, but only the former, that of animation. Abstract
these principles, and there remains Matter ; this still continuing for
‘a longer or shorter period afterwards, to retain its organization.

Now, the conclusion which may be drawn from this view of
terrestrial objects, is; that organized matter, whether, independently
of modification, it really be, or be not, essentially different from
mineral or inert matter, has been destined to be common property,
and to circulate through the whole system of living objects. By this
circulation, it passes from one to the other, in unceasing support of
vitality ; proceeding and returning, sometimes in a wider and some-
times in a smaller circle, through an endless succession of periods.
It may be asserted that no new particle of matter ever comes into the
world; for this would imply a new creation: that none can be lost,
for this would imply the annihilation of what the wisdom of the Deity
has created; a supposition to which man’s reason can not assent.
Vegetables, most of which are observed to grow more luxuriantly
in earth impregnated with animal juices or with disorganized animal
particles, are the first producers of organization; animals, the de-
stroyers of it. It is evidently the law of Nature, that matter once
made capable of life, shall never cease from the same duty ; and it is
equally so, that animal bodies shall receive no nutriment but from
organized substances. From this it follows, that in one body life must
cease or be destroyed, before another can obtain that species of food
which its conformation renders necessary. The eagle therefore de-

328 SUCCESSIVE DESTRUCTION OF LIFE. 6 JuLy,

stroys this, himself; the vulture waits till it has been destroyed by
others, or till vitality has departed through other causes. If we look
around at the animal creation, from the huge whale to the most minute
object that moves, we everywhere behold examples of one species
maintaining its existence by the destruction of others upon which it
feeds; and of those which have been formed to require vegetable
aliment, becoming themselves the food of others which have been
created carnivorous; these latter, perhaps, never preying naturally
on species of their own class. The beasts and birds of prey, together
with vultures, are, in their turn, the food of innumerable maggots the
larvee of beetles * of various species, which, like the vultures, have
the faculty of discovering a carcass as soon as putrefaction com-
mences; and are then seen in the air, approaching from the leeward
in swarms, guided only by their sense of smell.

This picture of a succession of destruction among the animal crea-
tion, though natural and immutable, is not an agreeable one; and the
Power which made things so, has implanted in the human mind a
sentiment which, if not stifled, causes this prospect, however inte-
resting and instructive, to appear unpleasing ; and, from the view of
rapacity and death, warfare and bloodshed, even though the result
of natural laws, we gladly turn towards that part of animated
nature where more peaceful scenes present themselves: from the
tiger to the lamb, from the hawk to the dove, we turn with pleasure.
Or, if more tranquil thoughts delight us, we change to the con-
templation of the beauties and perfection of inanimate objects; to
the verdant foliage of the spreading trees which clothe the mountain-
foot, or to the lively hues of the fragrant flowers which adorn the
valleys.

Thus we see, throughout the whole system of nature, all things
connected together, and necessary to each other’s existence ; useful in
life, and useful in death: each animated object submitting to its

a a a a I

* These beetles were of the genera, Necrobia, Thanatophilus, Silpha, and Dermestes.
But on other occasions, when they were also attracted by smell, they consisted of various
species of Copris, Onthophagus, Ateuchus, Sisyphus, Gymnopleurus, and Onitis: and it was
amusing to see them in great numbers, one after another thus coming up from leeward.

1812. DESCRIPTION OF THE LINONG. 329

superior; and all, to man. In him terminates this scale of rapine
and destruction; in him, this graduated tyranny reaches its height.

To return to the subject; we shot one of these vultures: it was
a female, and measured seven feet from the point of one wing to that
of the other, when extended. The top of the head was covered with
a white feathery wool, which at the back part was longer, and stood in
a reversed position. This bird was of a blackish brown color above ;
but the thighs and under parts of the body and neck were white. The
quill feathers, and those of the tail, were black. That part of the
neck, which was bare, together with the base of the beak, were white ;
the beak and feet were of flesh-color; the bare part round the eyes,
white; and the irides, of the color of burnt-umber. Before the skin
was taken off, I made a drawing of the head: this is given in the
vignette at page 310, in the proportion of one third of the natural
size. By the Bichuanas, it is called Linéng.*

The operation of preparing this bird for my collection was
exceedingly disgusting, and the Hottentot whom I employed to assist
me, suffered as much as myself from its naturally putrid smell. We
were unable to continue long at the work, as it soon began to excite
a nausea; and it was not till the second day that it was completed.

The tire, or iron band, round the wheels of all Cape-made wag-
gons, being of one entire piece, possesses, indeed, the advantages of
strength and security, but it is at the same time liable to the dis-
advantage of expansion in hot weather; while the fellies, if not made
of wood perfectly seasoned, are contracted by the same cause. The
consequence of which is, that the joints open, and the tire becomes
loose in every part; a serious imperfection in vehicles for travelling
over a wild and pathless country, where the assistance of a waggon-
maker, or a blacksmith, is not to be obtained. In the midst, there-

* Vultur occipitalis, B. (Mas.) Corpus, supra fusco-nigrum, subtus album. Caput
lanugine alba tectum, occipitali reversé. Colli pars superior nuda, posterior plumis
patentibus nigris, et anterior depressis brevissimis albis, tectze. Remiges rectricesque
nigree, rachidibus supra nigris subtus albis. Tibiae (femora) plumis albis densé vestitee.
Rostrum et pedes, incarnata. Orbita denudata, colli pars, et cera, alba. Ungues nigri.
Lingua brevis integra, apice rotundata, basi sagittata laciniata.

VOL. II. UU

330 ANDRIES’S NEGLECT.— TALES IN THE NIGHT-WATCH. 6, 7 Jury,

fore, of other, and very different, occupations, the task fell upon me

to direct and superintend the business of caulking the joints with,

either pieces of canvas dipped in hot pitch, or with small wedges of
wood. I employed others of my people in casting musket-balls, and '
some in making cartridges.

In the meantime Andries, whose turn it was to attend our few
remaining sheep while at pasture, seemed desirous of giving me proofs
of his worthlessness, and so totally neglected his duty, that, at an early
hour, it was discovered that they had strayed away. Two Hotten-
tots were sent in search, and after a few hours, brought them home.
But, determined on putting my patience to another trial, he suffered
them, in the course of the afternoon, again to stray so far that they
could not be found that night. On the next morning, men were sent
out to follow their track; and it was very unexpected good fortune,
that they were all met with and brought back by noon. It was seldom
that my Hottentots would condemn, or give evidence against each
other ; but this time they all exclaimed loudly against Andries, as he
had given them so much trouble in repairing his neglect, and
recommended that his rations of tobacco should be withheld: a
recommendation to which I readily attended ; as we had on several
occasions ascertained that it was a mode of correction in which there
was considerable efficacy.

Desiring my men to wake me at a little after midnight, I pointed
out to one of them, who was at that hour to be on guard, the star
Arcturus, and ordered him to call me when he saw it setting. I
thought it useful to show by my occasional presence at such times,
that I did not impose on them any hardship, in which I was not
willing to bear a share, as I conceived that it might lead them to
think lighter of the task.

The night was exceedingly chilly; and, being now in a part of
the country where Bushmen seldom came, we were not, as hitherto,
prevented, by the fear of betraying our position, from keeping up a
large fire: and those whose watch was ended, not being inclined to
sleep, the number of the party round the fire continued increasing till
the morning. They amused both themselves and me, by relating to

1812. KEYSER’S ANECDOTES. — POISON-DRINKERS. 331

each other their various adventures, and accounts of Bushmen; and
among their descriptions, one given by Keyser, of a Hottentot of
Sneeuwberg being pierced by so many arrows that when they found
his body he looked more like a porcupine than a man, was in the
genuine style of African anecdote.

Few Hottentots knew more histories of this kind, than Keyser ;
and being of short stature, in features not unlike a Bushman, and
speaking that language fluently, his companions would sometimes
teaze him, by pretending to believe that he was really a wild Bushman
who had been caught when young, and brought up in a boor’s family.
He was, however, a Colonial Hottentot ; and from much experience
in such affairs, his anecdotes relative to the colonists proved that these
had frequently suffered great losses in cattle, from the incursions of the
Bushmen ; but that they had sometimes taken unsparing vengeance
on the offenders. He asserted from his own knowledge, that a Hot-
tentot, who had gradually and by small doses habituated himself to
the practice of swallowing the poison of snakes, for the purpose of
rendering his blood unsusceptible of its effects, was once severely
wounded by a Bushman’s arrow ; yet though the wound would other-
wise have been certainly mortal, he did not die. That the blood may
be thus fortified against the consequences of a poisoned wound, is a
very common belief among Hottentots ; but it did not appear that
they often tried this mode, as those few who ventured, were particu-
‘larly distinguished among them as gift-drinkers (poison-drinkers).

The Hottentots of that part of the Colony northward of Graaff-
reynet, call the bordering tribes of Bushmen, Sdqua or Saakwa; but
the Klaarwater Hottentots, and the Koras, as Muchunka told me,
designate the Bushmen living southward of the Gariep by the names
of "Kesa@kgkwa or Kes kwa (Kowsaqua), which imply ‘ men beyond
the river.’ Those who inhabit the northern side of that river, are
called Nusakwa (Noosaqua), a name of correspondent import.

7th. 1 was visited by a Bachapin, apparently of a poorer class
than those whom we had last seen. I offered him some snuff, and
learnt by his refusal, that, however general the custom of taking snuff
may be among his countrymen, it is not universal. Tobacco, for

uuZ

332 TIMID VISITOR. — CHARACTER OF SPEELMAN. 7—9 Juxy,

smoking, was accepted with warm expressions of thankfulness; but
he was much less importunate in begging, and less talkative, than his
nation usually are. He was even timid: this might be occasioned
by his being alone as a Bachapin, among so many strangers; for
numbers always give to savages a degree of boldness, and sometimes
insolence, of which, under other circumstances, they exhibit no signs.
On coming to me as I sat in the waggon, he exclaimed, Koosi,
K6osi ! (rich chieftain) ; and when I endeavoured to assure him that
I was not such, that I had but little property in the waggon, and but
few oxen, he significantly shook his head, as if to express that he
could not believe me.
A young Kokung (Kokoon or Kokoong) was shot in the plain by
Speelman. This Hottentot took so much delight in hunting, that he
was generally the foremost in parties of this kind, and was perhaps one
of the most successful. It was the duty which had been allotted to
him; yet, when circumstances demanded it, he was employed in a
variety of others, and was found to be, as a Hottentot, active, intelligent,
and useful; though requiring always the superintendance and guidance
of a master. Having been longer in my service than most of the
others, he seemed to consider himself entitled to the privileges of an
old servant, and to have acquired some degree of attachment to me,
which, though often dormant, was, to do him justice, oftener awake.
8th. Taking a walk this morning round our station, I observed
growing in rocky places, a handsome species of Aloé*, which the
Bachapins call ¢dkwi, and which apparently was of the same kind as
one seen near the Kygariep. I here met with, for the first time, a re-
markable kind of Mesembryanthemum +, which may be reckoned in

* Resembling Aloé saponaria; but it was probably a new species.

+ Mesembryanthemum aloides, B. Catal. Geogr. 2197. Planta acaulis, radice fusi-
forme. Folia spathulata, basi connata, acuta, margine integra, supra plana, subtus
convexa, dupl6 latiora quam crassa, obscuré viridia punctis albidis conspersa. Flos
sessilis flavus.

This plant, together with ten other new species raised in England from seed collected
on the journey, have been already made known to botanists by an author whose extensive
knowledge of this numerous genus, and whose experience in the cultivation of vegetables

1812. DETECTION OF MINUTE PLANTS. — STORE-CHESTS. 333

the number of those wild plants, the roots of which are eaten by
the natives, as a substitute for better food. There were not many
things to be found at this season; but I discovered, almost accident-
ally, happening to sit down on the ground close by them, two small
plants, the singularity of which consisted in their being so exactly
of the color of the white limestone on which they grew, that scarcely
any eye could have noticed them in walking by. *

Experience teaches, that many curious and minute plants will
escape detection, unless sought with more than ordinary attention ;
and that, by sitting or standing still and carefully looking around,
many interesting objects of natural history may be discovered, which
otherwise would have been passed unheeded and unknown. In those
parts of my journey where the riches of botany or entomology were
more profusely scattered, I seldom sat down to rest myself during
my rambles, without perceiving some object which would not have
caught my eye under any other circumstances.

9th. I now got out from one of the store-chests the beads and
other things which were intended as presents to the Bachapin chief;
as it was not likely that there would be, before we arrived at the
town, so favorable an opportunity for assorting and arranging them
without interruption.

In addition to which reason for opening the store-chests at this
place, was that of preventing the natives from knowing how large a
stock I had of these things. To have allowed them to see the con-
tents of the chests, would have been, to tempt them to rob me; or,
should their sense of honesty restrain them from such an attempt ;
still the sight of so much riches might render them covetous, and
induce them to practise every extortionate and unfair stratagem tc

of this tribe, have enabled him to present to the public the most correct arrangement of it,
which has hitherto appeared. See “ Supplementum Plantarum Succulentarum; Autore
A. H. Haworth.”
* These were a species of Crassula ? with scale-like imbricated leaves; and
Anacampseros lanigera, B. Catal. Geogr. 2196. Planta uncialis, tota lana densa albA
involuta, inter quam ramenta rigida tortuosa.

334 DESCRIPTION OF THE 9 Juty,

get possession of them. Muchunka had assured me that the Briquas
(Bachapins) would not ill-treat me; and though this account of his
countrymen should be correct, I conceived, on mature reflection, that
they ought not to be trusted with any knowledge of my affairs or
plans, which it was possible to conceal from them, lest that inform-
ation should precede me in the countries beyond them, and prepare
those nations for impeding my progress, or suggest the idea that my
waggons would be a valuable booty.

Five of my people were out hunting all day, but no game of
any kind was seen, excepting an antelope which good-fortune threw
in Juli’s way, and which luckily he shot. It was an entirely new
species, and the sequel proved it to be extremely scarce, as I never
met with it again during the whole of my travels. Juli returned im-
mediately for help to bring it home, and two of the Bachapins
voluntarily accompanied him, and lent their assistance. The meat
proved to be tender, and of a delicate taste. The name which they
gave it, was, Khaama; but as this is the name which the Bichuanas,
in common with the Hottentots, apply to that animal which the
Dutch colonists term Hartebeest *, it would rather seem that the new
species is not sufficiently frequent in their country to have obtained,
generally, a distinct name. But this is mere surmise; for the true
Kaama differs from it so much in the form of its horns, that the two
sorts never could be really confounded together, even by the most
unobservant savage, The species to which it has the nearest affinity,
fs that which, in the Cape Colony, is more properly called Blesbok ;
but it is a larger animal than either that or the hartebeest. Its horns,
of which a representation, both in front and in profile, is here given,
have suggested the name of Antilope lunata +, by presenting, when
viewed in front, the form of a crescent. They were ten inches long,

* The Antilope Bubalis, of Linnzus.
+ Antilope lunata, B. Nigrescente-fusca. Femora et tibiee fulva, illa anticé nigres-
centia. Facies et frons, nigrescentes, lateribus purpureo-fuscis. Cornua subreclinata,

extrorsim arcuata, apicibus introrsum versus, teretia, dimidio inferiore et ultra annulato.
Cauda brevis, pilis longis nigris jubata.

1812. CRESCENT-HORNED ANTELOPE. 335

Z
,

WM)

when measured in a straight line from the base to the tip; and
their points were nearly that distance apart. Their position on the
skull was about two inches and a half asunder, and reclining a little
behind the facial line. ‘The general color of this antelope was, when
living, a dark iron-grey, or what a painter would call a light blue-
black ; but which changed to a lighter and browner hue after the
skin had become dry. The whole of the face, as far even as the
ears, was almost black; and this mark, with the form of the horns
and greater size, constitute the only obvious difference between this
animal and the Blesbok.* The nose, and sides of the face, were of a
purplish brown ; and the ears were of the same color as the rest of the
body, excepting some white hairs which fringed their inner margin.
The legs were of a tawny or reddish brown, but of a darker, or
blackish, color in front down to the knees. The feet, below the two
spurious hoofs were blackish ; and these hoofs, of a roundish form,
and placed at equal heights. ‘The real hoofs were black; and those
of the fore-feet rather more than four inches long. Their pointed

* The Blesbok is so called, from having a white mark on its forehead, similar to that
which, in horses, is termed, in Dutch, a bles, and by English horsemen a star, or blaze.
Late systematic writers have applied to the Blesbok the name of Pygarga (White-rump),
which, by earlier authors, was intended for the Springbok: and as this name becomes
absurd and contradictory when thus used, I have taken the liberty of substituting in its
place, that of albifrons.

336 THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 9 Jury,

form and smoothness prove that this animal is not an inhabitant of
mountains or rocky places. Their figure, and that of the tail, drawn
in proportion to the horns, may be seen at the end of this chapter.
The tail, which was about nine inches long and was like that of the
blesbok, was furnished on the upper side with long black hair ; that,
towards the tip, being the longest, and measuring five inches. The
fresh skin, when spread out upon the ground, measured, from the end
of the nose to the tip of the tail, seven feet and seven inches ; across
the middle of the body, four feet ; in extent between the ends of the
two fore legs, eight feet and five inches; and the same of the hind
legs, eight feet. The length of the ears was eight inches. From
these dimensions it would appear that, at the withers, the height of
the Crescent-horned Antelope is nearly four feet, and the diameter
of its body a little more than fifteen inches. *

* Of this antelope, the first and only skin ever brought to Europe was, along with
a number of others, as I have stated in the note at page 383. of the preceding volume,
presented to The British Museum. At the time of writing that note, and previously to it,
I confined my complaints against that establishment, to its long protracted delay in
placing them before the Public, and to its neglect of a donation which was made under
the implied condition of being immediately disposed of in the proper manner. Finding
the Museum so dilatory in this case, I repeatedly complained, and urged in support of my
complaint, the injustice which was done to the Public, as well as to a collection which had
been pronounced valuable to zoological science. At first, orders were given for these skins
to be put into proper form with as little delay as possible; and a few (7) were in conse-
quence then stuffed; after which the work proceeded no farther. ‘To my remonstrance,
it was replied, at one time, that these quadrupeds would require more rcom than that
building would allow. At another time I learnt that the expense * was greater than the
funds of the establishment would authorise. Be all this as it may, I know that several
quadrupeds received long since mine, have been stuffed, and some preserved in a much
‘more expensive manner; and that hundreds, and I believe thousands, of pounds have, since
that time, been expended by the Museum in the purchase of objects of natural-history. .

To these subjects my complaints were at that time confined ; because I relied on an
official communication which stated that ali requisite care was taken of my animals, and
that no fear need be entertained respecting their security and preservation from damage
by insects. How unexpected, therefore, was the additional mortification which I felt, when
[had occasion, in July last, (1822) to visit the Museum for the purpose of making a draw-
ing of the horns of the above described antelope. I was shown a large chest which was

* It was estimated that the expense of stuffing them would not amount to 300/.: one third of which
had already been paid; and the most expensive part of the work, occasioned by setting up the two Camelo-
pards, was then completed.

1812. MATTIVI’S BROTHER. 337

We had not, in our daily hunting excursions, which extended to
the distance of several miles from our station, discovered any village
or residences of the natives. Those who had visited us, had always
come a long way from their home; and this was the reason of our
having hitherto seen so few inhabitants ; but in the afternoon, three
Bichuanas joined our party, and remained with us till the next day.
They told me they were herdsmen to Mattivi, and were lying at a
cattle-place lower down the Makkwarin.

_ They had lately been at Litakun ; and now reported to me that the
elder brother of Mattivi, as soon as he heard of the approach of a white-
person from the Colony, and supposing that he would return imme-
diately after visiting that place, had conceived the desire, and actually
formed the resolution, of making a journey to Cape Town, of which
he had heard many accounts at Klaarwater. His plan was to return
thither with me, and he had therefore long been expecting my arrival
with impatience; but having heard that I had finally left the Trans-
gariepine, and had gone back to the Colony, (this report related to
my journey to Graaffreynet) he had now, under great disappoint-
ment, relinquished his intention.

This story raised my curiosity and, at the same time, a wish to

intended to contain my collection; but on examination, the antelope I sought, was not
there, neither were some others which were equally rare and valuable. At length an old
packing-case was found, which had been nailed up in a manner which evinced that the
preservation of its contents had not been the purpose for which it was intended; and on
its being opened I discovered, the skin of my Anézlope lunata, together with another unde-
scribed species, of which that also was the only individual ever shot or seen, and six others,
all swarming with live moths and maggots, and their hair dropping off. That this irrepar-
able destruction was attributable toa want of due care cannot be denied; since those dupli-
cates which I had retained in my own collection, remained still in as good condition as when
they were first brought home. ‘The motives which induced me to give these quadrupeds
to our national museum, induced me also, to give the best of all which I possessed; and I
therefore permitted the person who was engaged by the museum for stuffing them, to come
previously to my house and select those which he thought the finest and the most perfect.

I have now only to regret the time and labor which have been iost during my travels,
in preserving and bringing away those skins; as it would have been less vexatious to have
left them to be eaten by maggots in the deserts of Africa, than in the British Museum:
and I do hope, for the credit of that establishment and for the character of my country,
as it relates to the pursuit and encouragement of science, that every future gift will meet
with less neglect, and with a better fate, than mine has unfortunately experienced.

VOL. II. x x

338 READING SICHUANA. 9 Juty,

ascertain the truth of it. Revolving it often in my mind, I
endeavoured to imagine, what might be his motive for such a journey.
When [I attributed it to that desire, so rare in a savage, of visiting
other countries for the purpose of enlightening his mind and of
acquiring a knowledge of civilized arts, I glowed with so pleasing an
idea, and almost regretted that I should not have the gratification
of conducting him thither, of showing to him the practical ad-
vantages of those arts, and of inspiring him with sentiments which,
at his return to his own country, might stimulate him to the imita-
tion of what he had seen, and to the civilizing of his countrymen.

But his own countrymen, as far as I could yet see, had no
dreams of this nature: their thoughts embraced little beyond eating
and smoking. Our visitors begged for snuff and tobacco as soon
as they accosted me; and when they had obtained this and some
meat, they seemed to enjoy as much happiness as man in a state of
mere animal existence, probably ever attains.

I was here much amused, and perhaps gained a new idea, by
observing in them the workings of an untaught mind. I had my
interpreter by my side, but wishing to put to the test, what I had
hitherto learnt, or rather, written down, of the Sichuana language,
I read to these men various words and sentences out of my book.
These were readily understood by them, who at first, supposing
me to have a tolerable knowledge of that tongue, talked a great
deal, to which I could give no answer; but when they at length dis-
covered that I could speak only when I looked in the book, they stood
with eyes and mouth wide open; wondering both at the book and at
myself, and unable to conceive how it could be, that ‘the white thing
in my hand,’ told me what to say; or how, by only looking at it, I
could know more than when I did not. But the most singular
part of this little comedy, was performed by Muchunka, whose
simple brain seemed not yet to contain a true idea of the nature of
writing or of the real purport and utility of our evening exercises at
the dictionary and vocabulary. As it would have been only a proof
of my own folly to have asked him to explain the operations and
conceptions of his mind on this subject, I am left to suppose that he

1812. SURPRISE AND LAUGHTER. 339

believed Ialways committed to memory his answers to my questions,
and that my making ‘ black scratches’ upon the paper with my pen,
was only what he had at Klaarwater seen and heard called schryvende
(writing). He was, he said, exceedingly surprised at my remember-
ing so well every thing he had taught me, and even those words
which he had never told me but once. When I explained, that it
was the marks which I had made in the book while he was in the
waggon, which now showed me what I was to say, he laughed most
heartily, and desired to see the very words which I was pronouncing.
On pointing them out, he laughed again; and his three countrymen,
whose mouth and eyes had by this time recovered from their expres-
sion of surprise. joined in the laughter; while I myself, as I shut the
book, was unable to resist the impression which their ludicrous
appearance and distorted countenances made upon me.

xx 2

CHAPTER XIII.

JOURNEY FROM THE RIVER MAKKWARIN TO THE TOWN OF LITAKUN.

Jury 10th. We departed from the Makkwarin at noon, bending our
course to the south-east. We still continued travelling over the
Great Plains of Litakun, where nothing but the distant horizon
bounded our prospect, excepting behind us, where the blue summits
of the Kamhanni mountains near the Kruman, rose to break the
evenness of the line, The soil, as hitherto, was in most parts sandy
and of a very red color, abounding in tall grass and, in the latter
half of the day’s-journey, ornamented with many beautiful thick
clumps of méhaaka trees (tarchonanthus) of ten or twelve feet in
height, which from their more diffuse ramification, appeared to be
a new species. * In the course of the afternoon, we passed through
many extensive areas of those kinds of grass which have been men-
tioned as giving to the plains the appearance of fields of wheat. +

* Catalogus Geographicus, n. 2202.

+ The above vignette will give an idea of the scenery here described. It will, together
with the others of this and the former volume, present at the same time a specimen of the
perfection to which the art of engraving on wood may be carried; and will not lessen the
reputation which Mr, Branston’s talents in this art had already gained.

10 Jury, 1812. KLAATALAKUMO.—BACHAPINS AND BUSHMEN. 341

Among these grasses, was a very remarkable sort with long curved
awns growing from one side of a thin spike.* Here I first met with
a very ornamental shrub +, three feet high, covered with small silky
leaves, and decorated with a profusion of yellow flowers: it abounds
in several parts of the plains south-westward of Litakun.

When we were about half way on the day’s journey, a spot
was pointed out, at a considerable distance on the right, where,
as a remarkable circumstance, a kraal of Bushmen were then re-
siding. It was from their being known as less addicted to robbing,
that they were permitted by the Bachapins, to take a temporary
residence so near to their chief town. This spot was called
Kldatilaktimé, or, Klaatalakomo; and was surrounded by a thick
grove of large acacias. Some of its inhabitants were seen, but
they did not approach us. They left the place a few weeks after-
wards, and removed their kraal more within the boundaries of their
own country ; if so nice a distinction of territory can be made between
these nations. The Bachapins and Bushmen are, in general, not on
very good terms; but they are tolerated in each other’s country, if
they excite no suspicion of their being come there with the design
of stealing cattle ; for robbery of this kind is, between the various
South- African nations, the only cause of warfare, whether as avowed
plundering, or as pretended retaliation.

Notwithstanding the whole days-journey being over sandy
ground, the oxen stepped on for the greater part of the time at the
rate of eighty-six revolutions of the wheel in five minutes, which,
according to the table already mentioned as having been calculated
for this purpose, indicated three miles and a hundred-and-thirty-eight
yards in the hour: in the heaviest parts of the road, our rate was
only eighty-one revolutions. From these data, combined with the
time we were travelling, which was five hours and fifteen minutes,
the length of this day’s-journey may be stated with tolerable exactness,
at fifteen miles and a quarter.

* Catal. Geogr. n. 2220.
+ Passerina? Catal. Geogr. 2203.

342 ON DISTANCES TRAVELLED. — SIKKLONIANI. 10 Juxy,

A traveller, therefore, who would adopt this method of ascertain-
ing distances, would be careful to note down in his memorandum
book, not only the number of revolutions at different times ; but the
times by his watch, when the waggon first moves on, and when it
arrives at the station ; besides keeping an account of the time lost
by occasionally halting on the road.

An apparatus of clock-work on the principle of the perambulator,
may, on smooth roads, as it does in Europe, answer this purpose, and
be attended with much less trouble; but a similar contrivance would
very soon be put out of order, by the violent jolts which a waggon
receives in travelling over a wild and rugged country: and if the
strong iron-work of the vehicle itself, is not always able to resist
these shocks, it is to be feared that slighter mechanism would fail
also. The experiment, however, is worth trying.

The sun had already sunk below the horizon, before we reached
our next station. This spot, called by the natives Sikkléniani, was a
collection of small grassy ponds of clear and excellent water, sup-
plied by constant springs which rose at the bottom of them. They
were surrounded by a grove or wood of acacias, which rendered the
situation exceedingly pleasant, as well as convenient. Hither, and
to many other similar fountains which are found in these plains, the
inhabitants of Litakun bring their cattle during the dry season,
and having erected temporary huts, take up their abode till the
country nearer the town has regained its verdure. At this time,
however, we found no one residing here: and as I had noticed that
the ponds were frequented by numerous flocks of water-fowl, I
determined to halt a day, in hope of being able to add some new
birds to my collection, |

The latitude of this spot, was found to be 27°. 9’.21”.* While
watching till the star, from which this observation was taken, should
come to the meridian, I discovered that we had a day too much in
our reckoning; and that instead of this, as we supposed, being

* At Sikkloniani, on the 10th of July, 1812, the observed altitude of « Centauri,
was 57, 5. 57".

1812. DATES RECTIFIED BY ASTRONOMY. 343

Saturday, it could not be more than Friday. For, as I now observed
that the moon was still to the east of the planet Venus, which could
‘not have been the case, had this been, as we reckoned, the eleventh
of the month, those two bodies would not, according to the ‘ Astro-
nomical Ephemeris,’ be in conjunction till the morning of the
eleventh. This error of my journal, lay within a small compass;
as I knew from my astronomical memoranda, that my reckoning was
right on the preceding Monday.

From this circumstance it may be remarked, that a traveller
acquainted with but a few of the stars, may always check a false
date in his journal, by recording in it from time to time, the situ-
ation of the moon as compared with a known star to which it is ap-
proaching, or from which it is receding. And though he should then
have no astronomical almanack, to compare his observations with,
these will be equally useful for the purpose; as the comparison can
be made, either by himself or by others, at any future time. In-
deed, so admirably applicable are the motions of the heavenly bodies
to the exact measurement of the course of time, whether for periods
of years or centuries, or for days or minutes, that, if we could
suppose an astronomer, at any moment of time, to know neither
the century, the year, the month, nor the day, he might read all
this in the face of the starry heavens, in the legible characters of
endless multitudes of glorious luminaries which revolve and shine,
the great unerring dial of eternity.

That a person whose attention was constantly occupied by a
great variety of affairs, should mistake a day, cannot appear sur-
prising ; but that the whole party of eleven persons, should fall into
the same error, is more extraordinary. There were several of my
people who, by means of notched tallies which they always carried
about them, kept a careful account of each day, by the cutting of
an additional notch. When this tally was thus filled, the amount
was transferred to another, on which certain notches represented
weeks, or months. In this manner they were generally able to mark
accurately the lapse of time for short periods, and sometimes even
for several years. But I do not think that any of the aborigines of

344 HOTTENTOT ALMANACK.— GLOOMY SILENCE. 10, 11 Jury,

Southern Africa, excepting the Hottentots of the Colony, who
perhaps have borrowed the idea from others, ever keep a similar
account.

Among my men, Speelman was regarded by his companions as
the grand almanack-maker, and was often referred to, for the day of
the week: and I have sometimes, on putting to him questions relat-
ing to the past occurrences of the journey, been surprised at the
accuracy with which he was by these means enabled to recollect when
they happened. If he was in doubt, he would pull out his ‘ almanack,’
which was always secured to some part of his dress by a smali thong
of leather, and after examining his notches, tell me correctly, or
very nearly, the length of time which had passed. It is not meant
to be asserted that these tallies were infallible; or that they were in
any light extraordinary, unless when viewed as the effort of an
untutored Hottentot.

11th. During the whole of the preceding evening and _ this
morning, I remarked an unusual and melancholy silence prevailing
among my people: the sound of the fiddle was never once heard ;
and conversation and laughter no longer enlivened the fireside. As
I sat alone in my waggon, I might have fancied that all my men had
deserted me: when I came to the fire, it seemed from this strange
stillness, as if a funeral were about to take place, and that we were
now going to commit to the earth, the bodies of some of our com-
panions who had just been murdered. I looked around to discover
the cause, but saw nothing which could inform me; no one appeared
unwell, or to have met with any accident; all the party were
together ; all my cattle were safe; all the wheels were entire. Still,
it was certain that this gloominess and dejection could not exist
unless there had happened some serious misfortune to occasion so
sudden a change from mirth to melancholy. But none of my people
seemed willing to disclose to me the distressing secret ; and, expect-
ing some intelligence fatal to my expedition, I was almost afraid to
ask for information.

At length, by waiting some time at their fire, I discovered by a
few short remarks which they occasionally made to each other, that —

1812. THE FISCAL-BIRD.— THE VARIEGATED GROUSE. 345

all their rations of tobacco were exhausted, and that not a pipe had
been smoked since yesterday morning! From the ill-foreboding
state of mind which appearances had occasioned me, it may easily
be imagined that this was an agreeable discovery; and although their.
rations would not be due till the Monday following, I gladly infringed
the regulations, and gave each an extra piece enough to last till that
day: and finding by their representations, that a larger weekly supply,
would add greatly to their comfort, I promised for the future, to in-
crease their rations by two inches more. Such are highly important
affairs, when we have to deal with Hottentots.

Immediately, their voices were heard again; and loud talking,
laughing, joking, whistling, and fiddling, enlivened our home once
more.

Various sorts of birds were found to inhabit these groves, and
frequent the fountains ; but all excepting two, were already in my col-
lection. A species of Lanius*, or Butcher-bird, was now shot for the
first time, though probably to be found within the Colony. Several
kinds of Lanius, especially those having a plumage in which black
and white are the predominant colors, are called Fiscaal-vogels (F iscal-
bird) by the colonists. Their notes are very loud and powerful, and
their sound has the nature of a whistle rather than of a bird’s singing.
The Bachapins call them by the name of Lekékko.

I here also added to my collection, a small and very pretty
species of grouse, and, I believe, hitherto undescribed. + It ap-
peared to have a great affinity to the little ‘ Namaqua grouse ;’ but
its feet were furnished with only three toes, and it had not the two
long acute tail-feathers which distinguish that sort. The upper parts
of its body were variegated with white, brown, yellow, and black ;

* Very much resembling Lanius collaris, from which it appeared to vary only by a
white mark over each eye.

+ Tetrao (Pterocles) variegatus, B. Supra albo, fusco, flavo, nigroque, varius: subtus
ferrugineus. Remiges nigra, rachidibus albis. Cauda brevis zqualis, cum dorso con-
color. Pedes lanuginosi ochracei, tridactyli, digitis longitudinaliter auctis. Unques nigri.
Irides angustz ochraceee. Lingua brevis acuminata. Sexus vestitu non dignoscendi.

VOL. II. YY

346 BIRDS AT SIKKLONIANI. 11, 12 Jury,

beneath it was of a ferrugineous, or rust-color. The wing-feathers
were black, with a white midrib. The tail was short and of the same
color as the back ; the feet, covered with an ochre-colored wool; the
toes, edged with a narrow membrane; the nails, black; and the
irides, narrow and yellow, or of the color of ‘ Roman ochre.’ The
colors of both sexes were alike. This bird, which was seen no
where but in the Bichuana countries, frequents the fountains, only
to drink ; but at other times it is an inhabitant of the open plains.

The purple hoopoe * was also procured here, and afterwards at
Litakun; which gave me an opportunity of learning its singular
name, Nuenjanni Chikuru (Rhinoceros-bird) ; though I could get no
clear explanation of the reason why it was so called. The Egyptian
goose + was also shot at Sikkloniani; together with the crimson-
billed duck {, here called Stharri; the large coot §; and the armed
plover. || This last is a very noisy bird; by night, as well as by day,
uttering a sharp cry which was fancied to articulate the words
Brothér Kéévit ! Brothér Keéévit! Its name in the Sichuana language,
is, Létdjan (Letaryan). The groves around this spring abound also
in pintadoes. :

In the neighbourhood of this water, there resided an old
Bachapin, who, as soon as he heard of our arrival, paid us, or rather
our pot, a visit, which lasted as long as we stopped at the place. His
miserable, dirty, and meagre appearance bespoke the same degree
of poverty which was exhibited by the two Bachapins whom we met
on first entering their land. Like them, he too was herdsman; not
to the late, but to the present, chief of Litakun.

I could not but be struck by this coincidence ; and as similar
observations were afterwards made, it formed the subject of further
inquiry, in order to gain some satisfactory explanation. Such ex-
planations are not easily obtained among this people; and this dif-
ficulty is occasioned, partly by the questions being unusual and

* Upupa purpurea, B. + Anas Atgyptiaca. + Anas erythrorhyncha.
§ Vol. I. p. 263. || Charadrius armatus, B.

1812. EQUALITY. — THE RICH AND THE POOR. 347

above their comprehension, and partly by their little regard for truth,
and a very general inclination for misleading others; and simple as
the case may appear, it was not to be understood till I had gained
clearer notions of the state of society in this country.

I had hitherto been accustomed among the Bushmen, to see all
men on an equality ; that is, that of the individuals of a kraal, no one
possessed more property than another, or, at least, there was not so
much difference as to occasion them to make a distinction between
rich and poor. But those tribes are, as I think the preceding parts
of this journal prove, in the lowest degree of human polity and social
existence ; and in such only, can all men be on a level with respect
to property: or in other words, a nation, to be equal, must, even in
the aggregate, possess no property at all; which is precisely the case
with the Bushman nation.

But the state of society, or, I might almost begin to use the word
civilization, among the Bichuana tribes, has reached a much higher
point; and, from the possession of property, the distinction of men
into richer or poorer classes has followed as the natural consequence.
Those who have riches, have also, it seems, power; and the word
kosi, as I have before noticed, has a double acceptation, denoting
either a chief or a rich man. The various means by which this
ascendancy is gained, is a point well understood by more polished
nations ; and I saw no reason for doubting that the Bichuanas pursue,
in their humble and petty way, exactly the same; and add to them,
that of plundering the adjoining countries. According to this scheme
of society, the chief will always be the richest man; for once arrived
at supreme authority, he holds within his own hands the power of
obtaining property. With this view it is, that corporal punishment,
excepting in cases of atrocious crime, is commuted for fine; and
that confiscation is often superadded to corporal punishment ; and.
that, in some instances, life and property are both forfeited together :
I am however led to believe, that the Bachapins do not often punish
with death.

But, to return from this digression: Mattivi possesses numerous

¥¥LZ

348 POWER MISUSED. — NEWS FROM LITAKUN. 11 Jury,

herds of cattle; these are pastured in various parts of the country,
and furnish employment for a considerable number of the poorer
class of his people. They.receive for their service, nothing more
than mere sustenance, and, as it would appear, barely that; being
allowed only a certain portion of the milk, and left to supply them-
selves with meat by occasional hunting. The produce of this, pre-
carious as it is, is lessened by a law or custom, by which they are
obliged to send the breast of every piece of game to the chief; and
it was said, though there may be some doubt of the information,
that the infraction of this law is a capital offence.

This class of the inhabitants is greatly oppressed, not only by a
despotic, but by an aristocratic power also: for, that authority which
the chief exercises over the késies or richer order, these exercise over
their servants and immediate dependants, to so unjust a degree that
they will not suffer them to acquire any property whatever; and
should any of this illfated class become, by means however honest,
possessed of a cow or a few goats, he would be a rare instance of
good fortune or favor, if his master did not take them from him.
This tyrannical conduct the kési would justify by telling him that a
muchinka or a molldla (a poor-man, or servant) had no need of cattle,
as he had only to mind his duty in attending those of his superior,
and he might always be certain of receiving as much milk and food
as would be necessary for his support.

This poor herdsman, being old, and probably less able to undergo
the fatigues of hunting, or rather, of approaching the game by
creeping unseen towards it, had seldom been so fortunate as to kill
any; and his principal dependance was on searching for wild roots.
Our halting at this place gave him several plentiful meals; and
though we must have appeared much more strange to him, than he
to us, yet he sat by our fire and mixed with the party, with as much
ease as if he had been at his own home.

He informed me that Mattivi had long been expecting me at
Litakun, and had therefore postponed the intended grand hunt,
that he might not be absent at the time of my arrival; but that his

1812. MOLLEMMI. — A WOMAN AND HER TWO CHILDREN. 349

people were exceedingly unwilling to make any further delay, as
they, and even Mattivi, believed the report, that I had finally re-
turned to the Colony. But Serrtkitu the present chief’s uncle and
brother to Mulihaban, was the principal adviser that they should
still continue to wait for me. For, having been to Klaarwater in the
interval of my journey to Graaffreynet, he had seen my waggons
there, and was then assured by Muchinka that it was my fixed in-
tention to visit Mattivi. He left with him injunctions to use every
argument to persuade me to come as soon as possible; as he had
many things to say to me. Our visitor further added that Mollémmi*,
(for that was the name of Mattivi’s elder brother,) was very impatient
to accompany me back to Cape Town.

By such information I was enabled to prepare myself for the
first interview with the chief, and to consider my answers, and the
most judicious mode of proceeding, so as to undeceive him without
exposing the plan of my future movements ; for I had the satisfac-
tion to perceive that he knew nothing of my intention to travel
farther northward.

Not long after the herdsman, came a woman with her two children,
and also took up her abode with us during our stay at Sikkloniani.
Her eldest child was a girl about six years old; the other was much
younger. She appeared to be about thirty, and told us that she had
long been deserted by her husband, who left her that he might take
another wife. Since that time she had wandered about with her two
children from place to place, making any hut. her quarters as long
as its owners were willing, or able, to share their food with her.
To subsist on charity among the Bichuanas, is a melancholy depend-
ance; but this instance serves, at least, to prove the existence of this
virtue, though hospitality, which Hottentots extend to a fault among
themselves, and often exercise towards other tribes, forms, it would
seem, no part of the moral duty of men of this nation.

Seana eee

* This name was sometimes, though less frequently, pronounced Méllemo or
Mollema, with the accent on the first syllable.

350 MATERNAL AFFECTION.— KAROSS AND KOBO. 11, 12 Jury,

Although this woman’s appearance did not indicate want of
necessary food; yet it certainly did not prove that she had been
living in plenty. She was talkative, though sedate; and the freedom
and mature confidence with which the daughter often held a con-
versation with the mother, were remarkable: yet there was, in the
child’s manner, nothing disrespectful. She seemed to treat them
with all maternal affection ; and at night, as she lay down on the
bare ground to sleep, she wrapped them up with her under her own
kobo.

I may here remark that kaross and kobo are but two words
for the same thing; the former belonging to the Hottentot, and the
latter to the Sichuana, language. They signify the skin-cloak, already
described; and may be used indifferently ; although the latter is
more proper to express the Bichuana cloak, which differs in fashion a
little from the other, as it does also in materials; the kaross beg
generally made of sheep skin with the wool on, and the kobo, either
of the fur of various small animals, or of some larger skin made into
leather. The latter sort, called k6bo-kaama, because most commonly
made of the skin of the kaama antelope, is therefore more properly
intended for summer; but the fur-cloaks, called kdsi-kobo, being very
expensive to purchase, or very difficult to procure, on account of the
number of animals required in making it, poverty obliges the greater
part of the nation to wear their leathern cloaks at all seasons, though
they are considerably colder than those of fur. *

This poor creature possessed, she said, nothing on earth, but the
clothes she wore: and, from the kindness which she testified towards
her children, she certainly would not have allowed them to remain
almost naked, if she could have obtained another cloak. She was how-
ever, besides her cloak, the owner of a pitsa (péetsar) or earthen pot ;
and which she had brought with her as a very significant emblem of

* Of the kinds of kobo here mentioned, that made of fur is represented in plates
7 ard 8; that of leather, in plate 10, and in the 21st, 31st, and 36th vignettes. ‘The
sheep-skin /avoss may be seen in the vignette at page 1.

1812. AN OSTRICH SHOT. 351

her wants, and of the object of her visit. I ordered the men to supply
her with meat, although we had little to spare ; and it was not long
before her pot was on the fire, doing its duty. The children were
lively and in good spirits; and it was most probably to the sight of
this, that the talkativeness of the girl and her mother, was to be
attributed.

12th. This morning an ostrich having been observed feeding
among the trees, one of the Hottentots crept under the bushes un-
perceived towards it, sufficiently near to shoot it. My men now
obtained a supply of their favorite ornament, and each one decked
himself with a white plume in his hat.

These birds are in general found to be more difficult of ap-
proach than the antelopes; which may be occasioned by the greater
height of their eye above the ground, enabling them to see over all
the shrubs of the plain. This was an old male, and, on account of
its feathers being dirty and much damaged, was said to be a ‘ nest-
bird’ or one which had been sitting on the eggs. The small feathers
which cover the wings were undamaged and of a fine black; but
these were not prized by the Hottentots.

‘In weight and size, the leg of this ostrich, including the flesh of
the thigh, was really surprising when viewed as the leg of a bird: it
was as much as one man could carry. The flesh was dark-colored,
and resembled beef; and was exceedingly coarse and tough, though
tolerably well-tasted. It is sometimes, as the Hottentots affirm, of
a disagreeable oily flavor; but I could not here distinguish any taste
of that nature. The stomach is considered to be the best part of the
whole bird, being both tender and delicate; but my men, who were
acquainted with this circumstance, took care to eat up the whole of
it before they gave me this piece of information.

Our provisions being nearly consumed, this bird came very
opportunely in our way, and besides, enabled me, by giving the poor
Bachapin woman one of the legs, to keep her pot employed for
several days after our departure.

We were now within a very moderate day’s-journey of Litakun ;

352 SELFISHNESS.— HALTING AT LOBUTSANI. 12, 13 Juy,

but as I conceived it would be more convenient to arrive there as early
in the day as possible, so that there might be sufficient time to have
an interview with the Chief, and make some arrangements before the
night came on, I determined to advance this day no nearer than the
last water on this side of the town.

When we had travelled two miles, we halted for a few minutes
to fill the water-casks at a shallow pond of clear water surrounded by
acacias, a fountain similar to Sikkloniéni; having been told that the
spring at which we were to unyoke was slightly brackish, yet not
unwholesome. At the distance of a mile beyond this, we came to
another similar pond ; and, as I depended upon Muchunka, who was
well acquainted with the country, and assured me that this was the
only water until we reached Litakun, I halted here for the night,
though we had not proceeded more than three miles. But on the
following day I discovered that we might have advanced six miles
farther, as this would have brought us to a plentiful rivulet of
excellent water, within four miles of the town. |

What this man’s reason might be for wishing me to halt at this
place instead of going forward, as I should have done, to the rivulet,
I never could learn; nor why, after leaving Little Klibbolikhonni, he
led me in a northerly direction down the Kruman river, when he
knew that the direct and usual course would have taken us to the
source of it, at the Klibbolikhonni Spring, in the bearing of north-
east. Yet, that it was some selfish motive, I have no doubt; al-
though my suspicions as to his want of fidelity were not awakened
at this time. It is to be feared that every traveller who shall spend
among these African tribes time enough to learn their true character;
will find, to his trouble and vexation, that the only principle by which
they are guided is selfishness ; or rather, that they have not the fixed
inflexible sptiaeiplel of honor to restrain them on swerving — the
path of rectitude. 2

The place at which we had halted was called Lobitsdni, if my
interpreter’s word can be relied on. The air was now, as it had been:
during the whole day, extremely cold; its chilling effect being increased

|) Cn SENSATIONS ON APPROACHING LITAKUN. 353

by a strong easterly wind; the thermometer not having risen during
the day higher than 582°, (11°7 R.), and remaining all night at 43°,
(4°8 R.).

13th. It was my intention to fix my residence at Litakun for
some time, as the most favourable situation for studying the character
of the people and observing their customs. An abode there of
several weeks, would, I conceived, be highly advantageous in pre-
paring me for the journey onwards, and would enable me to gain
much more experience, and in much less time, than could be expected
while travelling hastily through the other parts of the country, where
we should, only occasionally, see a few straggling individuals; if a
judgement could be formed from the number which we had hitherto
met. We should, by continuing to travel every day, soon reach, indeed,
the farthest extremity of their country ; but it would be long before
I had made myself acquainted with their manners and customs, or
had acquired that practical knowledge and experience, which I deemed
essential to my safety and success. It appeared, therefore, to be
accordant to reason, that I should make myself tolerably well ac-
quainted with one tribe or nation, before I proceeded to the next.

At an earlier hour than usual, we began to yoke the oxen to the
waggons; and it seemed as if some new sensation was felt at our near
approach to a large and populous town. I could evidently perceive
that the thought of terminating this days-journey in a scene so
different from all which we had hitherto beheld, roused in my people
some strong feelings ; and though they were not apparently those of
fear, yet I have little doubt from subsequent experience, that, had
not Muchunka been with us to inspire the party with confidence in
the peaceable disposition of his countrymen, I should have found
great difficulty in persuading the whole of my men to advance
another step beyond Lobutsani.

This being the day for receiving their rations of brandy and
tobacco, they requested to have them before we set out, as it was not
likely that I should have leisure for giving them at the usual hour
in the evening. With this wish I most readily complied; not

VOL. Il. Laz,

354 ON THE VIEW OF A FOREIGN LAND. 13 Jury,

only because I had resolved to conceal from the Bichuanas all
knowledge of my having any intoxicating drink in the waggon,
but because I had lately witnessed how necessary tobacco was to
amuse, if I may so express it, the minds of my men, and imagined
that the exhilarating power of the brandy would be on this day
especially useful.

There was among all my party, a certain degree of curiosity to
see this long-talked-of town, in praise of which they had heard so
much; and this enlivened them, and perhaps, during its continuance,
counteracted their timidity. I need not describe my own sensations
at so interesting a point of my journey ; they may easily be conceived
by those who have ever felt a desire to visit a foreign land that they
may view and contemplate the human character in some new light ;
and that, by tracing the gradations and shades of notions and ideas,
through the various customs of different nations, and even to their
first feeble source in uncivilized life, they may better understand
themselves, and learn by the comparison, to form a juster estimate of
that society which more immediately surrounds them, and to which
they more properly belong. Those will feel as I felt; and will find
in their own heart, a ready apology for all those stratagems by which
I endeavoured to draw my men into a consent to accompany me to
nations still more remote, and still less known.

Our course this day, was over the same level country which I
have called the Great Plains of Litékun, a denomination which does
not express too much, as our journey through that part only which
lay on this side of the town, was, according to my estimation, not less
than forty-seven miles, extending in one unbroken expanse. They
still preserved their sandy and grassy character, though occasionally
varied with bushes; and were not without the pleasing relief of
frequent clumps of acacias. ‘The lime-stone rock, which, in some
places, of a white and in others of a blackish color, had been here and
there observable during nearly the whole distance, now began to
disappear beneath the surface, and sandstone and granite rocks, a kind
not before noticed in the Transgariepine, introduced a change in the

1812. THE GREAT PLAINS OF LITAKUN. 355

geological appearance of that part of the plain in which the town was
situated. :
Agreeably to the hypothesis which I have ventured to assume
and which has already been explained *, these rocks must rest upon
the great limestone floor; unless we adopt another, which, though it
would suppose the limestone to be the superincumbent stratum, does
not contradict the assertion that the whole country is geologically a
primitive region ; and although no favorable opportunities for ascer-
taining the. fact, presented themselves, yet it is not impossible that
the granite may protrude itself through this limestone. In either
case, it still remains a fact, as far at least as my observation extends,
that the limestone never rises above the surface, and that wherever
hills or mountains occur, they are found to be either of clay-slate, or
of sand-stone: none which I examined were of granite, this sub-
stance having been met with only in a comparatively small proportion.
As we advanced, the surface of the plain, which had hitherto
‘been sandy, became more rocky. At first the rocks were of lime-
stone, though of a blackish color ; as we proceeded, they changed to
a red sandstone ; and farther, they were composed of a coarse granite.
In this part of our days-journey, the pretty flowering shrub
already-noticed + grew in greater abundance, and tempted me to halt
a few minutes to lay some luxuriant specimens into the press ; an
operation which at other times had always been deferred till the
waggons arrived at the night’s station; but in the present case there
could be no expectation of having sufficient leisure at the usual hour.
At the distance of six miles from Lobutsani, we crossed to the
right bank of a rivulet which was running in a plentiful stream;
and which was said to join itself to the following. At two miles and
a quarter beyond this, we came to a larger stream, which our guide.
called the Litékun river, though distant from that town a mile and a.

* At page 311. of this volume.
+ The Passerina ? mentioned at page 341.
VA Ad

356 APPROACH TO, AND FIRST VIEW OF, 13 Juzy,

half; but which I afterwards found to be the highest and principal
branch of the Moshewa (Méshéwa), and the river which flows by the
original town of Litakun now deserted and in ruins. Its banks were
steep; and it was not till after some delay in searching for a prac-
ticable road for the waggons, that they could be dragged safely to
the opposite bank. The bed of this river, or more properly, rivulet,
was but a few yards wide, and of this the water occupied but a small
part ; yet, as it flows constantly during the whole year, it is regarded
by the natives as a considerable stream, though much inferior to the
Kruman.

As we approached the hills which partly enclose the valley in
which Litakun stands, the ground became more uneven and rocky.
A number of oxen, attended by several herdsmen, and a few strag-
gling inhabitants, showed us that we were not far from the town;
while some large mokaala trees, and every bush around, indicated, by
the unsparing manner in which they had been lopped and cut for
fuel, that we were in the immediate neighbourhood of a populous
place. Many narrow foot-paths leading forward in one general
direction, pointed out our way, and began to awaken my attention
to the unexpected magnitude of the town; for as yet I had not
been able to gain any distinct notion of its size: every person of
whom I had asked questions on this head, denominating it a very
large kraal, but being unable to give me any other more defined
idea: so that my expectations as to its extent were very much below
what I actually found it to be.

At length, the most gratifying sight which my journey had yet af-
forded, presented itself; and part of the Town of Litékun now appeared
before me. As we advanced nearer, and gained higher ground,
the multitude of houses which continued rising into view as far
as I could see, excited astonishment; while their novel form and
character seized my whole attention, as my eager eyes surveyed and
examined their outline though yet at a distance. They occupied,
in detached groups, a portion of the plain, not less than a mile and
a half in diameter. The situation of the town appeared open,

1812. THE TOWN OF LITAKUN. 357

though surrounded by hills. The spaces which intervened between
the houses, were sparingly covered with low bushes and a half-
trampled herbage. A few mokaalas were here and there to be seen
standing amidst the dwellings; but excepting these, no other tree
was visible in any quarter. The usual appearance of Bachapin
houses is exhibited in the annexed engraving.

yl ' f Kia > ‘n iy

all

CHAPTER XIV.

RECEPTION AT LITAKUN.

Wuewn the waggons had nearly reached some of the first houses,
which lay irregularly scattered on the skirts of the town, and our
approach was discovered, many of the inhabitants flocked round us,
and the crowd increased at every step. All seemed highly pleased at
our arrival, and moved forward by the side of the waggons, with a
briskness and alacrity which seemed to show that they regarded
my coming as a public holiday, or as a. great event which rejoiced
them the more as their expectations of seeing me had so long been
disappointed.

As for myself, I scarcely once thought of the rest of my party,
and seemed to have entirely forgotten that I had either waggons or
attendants belonging to me; so completely was my attention absorbed
by the interesting scene before me, and by the novelty of all which I
beheld. The good humour which beamed in the countenances of the

13 Jury, 1812. ENTRANCE INTO LITAKUN. 359

crowd, reflected a sunshine upon every object, and from the first
instant, banished every uneasy sensation which the uncertainty of our
reception might have created. With the recollection of the vexations
and disappointments which had so long attended my progress into
the Interior, I felt as though I had, by advancing thus far, gained a
triumph over the numerous difficulties which must always beset and
oppose every traveller who shall attempt to explore these regions,
alone and unsupported, cheered by no friend, upheld by no aid.
- While surveying with rapidity the new character of this bustling
crowd of Africans, and admiring the social appearance and magnitude
of a town, so different in every respect from those of Europe, I caught
a spirit of enthusiasm which seemed like some fascinating power
' emanating from the strange objects which every where surrounded
me, and excited feelings which rendered my first view of the town of
Litakun, a moment, which, in its peculiar gratification and delight,
was never surpassed by any other event of the journey. Accustomed,
as I had been, for so many months, to the sight of only the frail
moveable huts of Hottentots and Bushmen, I rejoiced at finding
myself at length arrived among a nation whose dwellings claimed the
name of buildings. Although the weather was cold, yet the sun
shone bright and shed animation upon the scene and enlivened the
appearance of these dwellings, as much as the arrival of the white
stranger, seemed to lend a pleasing active curiosity to their gazing
inhabitants.

Muchunka, who was in high spirits, led the way as our guide
through the labyrinth of houses. He had equipped himself with a gun
and cartridge-box on this occasion, that he might display before his
countrymen some marks of superiority ; and of which he was not a
little proud. My own men, of whom three were mounted on horses
and the rest on foot, kept closely together; while I myself sat in
front of the great waggon, by the side of Philip, and whom I was
glad to see managing his long whip without the least symptom of
being confused by the presence of so large a throng. My attention
was too much occupied another way, to allow me to observe whether
all of my party were equally at their ease; but I suspected that they

360 ARRIVAL AT THE DWELLING OF THE CHIEF. 13 Jury,

were not. He, indeed, had, some years before, made a journey to the
Kruman at the time when the Bachapins were residing in a town on
that river; but to all the others, this country and its inhabitants,
were not less new, than they were to myself.

The buildings were nowhere ranged in the form of streets, nor
placed according to any regular plan ; but were scattered about, in
some places far apart, and in others standing so closely together, as
not to admit a passage for my waggons between them.*

I had desired Muchunka to eonduct us at once to the dwelling
of the Chief. As we proceeded towards the middle of the town and
the waggons drove past their dwellings, the families ran out to get a
sight of us ; the women half-astonished, the children half-afraid: but
the men immediately quitted their employment and added them-
selves to the countless crowd by which we were already surrounded,
and almost impeded. Yet, they conducted themselves without the
least disorderly behaviour or boisterous noise: nor did they, though
naturally most importunate beggars of tobacco, attempt at this time
to interrupt our progress by any solicitations of the kind. One man
who was walking by the side of the waggon, once, as he looked up in
my face, pronounced the word miichiko (tobacco); but no others
followed his example as I took no notice of it, being fearful, from the
experience I had already gained, that had I complied with his request,
the whole crowd would soon have been in an uproar; and the only
word to have been distinguished, would have been, muchuko.

At length we arrived before Mattivi’s house: it differed in no
respect from other houses, nor did its appearance exhibit the least
superiority, or indicate it to be the dwelling of the Chief of so ne
a town, and the ruler of a whole tribe.

I waited a minute, expecting that the Chief himself, or some

* The jfth plate will give some idea of the appearance of the town of Litakun, on
entering it from the west, and looking northward. ‘The various objects seen in this view,
will be found fully explained in the two last chapters of this volume. On the left, is
represented a man carrying a parasol made of ostrich-feathers; and in the middle of ie
picture, are the figures of two women and a child. The BES trees are mokaalas,
camelthorns.

1612. SERRAKUTU. — FIRST INTERVIEW WITH MATTIVI. 361

person in authority who might have been in readiness, would have
come forward to meet me; but as I could distinguish in the multitude
no person of this description, all being dressed alike, I ordered my
men to loose the oxen from the yoke, and drive them and the other
cattle back to the open space on the outside of the town.

The crowd which had collected round us, was now so much
increased by the people who flocked from all parts of the town to
view us, that I was soon enclosed in sog@reat a multitude, that every
object beyond them was excluded from my sight. Muchunka, as my
interpreter, remained close by my side; but my Hottentots were so
intermingled with the natives, that I saw little of them after the
oxen had been unyoked.

In this situation I found that I was surrounded by most of the
principal men of Litakun. Among the foremost and most loquacious
was the Chief’s uncle Serrakitu (Serrakootoo) the brother of Muli-
haban, and the first who was introduced to me: for here, the pecu-
liarity of the case required that the practice of civilized countries
should be reversed; and instead of introducing the stranger to the
chief personage, it was necessary to point out this one to the stranger,
who, otherwise, could not have distinguished him from the rest of
the crowd ; though, on the other hand, there was little necessity for
indicating to him who was the stranger.

After waiting about five minutes, a man who stood close by my
side, was without much ceremony brought to my notice as Mattvi,
the Chief of the Bachapins. Whether he had stood there the whole
time, or had but just forced his way through the crowd, I was too
much engaged to have noticed; but in his peculiar silence and re-
served manners he formed a striking contrast to his uncle Serrakitu,
who now openly exulted in the superiority of his judgment in having,
contrary to the opinion of the Chief himself and of every one else,
persisted in assuring them that, notwithstanding the report of my
having returned to the colony, I should certainly visit their town.
This person, therefore more especially, seemed pleased at my coming,
and placed himself so far forward in the conversation, that had I

VOL. II. SA

362 MATTIVI’S PERSON AND DRESS: 13 Jury,

been left to my own decision, I should not have hesitated in ad-
dressing him as the Chief.

Mattivi in outward appearance differed in no respect from those
of the crowd by whom he was surrounded. Compared with the rest
of his nation, he was in stature of an intermediate proportion, and
of a good figure; neither tall nor short, neither thin nor corpulent.
In his countenance there was little expression of openness, or of
that good-natured easy disposition which might be seen in the
features of several who stood near him. He wore an ordinary
leathern kobo or cloak, and was ornamented round the neck with a
thick necklace of twisted sinews, one string of large beads alternately
white and purple, and several small cords from which, conformably
to general custom, a common knife of Bichuaéna manufacture * was
suspended. He was barefooted, and wore nothing on the head;
but his hair was plastered with a thick covering of grease mixed with
sibilo which caused it to shine with perfect metallic lustre. On his
left arm, above the elbow, were five broad rings of ivory.+ His age
appeared to be above forty; but it is possible that it might not have
been quite so much; as his grave and sedate deportment on the one
hand, and his uncle’s talkativeness on the other, seemed to bring
their ages nearer together than, it may be supposed, they really were.
A thicker beard than commonly seen among his countrymen, who
often have none at all, assisted much in producing these impressions.

He stood perfectly still, with his hands before him folded in
each other, and with his eyes directed rather downwards, but now
and then looking up and showing that he was attending to all that
was said. He spoke very little or almost nothing; and left the con-
versation to Serrakitu and his brothers. These were pointed out to
me; for to say, introduced, would create an idea of some form or
ceremony, and give a very erroneous impression of the whole affair.
The brothers who were present on this occasion, were Mollémmi,
MolaalY¥, and Mahira. Mollémmit, whose name has already been

* Such as may be seen represented by the upper figure of the 39th vignette.
+ See the 38th vignette.

1812. HIS BROTHERS. — THE INTERPRETER. 363

‘mentioned, was a tall thin man, of a countenance most remarkable
for its long and disproportioned features. ‘The mother of him and
of his elder brother Mattivi, was a Kora; but the others were the
sons of a Bichuana woman. Moldli (or Molaald) was a fine well-
proportioned young man of a genuine Bichuana countenance and
complexion, approaching somewhat to the negro. The younger
brother, Mahira, was remarkably handsome as a black, and seemed
to be about twenty years of age. He was of fine proportions, and
in limbs and figure, not unlike the well known statue of Antinoiis,
though somewhat fatter. On his feet he wore sandals *, and his head
was bound round, not inelegantly, with a leathern handkerchief,
nearly in the manner which has been shown in a former plate. +

The conversation which took place between us, amounted to but
little; being much interrupted by passing through the mouth of an
interpreter. This man seemed quite at home among these people ;
and, being personally known to most of them, who called him
familiarly by his name, he often continued the conversation for his
own pleasure, quite forgetting his official duties, and leaving me to
guess, by their looks and gestures, or by a single word which now
and then, though rarely, caught my ear, the purport of what was
said between them.

It must not be supposed, because I have called him my inter-
preter, that he performed his duty with much regularity ; or that he
had any very strict notions of the nature of his situation. His ideas
on this subject were the most vague ; and he seemed to think, that
by giving me occasionally a little of the information, he acquitted
himself of his obligation. Neither must it be imagined, that at this
introductory meeting either the Chief or myself, made many com-

_plimentary speeches to each other, or conducted ourselves with much
courtly formality: to relate such incidents in this manner, might
perhaps, set off a traveller’s story to much advantage, and excite a
pleasing wonderment in his readers; but the inflexible rule of truth

* Figures of the Bachapin sandal are given at the end of this chapter.
+ That of the ‘ portrait of a Kora.’ Plate 10. of the first volume.

3a 2

364 THE ASSEMBLY. 13 Jury,

will not allow him thus to decorate his narrative, while conscience
whispers that he ought to tell a plainer tale.

At this time the principal remarks which were made by the
assembly, were merely to inform me that they had for a length of
time been expecting me at Litakun: to which I replied, that as I had
long felt a strong desire to become acquainted with them, it was
never my intention to return home till I had visited their town.
Serrakitu rejoimed, that I spoke very rightly, and he was glad to
hear me say so. As Mattivi seemed so little inclined to speak, I put
myself on a level with him, by merely saying to him that I was come
to see him: to which he replied by one or two words expressive of
approbation and assent. Muchunka& was much pleased in pointing
out to me the different relations of Mattivi, who were standing by
us: he spoke to every one in his usual and animated manner, and
might have been taken for one of the most important personages,
if men’s importance were to be measured by their confidence. Yet
it was not the confidence of presumption: it was not in the smallest
degree wanting in due respect towards them.

Our interview had thus lasted about ten minutes, when the
Chief, addressing himself to me, said he wished that we should sit
down. We were then standing near my waggons, in an open space
between the houses. I expressed my desire to do as he wished; but
remained on my feet till he should first be seated. Seeing however
that he waited for me, I sat myself down upon the ground, in the
African manner; and immediately he did the same, placing himself
opposite to me; while the different members of his family, and the
késies or subordinate chieftains *, formed round us a circle two or
three deep ; the rest of the people still continuing standing, as close
as it was possible for them to crowd together. The engraving at the
head of the chapter (page 358.) will give some idea of this scene.

The Chief still preserving his taciturnity, Serrakitu assumed

* There use the word chieftain, as the nearest to my meaning; although to some
persons, it may possibly seem to express too much: but the sense in which it is to be
understood may easily be discovered from my explanation of the word sos?, at pages
272. 347. and 348.

1812. INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS TO THE CHIEF. 365

the prominent station, and made himself the principal speaker ;
although Mollémmi also, took a share in the debate. The younger
brothers and sons, though attentive to all which was passing, re-
mained respectfully silent. The surrounding spectators seldom at-
tempted to speak; but the kosies who formed the sitting circle,
occasionally addressed themselves to my interpreter. He, whether
to save himself trouble, or because what they said was not spoken
directly to me, left the greatest part of their remarks uninterpreted.
It appeared that they were questioning him on various subjects re-
lating to my journey ; such as the length of time since my departure
from Cape Town, which place they called Mékaapa; the reason of
my. subsequent return into the colony; the quantity of tobacco.and
beads which I had brought with me; the object of my visit to
Litakun; and others of the same nature. What answers were
made to all these I know not; but he afterwards gave me to un-
derstand that his replies were conformable to that which he had
always heard stated by my Hottentots.

Addressing myself to the Chief, I told him, that my object in
coming into his country, was to form an acquaintance with him and
his people, whom I had heard so favorably spoken of at Karrikammé
(Klaarwater): that so much had been said in praise of Litakun, that
I had been very desirous of seeing his town: that I wished at
the same time to hunt the wild animals, that I might be enabled to
take home the skins of them to my own country: that I intended to
stop with the Bachapins long enough to learn their language, so that
I might be able to tell them myself many things which I wished
them to know, and that we might by these means understand each
other’s sentiments more clearly than they could be explained through
an interpreter: and that I hoped we should thus become true friends,
that I might at my return home, report of the Bachapins that they
were a good people, and that on hearing this, other white-men would
_visit him and bring abundance of beads and tobacco. I therefore
wished now to know from himself, whether he thought that what I
had said, was good; and whether he approved of my remaining a
long time at Litakun.

366 CONVERSATION WITH THE CHIEFTAINS. 13 Juty,

To this, his answer, or rather that of the interpreter, was simply,
“That is the same.” By which he meant to say, that I was at.
liberty to stay as long as it pleased me, or to depart whenever I
chose. He thus, by confining his reply to my last words, cunningly
avoided giving at our first meeting, any opinion on the other parts
of my speech.

The surrounding multitude were in the highest degree attentive
to all we said ; the eyes of every individual were fixed upon me, and
examined me with the utmost curiosity. As I thought I could per-
ceive satisfaction in their countenances, I felt perfectly at ease; but
could not, on viewing the assembly and snatching in the midst of
these transactions a moment to reflect on my situation, a solitary
Englishman wandering among lawless nations in the heart of Africa,
to gratify a desire of beholding human nature in its uncivilized state,
I could not but feel sensible of the risk I incurred.

After sitting thus for about ten minutes, the Chief rose and left
the circle, Serrakitu ordering the crowd to make way for him;
which they instantly did, without confusion or noise. All the rest
remained in their places, and a conversation of the same nature as
before, was renewed between the kosies. A few trifling questions
were put to me, who in my turn put others of as little importance ;
asking if they had many elephants and camelopards in their country,
and if there was much game to be found in the vicinity of the town.
At some intervals little was spoken by any one; the attention of all
being engaged in watching every motion I made, and in observing
my features.

In five minutes the Chief returned. The crowd opened a passage
for him, as before; but no one rose or quitted his seat: he stepped
between the chieftains, and took his place within the circle. He had
risen and gone into the house, for the purpose of fetching a small
calabash, of milk; which, as soon as he was seated, he offered to
me. He said nothing, but intimated by his motions and_ looks
that it was presented as a testimony of friendly feeling towards
me. Accordingly, I took a part of it; during which ceremony,
Serrakitu, Mollémmi, and Muchunka, continued talking, while the

1812. MANIFESTATION OF GOODWILL. 367

rest of the assembly and the crowd, in silence rivetted their eyes
-upon me, with looks of uncommon interest and surprise; as a
great number of them, there is no doubt, had never before beheld
a white man.

‘As I conceived it would not have been decorous to have re-
turned any part of this present, I gave the remainder to Juli that he
might set it in the waggon; for on looking round at the crowd I at
that moment discovered him close to me. My own men had been
completely excluded from me, but he, not yet knowing whether my
reception was friendly or not and becoming anxious for the result,
had thus forced his way to his master’s side.

After this we continued sitting; but no further conversation
took place between us. At length Serrakitu asked me to give him
some tobacco ; but, though I had put some in my pocket for occa-
sional distribution, I declined giving him any at this time, as I feared
that some confusion might arise, should all the others make the
same request, and as I knew that the quantity I had about me would
not suffice for the whole assembly if I began to give a piece to each.
I answered him, that until the Chief had received that which was
intended for him, it would not be correct to make a present to any
one else; and he expressed himself satisfied with my excuse.

That we might not sit silent and unemployed, I opened my
snuff-box, and held it towards Mattivi, who took two thirds of its
contents, and returned it to me: but, as I was sure that he would
be better pleased with three thirds, I put the box again into his hand,
and found that I had not mistaken his feelings. He emptied the
whole into the hollow of his hand and drawing from its sheath, the
knife which hung from his neck, he, with the point of it, distributed
a small quantity to each of his family and to all the chieftains who
sat inthe inner circle, reserving for himself no larger share than he
had given to any of the rest; a display of generosity to which he
was induced by the presence of the assembly. On this, a general
snuff-taking ensued, in the manner already described; but the quan-
tity which each received, was not sufficient to produce that strong
effect, nor even an inclination to sneeze.

On asking Muchunka privately if this would not be a proper

368 DIGNITY. — WORDS MISAPPLIED. 13 Jury,

moment for bringing forward the presents which I intended making-

to the Chief, he advised that I should wait till another opportunity,
as he knew, he said, that Mattivi would be better pleased if they
were given to him when quite alone.

At length Mattivi rose, and without ceremony, or nose: to
any one, left the assembly. I remained a few minutes after; but on
ascertaining that he would not return, I quitted the circle also, and
retired to my waggon ; on which, the chieftains rose, and the crowd
dispersed.

During this interview, which lasted little more than three
quarters of an hour, the principal object of my attention had been
to discover, if possible, the character of the man to whom [I was
about to commit myself, and on whose dealings so much depended.
But his silence baffled all power of guessing; yet I thought I
could discern through all this affectation of dignity, indications of a
want of mind and of that which constitutes real dignity. To have
expected to find this last quality in him, was not expecting more
than was possible, since it is as much the gift of nature as of refined
education; and an uncultivated savage may often possess it in a
higher degree than those whom art would elevate, but to whom
nature has refused her support. Although I observed nothing which
could be considered as prepossessing in his favor; yet the impres-
sions of a first interview had not disappointed the expectations which
I had allowed myself to entertain of his character.

To make use of the word king when speaking of such a man, or
of queens, princes, or princesses, to designate his wives, sons, or
daughters, would betray a childish vanity which, instead of adding
importance to my journal, would only serve to give extremely false
notions of the persons whom it means to describe. I am content
with humble terms for expressing humble things. It is, I may be
excused for saying, very far from being the object of this narrative,
to create an interest in it by any of the arts of exaggeration ; among
which, that of elevating the character of ideas by false names, or of
depressing it by similar means, is not the least dishonest.

Scarcely had I seated myself in the waggon, when another crowd
formed itself. From the first, all women, girls, and boys had been

1812. A CROWD OF WOMEN. 369

_ excluded ; but now the throng consisted entirely of these. In order
to get sight of me, they had arranged themselves in a long line,
extending from the back of the waggon, the end usually open; so
that they might look into it, and have a full view. This was a
scene as amusing and interesting to me as to them ; and therefore
to gratify both parties, I seated myself forward; by which a greater
multitude were enabled to see at once. They talked a great deal,
and in a very familiar and lively manner; but unfortunately their
volubility of utterance prevented my distinguishing a single word ;
and my interpreter had at this time left me to myself. At last,
that important word miichiiko was often repeated by those who stood
nearest: on which I endeavoured -to tell them, by a combination
of words and signs, that I could not give them any tobacco till
Mattivi had received some. This mode of conversing, being, I sup-
posed, quite unintelligible to them, appeared to afford these Bachapin
ladies much amusement. At this moment Muchunka, seeing me so
completely beset by this curious good-humoured crowd, came to my
assistance ; and explained to them what I had been endeavouring to
say. One of those who had been importuning for tobacco, was the
wife of the Chief; but notwithstanding her rank, she was as little
successful as the rest. This crowd was composed only of the wives,
younger daughters and sons, of the richer inhabitants; those of a
lower class were not permitted to approach me till a day or two
afterwards. ‘They continued standing in this manner for some time,
till they had satisfied their curiosity ; on which they returned to their
homes.

Soon after this, Mattivi, SerrakGtu, and Mollémmi, came and
took their seats in the waggon. As they appeared to have no other
object than that of mere curiosity, I took out my vocabulary and
read various sentences to them in their own language. These, as my
pronunciation was not. unintelligible, seemed to afford them con-
siderable amusement; and Muchunka did not fail to let them know
that I had learnt them from him. But though they appeared pleased,
they exhibited none of that surprise which I have described as having
been witnessed on a former occasion ; and even Muchunka’s astonish-

VOL. II. 3B

370 REMOVAL OF THE WAGGONS TO 13 Jury,

ment was now much moderated. They could scarcely be quite
ignorant of the nature and use of books and writing, as several
white-persons, had at different times, visited their country. It seemed
to afford them much pleasure, when I repeated that it was my in-
tention to learn their language, that I might talk to them without
an interpreter. Mattivi’s manners, though still sedate and reserved,
were now somewhat more familiar, and he had evidently laid aside
that assumed apathy and silence, which he may have thought more
becoming him in a public assembly composed of the principal men
of property and influence, belonging to the town; and even among
the larger crowd, there were, perhaps, but few of the poorer class
then present. 7 !

He pointed to a large circular enclosure close by, surrounded by
a fence or hedge of dry branches, where he wished my waggon to be
stationed, as he remarked that I should find the open place where it
now stood, to be very inconvenient on account of my being there
too much exposed to the general crowd of the inhabitants. 1 there-
fore ordered my men to move it thither: which they easily effected
without the oxen, as the ground was level and even. We still re-
mained sitting within, while they drew it along; and it was ex-
ceedingly amusing to behold this Chief of the Bachapins, who, a
few minutes before, sat in the midst of a great assembly of his nation,
with a gravity of deportment which would hardly permit him even
to return an answer to my address, now, as pleased with the ride, as
a child when drawn about by its nurse. All his dignity in my eyes,
was at an end: he seemed now to be only a Bachapin named Mattivi.
He regretted that the distance was so short; and his uncle and his
brother, not less than himself, were delighted with the motion of the
vehicle, and betrayed their satisfaction by countenances exhibiting an
intermediate expression between smiling and laughing.

They descended from the waggon as soon as it was brought
within the enclosure; and Mattivi showed me a hut on one side
of the area, which he gave for the use of my men. The plan of
it was circular; the sides, which extended round two thirds only
of the circumference, were made with roughly-interwoven branches

1812. THE MOOTSI, OR PUBLIC ENCLOSURE. 371

and twigs; and the roof was covered with dry grass. It was of
very rude construction, and in no respect resembled the neat dwell-
ing-houses of the town: it differed from a Hottentot hut only in
materials and greater size, and was intended merely as a place of
shade. My people, however, were very well pleased with it, as we
had seldom found so good a shelter on the journey ; and they easily
rendered it more comfortable, by closing the front with the mats
which we had brought with us for similar purposes.

The Bachapin kosies, or chieftains, do not receive visitors or
transact business in their houses or within the fence by which they
are incircled ; but appropriate to this use a large open area, from five-
and-twenty to thirty yards across, surrounded by either a hedge of
branches, or a rough irregular palisade. In this area, which they call a
mootsi (moatsy), or mitsu (mdotsew), all public business is transacted ;
and it is here, where they and their attendants and friends, usually sit
during the day and in fine weather. It is the place of public resort
for the men, but not for the women; whose laborious employments
call them another way. Sometimes a large tree is left standing in
it, for the sake of shade, but more frequently they are quite un-
sheltered: that belonging to Mattivi was of this kind, without a
bush or green twig within the fence; the hut being intended to
supply this deficiency.

It was in an enclosure of this kind, where my waggons were
stationed ; than which, no situation could afford a more favorable
opportunity for observing the manners of the principal inhabitants,
and the mode of conducting public affairs; as it was that particular
mootsi which belonged to the Chief. *

Soon after we had made these arrangements, a Bachapin presented
himself to me as an old acquaintance, and spoke Dutch with great
fluency. I had however no recollection of him, until he reminded me
of his having joined our caravan at the Karree river, on our journey
through the Roggeveld. At that time he attracted no particular atten-

* The outside of one of these public enclosures, is shown in the 6th plate, under the
large trees, and in the same engraving, the situation of the waggons may be seen.

SoB-2

372 HISTORY OF ADAM THE BACHAPIN. 13 Juty,

tion, as he did not then make himself known to me as a native of
Litakun; and from his speaking the language of the Colony so
readily, and wearing the same dress as the other people, I supposed
him to be a Hottentot of the mixed race. He now told me that he
had been living in the service of the boors in the Bokkeveld and
Roggeveld, from the time of his childhood; but knew not; as he
said, by what means he was brought away from his native country.
On the arrival of our caravan in that part of the colony, he con-
ceived a desire to visit the land which gave him birth; although he
was utterly ignorant of the name of his parents, and even of the name
they had given him, by which he might be enabled to make himself
known to them: and besides this, he was totally unacquainted with
the Sichuana language. He had received from the Boors, the name
of Adam; and by this he was now generally called. Having been
told that I was coming to this place, he had intended to accompany
my waggons thus far; but the various delays which had impeded
my progress, and the reported uncertainty of my ever returning alive
to Klaarwater, had at last induced him to make the journey in
company with some Hottentots ; with whom he arrived here about a
month before me. To his great pleasure, he had at length dis-
covered his father; and who, to his further satisfaction, proved
to be one of the richest chieftains in the town, and consequently,
a man of some importance; to which advantages he thus found
himself suddenly, and most unexpectedly, entitled. His father’s
superior affluence might be estimated from the circumstance of his
having four different dwelling-houses, and as many wives. Adam
was endeavouring to learn the language ; but as yet had experienced
great difficulty in making himself to be understood by his country-
men. It was not, he said, his intention to fix his residence perma-
nently at this place, as he preferred living on the Gariep, with the
Hottentots, under captain Berends; to whose manners, language,
and mode of life, he was more accustomed; as he knew little of any
others. He had partly laid aside his colonial dress, and had adopted
that of the Bichuanas, excepting only the pukéli: instead of this he
retained his leathern trowsers, to which he had been accustomed all his

1812. CLOTHING. —LOST OXEN. — THE LIKHAAI. 373

life; and at this time expressed himself as averse from adopting
that part of their dress, after having been so long clothed in a very
different manner.

With respect to the covering of the human body, we may re-
mark that among the various nations of the globe, whatever advance-
ment they may have made, they rarely if ever make a retrograde
change. And, could this opinion be established as a rule, it would
lead us to conclude that the aborigines of Southern Africa could
never have descended from a nation once accustomed to wear com-
plete clothing.

The place allotted for my cattle, was in the same pound with
those- of the Chief A little before sunset, a Bachapin, who said
he was Mattivi’s son-in-law, entered the enclosure, driving in my
oxen before him. They were found in the town, without any
one attending them; and, being used to come home at that hour,
had of their own accord gone into one of the mootsies, which happen-
ing to be his, they were immediately recognised as belonging to me,
and every one selected, without mistake, from among his own with
which they had mingled; a further proof of the faculty which all
these South-Africans have, of distinguishing and recognising oxen
in the midst of numerous herds. He claimed a piece of tobacco for
his trouble, and, on receiving three inches, departed as much pleased
at my cattle having strayed into his kraal, as I was vexed at finding
that they had been so much neglected by my own herdsman. But I
consoled myself with having by these means discovered that there
existed so much good faith and honesty in the inhabitants, that on
such occasions they were ready to restore the lost oxen to their owner,
instead of concealing them, in order to profit by my loss.

Adjoining the public enclosures, are others of the same kind,
called likhéat, and also méotsi, in which the cattle are confined at
night, and to which there is usually no entrance but through the
first: so that by placing a guard here and around the hedge, their
cows and oxen are well secured, both from breaking out, and from
any attempts of their enemies.

A wooden jug, containing about a gallon of sour or thick milk,

374 SERRAKUTU.—MATTIVI AND HIS ATTENDANTS. 13 Jury,

was brought to me by a chieftain’s servant; and soon afterwards
Serrakitu came to inform me that it was he who had sent it; and at
the same time begged me to give him some tobacco. Not wish-
ing to be troubled by similar importunities from others, I put a
piece secretly into his hand, requesting that he would not let any
one know that he had received it from me. This caution was quite
unnecessary, as he valued it himself too much to give any away to
others; which he could not have avoided doing, had it been known ;
as his friends would, in that case, have beset him on all sides. He
instantly concealed it under his cloak and hasted away home to
deposit it in a place of safety.

When Mattivi left the waggon, he took his seat on the ground at
the distance of a few yards, where his attendants and brothers sat in
a small party, engaged either in desultory conversation with each
other, or in observing our movements. At some times they ap-
peared not to heed our presence; at others, to watch every thing
with apparent curiosity and interest. The spot where he had seated
himself, and which he used as long as I remained at Litakun, was
directly facing the open end, or back, of my own waggon ; so that
he had a constant and full view of me, whenever the canvas flap
was tied open; which it usually was, during the first fortnight of my
residence at this town.

Numbers of the inhabitants were standing about unemployed,
except in looking at the waggons and observing all which we did ;
but, awed or restrained by their Chief, they did not interrupt me,
or venture to importune for any thing; a sufficient proof that he
had issued strict orders to forbid begging at that time. These, and
my own declaration that nothing would be given away till Mattivi had
received what was intended for him, were the only cause of my re-
maining all day unmolested in this respect.

Among my stores, I had coffee still remaining ; and as soon as
some was prepared, I sent a large cupful to the Chief, who drank it
immediately it was presented to him, and expressed his approbation
by the words, It is good. He admired the vessel which held it, and
inquired if it was made of ivory. This remark was not injudicious,

1812. COFFEE AND CONVERSATION.—BACHAPIN NAMES. 375

as a small jar of white glazed earthenware, was not altogether unlike
ivory: it was the last remaining European article of that nature,
which I had then left to supply the place of a coffee-cup; every
thing else having long been broken to pieces by the unavoidable acci-
dents of travelling.

In the evening, as soon as my waggon was closed and the candle
lighted, Mattivi climbed in and took his seat, accompanied by his
brothers Mollémmi and Mbolaali, and attended by Adam _ the
Bachapin, whom they brought with them as interpreter: but, as he
was too little acquainted with the Sichuana language, I was obliged
to call in the assistance of Muchunka. We were therefore all closely
crowded together, as my sitting-room, if I may call it so, had been
made only large enough conveniently for one person.

The coffee-kettle was still standing more than half full; and on
seeing this Mattivi asked for another cup, which was accordingly
poured out for him, and the same quantity also presented to his
brothers. ‘This beverage appeared to be highly agreeable to their
palate, and so much were they pleased with it, that as soon as one
cup was drunk, they asked for another, and repeated their request
till the kettle was emptied.

Among other remarks it was explained to me that the name
Mollémmi signified ‘ left-handed ;’ a circumstance which first led me
to conclude that these people do not receive their names while infants ;
but that, in all probability, these are given, only when they have
attained an age at which they begin to exhibit some character of
their own. This may not be the case on every occasion, since I had
no opportunity of ascertaining this point clearly; but it certainly
is so on many, of which this is an instance; as Mollémmi was really
left-handed. He used the knife with that hand, and did with it
what others usually do only with their right ; being in several things,
ambidextrous.

The word moldala signifies, a person who is possessed of little,
and is used as a common appellative for a servant or inferior attend-
ant. The name Muchinka has nearly the same signification, but
implies a lower rank. The name of the Chief’s youngest brother

376 AN IMPORTANT REQUEST, 13 Juty,

Mahira, may be expressed in English by ‘ fat;’ a word which most
correctly accorded with his figure.
When they had drunk all the coffee, they seemed maglined to

enter into conversation. Mattivi commenced by saying, that Muli-

hdban his father, a short time before he died, had desired him to be
kind to all his brothers, and to take every care of them; that they
were numerous, and all depended on him for protection. He then
remarked that Mulihaban was always a great friend to white-
men. -To which I replied; Yes, I had already heard that he was,
and that the white-men would therefore lament, on receiving the
news of his death; but that when I should inform them that Mattivi
was equally their friend, they would rejoice again, and white-men
would again come to see him. |

These remarks, and a few others of the same kind, were made
in a desultory manner, and appeared to have no mutual connection,
nor any particular object: they were merely meant as an introduction
to another more important subject which it seems, had occupied their
thoughts long before my arrival, and had been a matter of national
consultation. It had previously pressed so much on their minds,
that it had evidently been resolved to make it the very first point of
discussion, as soon as I had reached their town. The Chief, there-
fore, informed me that since Afrikaander* had now supplied the
Bamuchars with guns, he could no longer consider himself safe in
this part of the country, unless he could procure similar arms; and
that as soon as this most desirable object was obtained, he intended
to remove his town and all his people nearer towards the Gariep,
to the spot where it stood at the time of his birth. He expressed
himself highly displeased with the Klaarwater people, because they
had hitherto refused to sell him any of their muskets; but that now
I was come among them, they expected I should be their friend and
should let them have one of mine, as they saw I had many, and
could therefore easily spare one out of so great a number.

* I here write this name as it is commonly pronounced, and as it was spoken by his
own family, although it would be more correctly written, Afrikaaner.

1812. AND ARGUMENTS AGAINST IT. B7z

So unexpected a demand, and of such a nature, for it had more
the character of a demand than of a request, and made on the very
moment of my arrival, was a circumstance exceedingly unpleasant,
as the earnestness with which it was made, convinced me at once of
the difficulty of the situation in which it placed me. I had no more
than just muskets enough to arm all my men, and three even of
these belonged to the Hottentots themselves, who had preferred
bringing their own guns as being more accustomed to them. It was
putting into the hands of this people a weapon which in the event
of any future misunderstanding would be used against ourselves ; so
that we might lose our lives by the very instrument which we had
brought for the purpose of defending them: besides which, ammu-
nition would also be required. If I refused giving it, I must run
the risk of its being taken either by force or by stealth. I had but an
instant for reflection; my answer must follow the question. I re-
solved not to grant his request; although I foresaw that my refusal
would produce some unpleasant consequences.

I therefore replied, that I had no more than one for each of my
men, and that if I were to give up any, some of my own people
must go unarmed, which, as he well knew, was a thing not to be
ventured in travelling through a country inhabited by Baréba (Bush-
men) ; that as we were but very few in number, we had the greater
necessity for retaining our arms for our own defence ; that they were
not all my own, and must be taken back to the colony again; that
besides this, he saw that we had no food but what was procured by
hunting, and must be well aware that we had in these countries, no
other means of support, consequently that our lives depended on
our guns, which was not the case with them, as they had abundance
of corn, milk, and cattle. And I concluded by assuring him, that I
felt the most friendly sentiments towards him and all his people,
otherwise I should not have come to see him; that if I had more
muskets than were wanted, I would willingly let him have one, but
that it was impossible to think of disarming my own men.

All these arguments, which they must have had discernment
enough to think perfectly reasonable, appeared to have no effect in

VOL. II. 3 ¢

378 DEBATING WITH MATTIVI. 13 Jury,

inducing them to relinquish their demand. They continued to talk
on the subject, with the same confidence as though they had not
heard what I had said; and both Mattivi and Mollemmi were most
importunate in urging their request. They declared that they in-
tended to give me the value of it, and would to-morrow send to their
cattle-stations for some fine oxen which they proposed offering to me,
and were sure that I should not then, refuse to grant what they so
much wished. I repeated over again all I had said, and ventured to
assume a more positive tone. ‘They continued, however, as much
determined as before, not to desist from importuning; if so mild a
term can express their manner of asking. Mattivi said; where was
he to get a gun if I did not give them one? To this I replied, that
a gun would be of little use to people who could not themselves
make gunpowder and ball: but the moment these words had passed
my lips I felt that I had used but a weak argument; as he quickly
rejoined, that he expected that I should be friendly enough to supply
him with those things also.

I found myself now so closely pressed by these emies for Molali
said but little, that I thought it not prudent to venture farther in
the subject, without taking some time for deliberation. I therefore
declared that as I had already said so much, I found myself unable
to talk more at present, and begged them to wait till the morning.
Still, however, they both urged their argument, with the same per-
severance ; while I, remained obstinate in making the same replies:
nor was it till past nine, and when they felt their legs becoming cold
from sitting so long up in the waggon, that they left me and went
to the fire in my men’s house.

Thither I was also compelled by cold to follow them; for the

whole day, and more especially the evening, had been rendered

exceedingly chilly by a strong easterly wind. The chief with his
two brothers, and Adam and Muchunka, went away together and
without ceremony or distinction sat down by the side of my people,
where they remained nearly an hour longer, warming themselves and
smoking their pipes.

Every hour at Litakun presented some new and interesting fact

1812. HORSES, SHEEP, AND THREE HOTTENTOTS MISSING. 379

to my observation; and, even in the midst ofall the confusion of
novelty, the care which my situation created and the watchfulness
which it demanded could not prevent me from enjoying the con-
templation of the strange scene to which this day’s journey had
brought me. I beheld every where, a harvest of new ideas, and
lamented that I was working alone in so extensive a field, and where
sO many eyes were wanted to observe, and so many hands to record.

The existence of supreme power without the least distinction of
ceremony or superiority of outward appearance in the possessor, was
a combination of facts, quite new to me, and of which, the view of
Mattivi as he was sitting at our fire, gave me an instructive proof.
Every one who saw him, knew that he was the person who held
that power ; and the consideration of this, seemed to satisfy all his
ambition. He affected nothing different from those around him; he
squatted on the ground by their side, and sometimes took a whiff
from Muchunka’s pipe. He frequently on other evenings, took his
seat amongst my Hottentots, and talked with them in very familiar
terms, often asking them for their pipe ; which, there is little doubt,
he did with a view to saving his own tobacco ; as I did not perceive
that he was equally ready to return them the same favor.

After Mattivi and his party had retired, and we were left once
more by ourselves, excepting two of the chief’s servants who re-
mained in the hut all night, I discovered, on inquiring where my
men had secured the horses, that neither they, nor the sheep, nor
Andries, nor Stuurman, had returned home that night; nor had they
been seen or heard of since the teams were loosed from the waggons
and they had gone away to drive the cattle out of the town to pasture.
These Hottentots, it now appeared, had again neglected their duty ;
and thus, at a moment when so many other subjects demanded my
attention, were my cares encreased by their worthlessness ; nor could I,
under the pressure of these feelings, scarcely avoid the wish that those
who reduced me to the necessity of hiring such people, and those
who prevented better from engaging in my service, might some day
be placed in a situation to feel all those anxieties and difficulties
which their ungenerous dealing caused me for so many months to

3c 2

380 FIRST NIGHT AT LITAKUN. 31, 14 Jury,

suffer. Keyser (Kyser) was also absent; and no one knew whither
he was gone, nor for what reason he was thus away from us. The
loss of the horses was, in some respects, a more serious misfortune
than that of the men; who, by this conduct, proved that they would
be of little value in time of danger. I felt the more persuaded that
these things had not been occasioned by any treachery on the part
of the natives, as they had so honorably brought home my oxen,
which, to them, would have been a far more valuable prize than the
horses and sheep. As nothing could be done this night, the rest of
my Hottentots as well as myself, awaited in much uneasiness of mind,
the result of the next morning’s search. |
I then retired to my waggon, not to sleep, as nature and past
fatigues demanded, but to record as concisely as possible the nume-
rous observations and transactions of the day, before an accession
of fresh matter for my journal, should confuse my recollection of
occurrences so numerous and so various. In this employment I suf-
fered much inconvenience from the coldness of the night; as the
mercury of the thermometer, at an hour and a half after midnight,
was found to have sunk within three degrees of the freezing point.

CHAPTER XV.

RESIDENCE IN THE TOWN OF LITAKUN 5 AND AFFAIR OF THE GUN.

Jury 14th. Early this morning, and before I had left my waggon,
the Chief sent me, as a present, a fatted cow. This I would willingly
have reserved for the sake of its milk during the following part of
our journey, but knowing that it was given in the expectation of our
making immediate use of it, and of distributing some of the meat
among our Bachapin attendants and visitors, I was compelled to re-
sign it for slaughter. This mark of hospitality is customary between all
the Bichuana chiefs when they pay a visit to each other ; and as I was

The above engraving represents the Chief and a small party of his friends, as they
usually sit in the public enclosure, when engaged merely in desultory conversation. As
he persisted in refusing to allow any drawing to be made of him, this sketch was taken
unknown to him, as he sat in view from my waggon: the figure, of which only the back
is seen, was drawn from him. The back-ground shows part of the outward fence of the
enclosure.

382 SUPPLIES OF MILK.— THE CHIEF AT WORK. 14 Jury,

considered in this light, the same custom, consequently, was followed
on the present occasion. It seemed to be intended rather as the sign
of friendly reception, than as a desire to furnish me with provisions
during my residence with him; for it was never repeated but once
afterwards. And although I daily obtained a supply of milk, this
was always given in expectation of regular payment in tobacco, and
required no thanks on either side; for different chieftains sent it by
their servants, who took back the money, as the tobacco might very
properly be termed, often without my knowing from whom the milk
was received. Yet these supplies came more frequently from the
chief or his relations, than from other persons ; and who endeavoured
to confine this trading to themselves. One of my Hottentots obtained
this morning half a gallon for four inches of tobacco ; and reported
to me that Mattivi had scolded his servants for not bringing us the
milk earlier.

On looking out of my waggon as soon as I rose, | found the
Chief and his party, which consisted of about ten or twelve of his
principal attendant chieftains, sitting in a part of the enclosure oppo-
site to me, employed in scraping the hair off from a skin intended for
a kobo. The instrument with which this was done, was a small adze
of the form already described.* The skin lay extended on the
ground, and was occasionally sprinkled with water, to facilitate the
removing of the hair. He was the only person at work upon it; the
rest were doing nothing, except now and then for a minute or two
conversing together.

I was allowed to take my breakfast undisturbed; for although
they attentively watched all my motions, no one came to the waggon.
I sent the Chief a pot of milk and rice, which he immediately ate, in
a manner which showed that he considered it very palatable.

I soon after this, took my seat in the circle, and, informing
him of the time when my dinner would be ready, invited him and as
many as he thought proper to bring with him, or as my waggon could
accommodate, to come and partake of the meal; telling him als

* In the first volume, at page 406.

1812. RECOVERY OF THE LOST HOTTENTOTS AND HORSES. 383

that, as I had never admitted any one else to eat in my waggon,
this invitation was intended as a mode of expressing my respect
for him, and, at the same time, my friendly sentiments towards
all his family. He listened to this with great gravity of countenance,
but made no reply, as. he was now sitting in public, and attended by
his council ; for in this light, it will be seen, these attendants are pro-
perly to be regarded.

Just at this moment, I had the pleasure of seeing Philip and the
other two Hottentots whom I had sent out on search early in the
morning, returning with the horses, and accompanied by Stuurman,
one of the three men who had been missing. Philip reported that
after he had left the town, and had been a long time seeking in vain,
he met some Bachapins who, on his inquiring if they had seen either
the horses or the Hottentots, gave him to understand, by signs
and pointing to the place, and by a few words which he in part
comprehended, that he would find them all in that direction. By
following these instructions, he and his companions walked a mile or
two farther and happily discovered the three lost Hottentots sitting
together under a bush, with the horses near them.

The explanation of this affair as given by themselves, together
with the particulars I afterwards learnt from the rest of my men,
partly from Keyser’s (Kyser) confession, was, that immediately on
our arrival at Litakun and as soon as the teams were unyoked and
sent to the outskirts of the town under the care of Andries and
Stuurman, Keyser seeing me instantly surrounded and enclosed by
so great a multitude of people, and not knowing what would be the
result, actually lost his senses through fear: his mind became literally
deranged and he knew not what he was doing. He flew to the
baggage-waggon, into which he climbed with the utmost haste, and
crept under the people’s bedding to conceal himself and escape the
cruel death which he supposed awaited him, and which he believed
had already befallen me. Just at that moment, one of the natives
happening to look into the waggon, merely from curiosity to know
what it contained, this Hottentot scrambled with the greatest pre-
cipitation and terror to the other end; at the same time crying out,
in the agony of fear, to Speelman who was a short distance off, that

384 KEYSER’S DESERTION. 14 Jury,

the natives were going to murder us; and with agitated voice, asking
why we did not begin to defend ourselves and fire upon them.
Speelman, whatever might have been his own fears at that moment,
had not, most fortunately for all, so far lost his reason as to listen
to Keyser’s recommendation ; but, disregarding our terrified fellow-
traveller, left him in that situation and took his station as near to
me as the closeness of the crowd would allow him. In the mean-
time, the Hottentot, watching for a moment when the attention of
all the natives was directed towards the circle where their Chief was
sitting, slipped away unperceived, at least by any of my own people;
and, as fast as he could run, fled into the country under an impression
that he had just escaped from death. When he came up to Stuurman
and Andries, who were tending the cattle and horses, his mind was
so utterly confused, that he fired off his musket, threw down his
cartridge-box, and, with the vehemence of a madman, tore his hat
from his head and dashed it on the ground, crying out to them to
beat him, for he could not speak, he could not say what had happened,
At length, he told them, that he was the only one remaining alive
out of all the party ; the rest were all murdered: he had himself seen
the natives run me through the body with their hassagays ; and to
conclude, advised them to fly for their lives and make the best of
their way back to Klaarwater. After this declaration, the truth of
which, his great terror and agitation seemed to confirm, they all three
instantly mounted the horses, and, leaving the oxen and sheep to
their fate, rode off at full speed, till they had nearly reached our last
station at Lobutsani. There they passed the night, without fire, for
they were afraid of being discovered and murdered; and without
food. In the morning, the other two were induced, by some incon-
sistency which they discovered in Keyser’s story, to suspect that
affairs had not proceeded to that extremity which his account had
at first led them to believe. They had suffered much from cold
during the night, and now began to feel the pains of hunger: they
perceived, too, on reflection, that by separating themselves from me
and the waggons, they were both defenceless and helpless, and were
in the greatest danger of being cut off, in their way back, should they
persist in retreating from us. So that on a cooler view of their case,

1812. AND RETURN. 385

they considered, supposing I was not really murdered as Keyser had
reported, that they were running into more certain danger by desert-
ing me, than by returning to Litakun. They therefore refused any
longer to follow Keyser’s advice; especially as, on beginning to
recover from his panic, he consented to go back with them to the
town, or as near as they might venture with safety, in order to discover
whether I, or any of the Hottentots, were still alive. On this, they
came to within two miles of Litakun, when their fears or doubts
prevented their advancing farther ; and, as they knew nothing of the
language, their difficulties were increased by not being able to ask
any questions of the natives whom they met. Uncertain what step
to take, they seated themselves under a bush, to consider how they
were to act, and to watch for an opportunity of gaining some correct
intelligence. In this situation they were fortunately seen by the
natives, who afterwards met Philip.

In coming home with him, they met Platje, who was attending
my oxen at the river; and Keyser’s fears returning in proportion as
he approached the town, he could by no argument be persuaded to
proceed. Therefore he and Andries were left there, as they promised
that they would come with the cattle in the dusk of the evening.
This they afterwards did; but still continued penetrated with fear.

We had given up the sheep as utterly lost, but here again, con-
trary to my expectations, they were recovered ; for a man, who also
called himself a son-in-law of the Chief, having found them straying
in the plains this morning, brought them safely home to the waggons,
asking merely a piece of tobacco as payment for his trouble.

This affair, in spite of our wish to conceal it, was soon made
known to the Chief and the whole town, who, most unfortunately
for me, were now convinced that I was accompanied by men who
would be ready to desert me on the first appearance of danger.
These people were discerning enough to discover every symptom
of fear, as soon as it appeared; and the opinion which they now
formed, became daily more confirmed by the manners and _ be-
haviour of most of my Hottentots, whose unfounded timidity, added
to the smallness of our number and the circumstance of my being the

VOL. II 3D

386 LOUNGERS IN THE MOOTSI. 14 Juxy,

only white person of the party, operated very quickly in emboldening
the natives, and in encouraging them to take those liberties in their
dealings with me, which, under other circumstances, they would not,
there is little doubt, have ventured to take. The effect which the
sight of our weak number had on their minds, was sufficiently
manifest in the unhesitating manner in which they made so unreason-
able a request as that of asking me to give up any of my arms.

The mootsi was, from the morning till night, crowded with
people; most of whom appeared to belong to the richer, or upper,
class of inhabitants. (They came there evidently on my account ; as
so large an assemblage of visitors to their chief, is not usual, excepting
on occasions of important debate. They were lounging about with no
other view than to gratify their curiosity, and, more especially, to be
ready to receive whatever might be given away from the waggons.
In order to secure these gifts to themselves, they over-awed the lower
class, and kept them without the hedge; where different parties were
standing at a respectful distance, watching eagerly to get a sight of
what was passing within. All their movements were conducted with
perfect decorum, and though every one, even the lowest among them,
enjoyed the most unrestrained liberty with the Chief, without mani-
festing the slightest symptoms of servility or restraint, there was a
mutual respect, and a propriety of behaviour toward each other,
which would not allow me, when viewing them in this ioe only, to
consider them as savages or uncivilized men.

In a retired corner of the enclosure, stood a party of girls and
young women, observing with the greatest attention every transac-
tion at the waggon; yet too timid to approach near enough for
having a full view. But I found that two words were sufficient to
dispel all their timidity, and bring every one of them to me; for on
calling out to them, Bassdrri mingklie / * (Pretty girls !) they imme-

* Bassarri is the plural of Mossdrr7, which signifies a woman of any age, or a girl
who has attained her full growth. Mungklie or Munkle is a word, never, I believe, used
but with reference to personal beauty. The Sichuana language possesses but one word
for expressing both woman and wife ; a remarkable defect, which, however, it has in com-
mon with several European languages.

1812. BASSARRI MUNGKLIE. 387

diately advanced without waiting for a second invitation; and with
a very lively and amusing manner, began to importune for snuff or
tobacco. Notwithstanding my determination, not to make any public
distribution before the Chief had received his presents, I could not
_remain so ungallant as to give them a refusal, when their request was
urged with so much good-natured earnestness. They each in their
turn, held out their hand; into which I put a small quantity of snuff:
This trifling gift seemed to render them so happy, that no one could
have witnessed it without partaking in their pleasure, nor without
feeling convinced that to those who know no wants but of the simplest
nature, the attainment of a trifle brings as much enjoyment, as others
of more refined and multiplied desires, derive from the acquirement
of more valuable objects. Even at so sparing a rate of distribution,
the snuff-box which I now was obliged to carry always in my pocket
for the use of my visitors, was not large enough to supply every hand
which was held up; and, as I had also some loose tobacco in my
pocket, I gave to some a share of this, with which they were
equally pleased, since it was to them no difficulty, to manufacture it
into snuff. The spirit of begging seemed in this people to be innate ;
for children of every age above that of four years, came to ask for
tobacco or snuff. The number of this party had greatly increased
since I began the distribution, and as soon as it was perceived that
although I had persisted in withstanding the solicitations of the men,
I did not refuse to give snuff to the girls, many of the chieftains sent
their daughters and children to join the crowd.

Even the dignified Chief himself followed their example, and
was so far overcome by a greedy desire for tobacco, that he brought
his daughter to me, that he might use his influence in obtaining for
her, or rather for himself, a larger share than the others. When she
came up, I had in my hand as much tobacco as I intended for five,
and was giving her rather a larger portion; but, as he stood by my
side, he slyly took hold of my hand and turned all its contents into
his daughter’s. He then walked away with the very undignified
satisfaction of having by these means gained a pipe more tobacco than
would have fallen to her lot had he not practised this little trick.

3D 2

388 DEBATE ON MATTIVIS REQUEST FOR A GUN: 14 Juzy,

In about half an hour after this, he came to ask me for snuff for
himself; although he knew that he was to receive his presents at the
first opportunity when it could be done privately. I gave him my
box, which had been previously filled, and he took the half of it ;
being perhaps ashamed to betray so much covetousness as to take the
whole, after having emptied my hand but a few minutes before.

During the whole of the day, the natives continued asking for to-
bacco, and I found myself at last obliged now and then to give a little.
When I assured them I had no more left, they were so incredulous
that they felt the outside of my coat-pocket to ascertain the truth;
nor would they believe that its contents could be aught else, till I
had taken every thing out to show them. All this was done with
good humour ; and I was sometimes able to stop their importunities
by some joking remark.

Mattivi and Mollemmi now renewed their request for one of the
guns; and as I was at this time prepared with a plan on my part,
which should ultimately frustrate theirs, 1 had no objection to the
debate ; although I still wished to induce them to relinquish their
object. I repeated the arguments I had before used, respecting the
impossibility of disarming my own men, and of giving up my only
means of procuring food or of obtaining those skins of animals, the
hunting of which, I said, was one of the principal purposes of my
journey into the Interior. I represented to them, that as my party
was so small in number, I ought not to weaken it by giving up any
part of our arms; while, on the other hand, they were so numerous
and powerful a nation, that nothing could harm them; and that a
musket in addition to their present means of defence, would add very
little to their strength. But they immediately convinced me that
‘ e’en tho’ vanquished, they could argue still,’ and obstinately persisted
in their demand. I asked Mattivi why his father had not, if a gun
was so necessary to them, obtained one from other white men who
had formerly visited him ; to which he replied, that as he was at that
time, only a young man, and under Mulihaban, he had no authority to
act in such an affair, and could not presume to interfere in matters of
business ; otherwise the Bachapins would have been long before now

1812. AND ARGUMENTS FOR GRANTING IT. 389

in possession of fire-arms: and that one of them had, indeed, made
a promise of letting his father have a musket ; although he had not
performed it. I then explained to him that such instruments were
very unsafe for every person excepting those who well understood
how to use them: and, to impress this the more forcibly on his mind,
I sent for Gert, and exhibited his mutilated hand as one of the
distressing consequences to which he would be liable, if I were to
consent to let him have one. But nothing which could be said, had
the least effect in turning him from his determination: he replied,
that weapons of every kind caused accidents to those who used them ;
that the Bachapins were sometimes, while running hastily, thrown
down and pierced by their own hassagay, or even lost their lives by
falling on their own knife.

When I reflected on my defenceless situation in the midst
of a populous town, with a few Hottentots, on several of whom, I
already knew, no dependence could be placed ; and when I considered
that it was in Mattivi’s power, should he be so inclined, to take with-
out my permission, not one gun only, but all, I judged it imprudent
any longer to resist his wishes; more especially as I believed his only
object to be that of gaining by such a weapon a superiority over the
neighbouring tribes, whom he represented as incessantly harassing
his people by irruptions into his country, and by robbing them
frequently of large herds of cattle. Besides which, I judged that his
having fire-arms in his possession, could not render him very
formidable, or even obnoxious, to any one, as the extent of their
power would be limited by the quantity of gunpowder which he might
hereafter procure, and of which there was no prospect of his being
able to obtain any, unless it should be given, or sold to him, from
Klaarwater. I also foresaw that if I persisted in my refusal, even
should he preserve the good faith not to offer me open molestation,
my stay at Litakun would be rendered unpleasant to myself and
perhaps unwelcome to him; in which case I must have departed
before I had completed my observations on its inhabitants and had
acquired sufficient experience and knowledge of their manners and

390 INQUISITIVENESS. 14 Jury,

customs to have been enabled with advantage to enter the next nation
beyond. And besides this, I feared that he might give vent to his
displeasure, by sending forward into those countries, some reports
which might occasion to me an unfriendly reception.

I therefore told him that on one condition only, would I consent
to let him have a musket; which was, that I should retain it till my
return to Karrikamma, and that he might then send some trusty
person thither to receive it; but that I would on no consideration
give up any of my arms until I had arrived at that place.

I conceived that by this agreement I was dealing with him in his
own way, by outwitting him; as it was of course not my intention
to return to that village, but to proceed onwards farther into the
Interior.

He appeared very satisfied with my answer and pleased at the
success of his negotiation; and replied that he would send his
brothers Mollemmi and Molaali to receive the gun. I then remarked
that as I had done more for him than any other white-man who had
visited his country, he ought to regard me as having proved my
friendship for him by the strongest possible testimony.

Here the debate terminated, and thus was the affair concluded
to the satisfaction of both parties. On this, they left the waggon and
took their place in the circle of attendant chieftains, to communicate
to them the result of our conversation.

When they left the waggon, others came and took their place,
seating themselves by me in the manner in which they were
accustomed to do, by their chief, and indulging their inquisitiveness in
examining with their eyes every thing within my sitting-place.
Every person in the enclosure seemed to have little or nothing to do;
all sat or walked about as if their time was useless: but, for this ap-
parent want of occupation, the presence of a white-man with his two
waggons loaded with goods of the most extraordinary kind, was a full
excuse; and it might be admitted, that in observing my person and
in satisfying their curiosity on so great a variety of novel objects,
their minds, at least, were actively employed. With this view

1812. PRECAUTIONS. — THE HOTTENTOT AND ELAND. 391

Mollemmi soon returned, with Molaali and several others; and as I
considered that whatever I did would amuse them, I took out my
journal to record a few facts and occurrences as they passed. When-
ever I wrote, the spectators watched the motion of my hand with
great attentiveness, and several of them evidently comprehended the
nature and intention of what I was doing.

When they had seen enough of writing to give them as clear a
notion of it as they were capable of, several, and more particularly
Mollemmi, became very desirous of knowing what was concealed
behind the canvas partition which parted off the sleeping-place from
that end of the waggon at which we were sitting; and although it
was explained to them that it was the place where I slept, and that
there was nothing in it but my bedding, they would hardly believe
me till some of them had taken a peep behind the curtain.

I had been previously aware that this place would be examined,
and had taken care at night to put into the chests upon which my
bedding lay, every thing which they were likely to covet, or which
might excite particular attention. Little therefore was visible but
such objects as were familiar, or well-known, to them; unless it was
some few articles of which I could not avoid making open use.
Similar precautions are of the highest importance to a European
traveller in these countries ; but they require at the same time, to be
so managed as not to excite any suspicion of concealment; as ‘such
suspicion might in some cases be more dangerous than an open
exposure of every thing; because, when once raised, it generally
leads the natives to imagine more riches to be concealed, than there
are in reality.

To pass away the time and give me opportunities of seeing
more of their character, I exhibited some drawings of animals, which
I had made on the journey. I found them quick of apprehension
and far superior in this respect to the Bushmen: they instantly knew
what objects my sketches were intended to resemble. One of these
drawings represented a Kanna (Eland) and a Hottentot in the attitude
of shooting it. With this subject they were excessively delighted ;
and expressed their satisfaction by such loud laughter, that Mattivi

392 EXHIBITING DRAWINGS. — BOKLOOKWE. 14 Jury,

and his attendants came also to have a sight. He climbed up into
the waggon, and my sitting-place was soon filled with men huddled
and crowded together, so that neither he nor I could without difficulty
find room for our feet. Every part of the waggon which they leaned
against, was reddened with the ochre and sibi/o from their kéboes and
bodies ; and my own clothes began to assume the color of theirs.
After having thus unexpectedly afforded by this exhibition, the
highest gratification to the whole party, and to all who were in the
enclosure, the crowd by degrees retired to their places, and the Chief
and his brothers were glad to get their legs released from the cramped
posture in which the contracted space in the waggon and the uncere-
monious crowding of his people, had confined them. However
inconvenient this want of accommodation might be to my visitors, it

exactly suited my own wishes, as it prevented my having more at one

time than | could watch and attend to.

An old chieftain named Békléokwé was one of those who fre-
quently paid me visits. His manners were always friendly, and he
appeared to take pleasure in my society; though I did not flatter
myself that his friendship or attentions were purely disinterested or
merely personal, or that they were altogether unconnected with
muchuko (tobacco). As the portrait of him, drawn several weeks
after this date, presents a just specimen of an old Bachapin kosi, I
have added it at the end of the chapter.*

When my dinner was prepared, which was not till four in the
afternoon, I sent Gert, whom I at this period generally employed as
my personal servant, to inform Mattivi that the meal waited for him.
He brought with him only his uncle Serrakttu, who appeared to share
much of the supreme authority. I explained to him, that as I was at

* This engraving, though executed on wood and much reduced from the original
drawing, preserves very correctly the character of countenance peculiar to the individual
for whose portrait it is given. His hair was clotted by an accumulation of sibizlo and
grease: and, affixed to the top of his head, he wore as an ornament, some hair from a
kaama’s tail. From his ear was suspended a large plate of copper, called a lekaaka ; more
particularly described in the eighteenth chapter. His beard grew only on the upper lip,
and but scantily on the point of the chin. His dress is the ordinary leathern kodo
already described.

1812. THE CHIEF INVITED TO DINNER. 393

present unacquainted with the customs of the Bachapins, I had
followed those of my own country, and hoped that he would be
pleased with the manner in which I received him. There was little
need for apology, as he appeared indifferent to ceremony of this kind,
and regarded all my arrangements as perfectly correct and duly
respectful.

The dinner consisted of all which it was in my power to set before
him, a piece of boiled beef, part of the cow which he had given me in
the morning, some boiled rice, some melted sheep-tail fat, and some
salt. I gave to each a knife and fork; and they made use of them
with tolerable facility, but more frequently put the meat into their
mouth with their fingers. Mattivi ate heartily of every thing except-
ing the beef, and when he was invited to take more, he replied that his
digestion was bad, and that beef always gave him a pain at his chest.
This was however only a polite excuse; for the truth was, that the
meat, being fresh-killed and perhaps old, was exceedingly hard ; and
I found some difficulty in practising myself what I was pressing him
to do. But Serrak(itu was not so fastidious: he feasted plentifully
and made no complaint. ‘Towards the end of this dinner, Mollémmi,
Molaali, and Mahira, joined us, and partook of the beef. My rice
met the complete approbation of my guests; who did not desist from
praising it, till the whole of it was eaten.

I thought it prudent not to produce any brandy: this I on all
occasions carefully concealed from the natives, as I feared the conse -
quences of allowing them to know that, excepting beads and tobacco,
my waggon contained any thing which could be desirable for them.
And I confess that it was principally a selfish feeling which prevented
my offering them any wine: —there was but little remaining, and I had
often experienced the beneficial effects of half a glass of this, the
artificial stimulus of which lent considerable assistance in renovating
bodily strength which had been too much exhausted by over-fatigue.
Those who have never been deprived of the use of it, will not easily,
without similar experience, form a just idea of the value it possesses
on such occasions.

Instead of wine or brandy, I presented. my guests with fea;

VOL. Il. 3E

394 ON THE GENERAL CHARACTER OF THE BACHAPINS. 14 Juty,

which they called métst-morrika, and with which they were as much
pleased, as with the rice. We had no sugar, but as they had not seen
me use any, they thought the tea equally pleasant without it; but
without waiting to be guided by my example, they added to it a small
quantity of milk as readily as if they had been accustomed to this
beverage every day ; and had probably seen it thus used at Klaar-
water, or had been informed that such was the practice of white-
people.

I considered that there were now sitting in my waggon, the
highest personages at Litakun, and that I might view them as the
most accomplished of their tribe. I watched their manners, and the
workings of their mind, as far as they could be seen in the remarks
they made; and though I felt much interested in tracing what I
viewed as the first steps of civilization as compared with the tribes I
had hitherto examined, yet the contemplation of these specimens
served only to convince me how many degrees the untutored
Bachapin stands below the cultivated European. This is, however,
an assertion not to be made without some modification, nor without
a fair exposition of the sense in which it ought to be taken, nor
without some limitation to its extent: but these will be best
explained, and exemplified, by the following pages. Conduct appa-
rently contradictory in itself, and sentiments seemingly inconsistent
with each other, will only be rendered intelligible by an unprejudiced,
and abstract, consideration of the nature of man. It is the combin-
ation of a two-fold nature and of contending principles, which
produces that diversity of feature and inconsistency of character, by
which an observer may, unless with the utmost caution and attention,
be confused in his judgment and misled in his conclusions. If then,
there be some difficulty in obtaining at first, a clear view of this
subject, there may be still more, in communicating it to others; and
the safer mode of exhibiting general character, will perhaps be that
of allowing it to declare itself through the means of numerous parti-
cular facts.

Serrakitu, who was extremely eager to have a sight of the
various goods which I had brought with me, whispered, just loud

1812. COVETOUSNESS. 395

enough for the interpreter to understand, that, as soon as all these
things could be laid out ready for inspection, I should close up the
waggon, and privately give him and Mattivi notice, that they might
come and see them before any one else should be admitted. It
should here be remarked that this nation had never hitherto, except-
ing one or two instances, been visited by a white-person, or by the
Hottentots, but for the purpose of bartering for cattle or ivory: and
this they supposed to be one of the objects of my visit to Litékun.

Mattivi, who always assumed a more friendly and familiar tone
when seated in my waggon, than when surrounded by his people,
said that we, meaning himself and me, must not, while sitting in
public, talk on business of this kind, but must keep it all to ourselves ;
and at the same time he gave me to understand, that it was the
custom in these countries to let the Chief have the first sight of all
beads which were brought for barter, that he might have the option
of being the purchaser of them.

It is evident that their whole conduct and conversation were
directed by the most selfish motives and gave the strongest proof of
a total absence of the nobler sentiments of the mind; while they
presented a picture of the most debasing covetousness and meanness,
the contemplation of which distressed me the more, as it disappointed
my expectations, or at least, my hopes. The feelings which had
induced the Chief to desire that the presents should not be made to
him in public, were of a nature so petty and unworthy, that one is
inclined to think that even a savage would be ashamed to own them:
he told me, that if his friends and attendants were to see how much
he received, they would not cease begging from him, as long as they
knew that he had any thing left. This confession and explanation
portray one characteristic feature of this tribe :—they are all beggars
of the meanest kind. ‘Though, I am willing to admit in their favor,
that I am judging rather severely, because I allow my judgement to
be guided by the feelings of a European; while those of an African,
would acquit them, perhaps entirely, and plead in extenuation, that
the extraordinary rarity and value of the objects in question were a
temptation which might naturally excite in the mind of a poor

3E 2

396 THE GUN.—HOTTENTOT AIRS. 14 Jury,

Bachapin so strong a desire to possess them, that for such men to
yield to it, would be at worst but a veniable fault.

When our meal was quite finished, Serrakitu expressed a wish
that I would leave the waggon and sit on the ground, that Mattivi
might have some further conversation. I therefore seated myself in
the open area: when immediately the chieftains and all who were
admitted within the mootsi, gathered round us. The Chief might
now be considered as sitting in council: the favorite subject of the
gun was then renewed, as being an affair of public importance, and
one in which all the assembly were interested. He said that he had
sent for the oxen, which he intended to give me; and wished me
then to let him have possession of it, instead of obliging him to wait
till the time agreed on. But to this I replied, in a more positive tone
than I had hitherto used, that most certainly it should not go from my
hands till I should be on my return ; and that they ought to content
themselves on the subject, with what I had already consented to do.
The topic was then changed; and soon afterwards the party broke up,
apparently well satisfied with having obtained on any terms the long-
desired object.

By this time the evening had commenced: I retired to my
waggon to relieve, by a few quiet moments, some symptoms of head-
ache created by the wearying noise and debatings of the day; while
many of the Bachapins, among whom were Mollémmi and Molaali,
took their place in the hut, where my Hottentots were dancing to the
sound of Gert’s fiddle.

Gert had now sufficiently regained the use of his hand; and
could play with ease a variety of European country dances which
he had learnt in the Colony. Of the same class, was the music
of my other men; and I am inclined to believe that among the
Colonial Hottentots, their aboriginal airs have given way to those
of the Dutch and English. The music most congenial to a
Hottentot ear, would seem to be, those lively tunes which are best
adapted to dancing ; at least, among all the musicians of this descrip-
tion who were at different times in my service, none ever played any
other kind: nor did I ever hear a Hottentot performing a slow air,

1812. HOTTENTOT DANCING. — PERILOUS SMOKING. 397

or singing to his own performance. In the same manner the ancient
Hottentot dance, which differed little from that of the Bushmen, has
given way to others which have been adopted from the colonists.
That which my own people at this time usually danced, resembled
the reel, in every thing but the steps.

That they who, I knew, were not altogether at their ease, should
now be engaged in this apparently happy manner, was a circumstance
quite unexpected ; but by a little observation, I learnt to consider it,
during my residence among the Bachapins, as in reality nothing more
than an outward manifestation of certain inward uneasy feelings
which were closely connected with fear. This was almost always, I
believe, the true interpretation of their dancing, whenever we were
surrounded by the natives; although at all other times, this occupa-
tion was, as it ought to be, the genuine expression of a state of mind
free from care.

I had scarcely been ten minutes in my waggon, before Mollémmi
came and took his seat on the after-chest, with no other view than
that of passing away time. Muchtnka, who of course came with him,
happened to have a lighted pipe in his hand, which the other took
from him and began to smoke. This gave me the greatest uneasi-
ness, as there was, unknown to him, a large quantity of gunpowder
close to the place where he was sitting; a circumstance which I
feared to mention, lest it should lead to a request for some. I
hinted that as I did not smoke myself, the fumes of tobacco gave me
a head-ache; but he paid no attention to me, and continued to please
himself. At length the pipe being out, he began to talk, and I gave
him a piece of tobacco, saying at the same time that it was for him
to smoke when at home. Notwithstanding that this present was
totally unexpected, he begged for a little more; and on complying
with this, he seemed perfectly satisfied with the gift. His satisfaction
arose principally from having gained by his begging, something over
and above what had been intended for him. Among this people,
covetousness is, as I have just explained, a vice of which even the
highest personages are not ashamed; and, like the other Caffres,
they seem never to think that they have received enough.

398 PRESENTS TO THE CHIEF. 14 Juny,

After the dancing in the hut was ended, Gert came to my
waggon, where I desired him to remain, as I found him sometimes
useful in explaining in the Kora language, some expressions which
Muchunka could not comprehend. Mattivi and Mollémmi being, as
already stated, brothers by the same mother who was a Kora, were,
from this circumstance, both well acquainted with that tongue:
Molaah and Mahitra, in features and figure more resembled the true
Bichuana or Caffre, and being the sons of another woman, were
therefore but half-brothers to the other two. Now it happened, in
this respect fortunately, that Gert by his long residence at Klaarwater,
had acquired some proficiency in the Kora dialect, which was facili-
tated by his own knowledge of the Hottentot language; for he was
thus enabled to rectify several of Muchinka’s interpretations, when the
latter made use of that dialect in explaining what I had said. These
mistakes of my interpreter arose, at this time, both from heedlessness
and from an insufficient acquaintance with the Dutch. Mollémmi,
who professed friendship towards me, declared on this occasion that
he was truly glad that Gert had been able to explain my real meaning,
as it caused him to feel still more my friend than before. He re-
peated the request, that I would allow him and his brothers to have
the first choice of all the beads which I had brought for barter.

When I was again alone, Mattivi came with one of his wives,
to bring me a pot of thick milk, and for which I paid her in
tobacco. I then desired him to come into the waggon, and having
sent for Gert and Muchunka, I showed him the things which I had
brought as a present for himself, independently of the rest of his
family for whom I intended some other articles of less value. .

The present which he received at this time, consisted of, a
quantity of beads of the favorite colors, white, black, and light blue,
and weighing all together nearly five pounds; a small roll of tobacco,
of three pounds ; a brass pocket-tinderbox and steel, made expressly
for lighting a pipe; a sheath-knife; a cotton handkerchief; a snuff-
box; and a gilt chain.

Both in the selection, and in the quantity, of these articles, I was
guided by the advice of the Klaarwater people, who considered them

1812. BACHAPIN MODE OF EXPRESSING THANKS. 399

as forming a very handsome present. I should, otherwise, not have
thought so, and without such advice, should certainly have given
much more; which would have been not only useless generosity, but
would have established a precedent which in time might become a
heavy tax upon every individual who in future might make a journey
into these countries; and those who, because the value is trifling,
make in similar cases larger presents than would be looked for, are
guilty of imprudence in themselves, and of injustice towards all of
their own countrymen who may come after them, and from whom a
tribute, gradually increasing in amount, will be expected, till at
length in the course of years, it may form not so inconsiderable a
part of the expence of a visit to the nations of the Interior, as it
does at present.

With these things, Mattivi was much pleased, as they were all
such, the use and value of which he understood: and it is this con-
sideration which should guide those who wish their presents to be
acceptable. It is certain that he would have preferred the brass
tinderbox to a gold watch; and the sheath-knife, to a case of
mathematical instruments. As the best mode of expressing his
satisfaction and gratitude, if this latter word does not imply too much,
he assured me that all the elephants’ teeth which he could procure,
should be reserved for me when I came again; that he should let
nobody else have them, and that I might therefore depend on having
an opportunity of purchasing as much ivory as my waggons could
carry away.

His ideas respecting my object in coming to Litakun, were
formed upon the visits of missionaries who had made journeys to
this country, two of whom in particular, as I was informed at Klaar-
water, had carried on this species of traffic for ivory with so much
success that one was enabled to purchase a farm in the Colony ;
though the other, who had also made considerable profits, was
unfortunately murdered near the source of the Kruman river.

It is remarkable that in the Sichuana language there is no word
to express thanks; and whenever I desired my interpreter to say to
any of the natives that I thanked them, I often heard him make use

400 MATTIVI'S REASONS FOR BARTERING. 14, 15 Juxy,

of the Dutch word, just as I had spoken it, and then explain what
I meant to declare by it. It would not be an unreasonable sup-
position, were it to be concluded from this circumstance that grati-
tude is not of frequent occurrence among these nations ; they have,
however, a mode of making known the satisfaction they feel at re-
ceiving a gift, by telling the giver that he is mondati (good) or that
pélu % mondati (the heart is good). But it is doubtful whether the
latter expression mean the heart of the giver or of the receiver ; as
either may be supposed with equal propriety.

Mattivi said much more to me, expressive of his satisfaction
and of his good-will towards me, but Muchunka was too lazy, or
too bungling, an interpreter to explain it. He mentioned, that if Gert,
whom he looked upon as my upper-servant, should wish during my
absence, to come back to Litakun to barter, he would always pro-
tect him, and let him have fine oxen, if he would bring his beads to
nobody but himself or Serrakitu, whom the chief called his great
friend.

This unexpected favor, though a mere promise, pleased the
Hottentot so much, that he felt now warmed with gratitude, and
thanked me for having brought him to a place where he met with
so friendly a welcome; for, as he had intended ultimately to make
Klaarwater his place of residence and take a new wife from there,
and had heard the Hottentots of that village talk of the profits they
made by trading at Litakun, he now began to think of doing the same ;
and his timidity actually left him for at least four-and-twenty hours.

I was given to understand, that it was expected I should barter
my beads at this place, and that if I did not, the Chief would think
that I intended taking them to some other town ; an act which would
be highly displeasing to him. I therefore desired the interpreter,
and my own people, to impress the natives with the idea that I had
but a small quantity of beads or tobacco in my waggon. :

I therefore determined on satisfying them to a certain degree, as
far as this bartering could be rendered useful to me on the journey. In
my original plan it was thought necessary, in such an expedition, to
have a double team ; but by the purchase of a second waggon there

1812. MODE OF GAINING TIME FOR WRITING. 401

was now but a single team left for each, and this number was still
further reduced by the loss of two oxen supposed to have been
destroyed by the lions: so that we were obliged to put the same
cattle into the yoke every day ; and, should the country prove moun-
tainous or very sandy, we should be reduced, by want of strength, to
the alternative of proceeding at so slow a rate of travelling, that; in
a region deficient in springs or rivers, we might perish before we could
reach water: and, in addition to these unfavorable chances, we might
occasionally lose an ox by accident er sickness. Another point was
not to be overlooked in calculating the probability of events ; — after
the sheep, of which there were only three remaining, should be con-
sumed, it might happen that we met with no game, or that our
huntings were unsuccessful ; in which case we should be driven to
the necessity of occasionally killing one of our draught-oxen. In
this view of our circumstances, I saw that prudence called upon me
to provide against these chances and to secure the means of prosecut-
ing the long and unknown journey before us.

Under these considerations I saw no objection to bartering away
as much of my stock of beads, as would procure the number of
oxen thus required ; and I sat up till a late hour of the night, taking
advantage of the time when all the natives were asleep, to arrange
my beads and merchandise ready for commencing trade, after having
first submitted them to the inspection of the Chief and his family.

15th. It was only by a stratagem that time could be found for
writing my journal ;—TI ordered my people to keep all strangers
away from my waggon, by telling them that I had been much
fatigued, and that, until I made my appearance in public and the
waggon was thrown open, they were always to suppose that I was
then asleep and must not be disturbed. In the mean time, I was
busily employed in writing in my sleeping-place, the only part where
I could keep myself undiscovered, For, as I remained thus occupied
till noon, Mattivi and several of the chieftains were cunning enough
to suspect that it might be only a trick to keep myself alone; and
they therefore, as they walked by the end of the waggon, peeped in
to ascertain the truth: but when they saw that I was not in my

VOL. ITs 3 F

402 A SPECIMEN OF 15, 16 Jury,

sitting-room, they concluded that I was still really asleep, especially
as I took the utmost care not to make the least noise, nor by any
movement, to cause the waggon to shake.

Having taken out as much of my beads and other goods, as I
judged sufficient for the purpose, I sent for Maté?vi and his brother.
They admired every thing, but the beads pleased them most. After
they had satisfied their curiosity, they sent many others to look at
them.

Among these was Adam, the Bachapin, whose singular history
has been mentioned, who as soon as we were alone, made me the
offer of eight oxen for the purchase of a gun. This of course, I
rejected at once; though I have little doubt that he would readily have
given more. This price may, to a European, sound much above the
value of the article for which it was proposed; but in reality it was
otherwise in this town: because, with only moderate success in hunt-
ing, the owner would soon have repaid himself the quantity of meat
which he had given for it; after which, supposing he.could obtain a
supply of ammunition, it would always provide more ready means of
support than the rearing of cattle, as long as the country abounded
in game. The money which a gun at that time cost in Cape Town,
if employed there in the purchase of beads, would at the usual rate
of barter in these countries, have obtained that number of oxen.
These statements will serve to illustrate Mattivi’s character as dis-
played in the following affair.

In the evening, at the time when all the numerous herds of the
town return home from pasture, the Chief sent for me to come and
sit with him in the circle of his brothers and attendant chieftains.
Unsuspicious of his motive for desiring my presence, I immediately
complied with his request ; but when I had taken my seat, I found
that it was for the purpose of seeing the oxen which he intended to give
me for the gun. This step appeared to be very premature, as it had
been agreed that they were to receive the piece, only after my arrival
at Klaarwater, and I had no expectation that any further transaction
was to take place till then. But I now concluded that their object
was to bind me more surely to the performance of my promise, by

————————

1812. BACHAPIN NEGOTIATION. 403

compelling me to accept, in consideration, something beforehand.
I began to feel that it was likely they would outwit me, by thus forcing
me, either to confess that I did not mean to return again to that
village, or to complete my agreement by giving them the gun before
I left the town.

Soon afterwards, several Bachapins entered the mootsi, driving
before them two oxen, and followed by four men bearing two very
large tusks of ivory. These tusks might probably have weighed
about ninety pounds each, as they were too heavy to be carried by
one man. Mattivi then asked me if I thought the two oxen and the
teeth a satisfactory payment for the gun. I replied, that the ivory
was of no use to me; and besides, that, if he set so little value on
the gun, it would be better that he gave up the idea of having it,
as at all events it would be a long time before I should reach Klaar-
water. This reply caused much earnest consultation among the
members of the council, the purport of which I could not learn.
They broke up soon after this, and nothing further was said on the
subject that evening.

16th. Early in the morning four oxen were produced for my
acceptance. By their following up the affair so closely, and by their
pertinaciously endeavouring to make me receive a payment before-
hand, I perceived that their intention was to establish a claim to have
immediate possession of their purchase. I had now put it out of my
power to break off the negotiation by a peremptory refusal to part
with any of my arms; because I had consented, though under a re-
mote condition, to let them have a musket. There was no plea left,
by which I could save my gun, but that of objecting to the price ; and
though it was barely probable that they would relinquish it on that
account, I should at least gain, as some compensation, a greater
strength in oxen, a point on which no small share of our future

safety and success depended: for, to have hinted that it was in-

tended as a present, would leave me no excuse for withholding it
when it should be discovered that I was not returning to the place
appointed for receiving it. This plea, they must have been well
aware, might now be urged on reasonable grounds.

oF

404 SERIOUS DISPUTE, — ALARMING APPEARANCES. 16 JuLy,

On my objecting therefore to the four oxen, as being but half
its value, they replied that they had learnt from the people of Klaar-
water that a musket might be purchased in the Colony for that price.
They appeared however resolved to have it on their own terms; and
there is little doubt that they were emboldened to act in this manner,
by observing the symptoms of fear which the looks and behaviour
of my own men, had, from the first hour of our arrival, but more
especially during these transactions, too visibly betrayed.

Mattivi and his chieftains now appeared in serious debate ;
while I sat in the midst of them, totally ignorant of what resolutions
they were forming. At this moment Speelman, Philip, and Gert,
came, and in great trepidation, begged me to leave the circle. I saw
so much alarm in their countenances, that I was led to suppose that
they had overheard the council proposing violent measures; and
I therefore rose and walked with them to the waggon. They
entreated me to give up the point in dispute, as they saw clearly,
they said, that it was bringing us into danger. Muchunka and Adam
strongly advised that I should not reject what was offered, but rather
let them have the gun at any price, as it was to be feared that other-
wise bad consequences might ensue.

Whether this advice was well-founded or not, I had no time for
examining ; but as I perceived at this instant, reason for believing that
my men would desert me if I increased their alarm by pushing the
affair farther, I desired the interpreter to tell the assembly that
although I considered the gun as worth much more than the price
at which they had rated it, yet, as I desired nothing so much as their
friendship, I should dispute with them no longer on the subject.
To this, moved, as I supposed, by the conciliatory manner in which
I spoke, they replied that six oxen should be given.

Immediately they all rose; and Mattivi then said, he should
wish to see the gun fired off. This was a request which I could find
no pretext for refusing, although I saw too clearly that all these
transactions were tending towards a point which I was endeavouring
to avoid; that of getting it into their possession before the time
which had been agreed on.

1812. MATTIVI UNJUSTLY TAKES AWAY THE GUN. 405

We therefore proceeded to an open place on the outside of the
town, attended by a numerous crowd of spectators. A part of my
men being left to guard the waggons, I ordered the rest to follow
me with their muskets loaded. When the gun in question was dis-
charged, the Chief desired that the others might also be fired.

In complying with this request, the one which had been loaded
by Stuurman, could not by any means be made to explode ; and on
examination it was found that he had rammed in the cartridge with
the ball downwards. A failure of this kind, while exhibiting to the
natives the power of our arms, was the more unlucky, as it led them
to believe that my party was not entirely composed of men who
were properly skilled in the use of them; for they watched all our
motions with the most prying attention.

Mattivi then requested that Molaala might be allowed to fire
off one of the guns. Neither could this be refused ; but as soon as
he had discharged it, instead of returning it to the Hottentot, as it
was not the musket which had been intended for him, he was ordered
by the Chief to take it home to his house. At so flagrant an act
of bad faith, I loudly expressed my dissatisfaction, as it was an open
breach of our agreement; but he, in his turn, pretended to be
equally dissatisfied with me for wishing to detain what he had now
bought and made his own; the whole party at the same time crying
out, that they ought not to give it out of their possession. At this
moment I felt exceedingly irritated at their conduct, so deficient in
honor and every just principle ;. but I suppressed my feelings as well
as I was able, since a glance at the crowd and at my own men, showed
me too truly that I was completely in their power, and that my gun
was irrecoverably gone. They must have read in my countenance,
what I thought of their dealings; but they walked away, exulting in
the success of their cunning, and even, perhaps, inwardly proud of
their superiority over a white-man in this essential qualification, the
possession of which seems in their eyes, and, I am ashamed to con-
fess, in the eyes of many Europeans, to constitute a man of talents.

Although the state of my feelings at this time rendered me but
little disposed to have further dealings with them; yet as the state

406 BARTERING BEADS FOR OXEN. 16 Jury,

of theirs was of the opposite kind, and all were delighted at having
at last obtained a gun, there was on their side no dissatisfaction or
irritation against me. As it would have been useless, and, perhaps,
not good policy, to have explained the true object of my visit to
their country, they conceived that all business which now remained
for me to do, was to proceed with the bartering ; and as it was known
that the beads had been exhibited with this view, they now called
upon me to bring them forward.

In the mode of managing such business, I submitted to the in-
structions of Muchunka, who was acquainted with the practice usually
adopted by the Klaarwater Hottentots, and who directed that the
canvass covering of one of the waggons should be extended on the
ground in the middle of the public enclosure, and the beads laid out
upon it in parcels. I had, during my residence in the Transgariepine,
learnt the usual relative value of beads at Litakun, and had taken
care to expose no more than would be sufficient for the purchase
of oxen enough for one team, which I judged would be as many as
my present exigences required.

Neither the chief nor any of his brothers were inclined to barter,
notwithstanding their eagerness to have the first sight of the beads.
Serrakutu brought a large elephant’s tusk for exchange, although I
had expressly declared that it was oxen, and not ivory, which I wanted.
He therefore took this home again; but brought nothing further to
market. Adam, who knew the value of all my goods, took a quan-
tity, for which he agreed to bring me six oxen on the following day ;
but when he showed the purchase to his father who had promised to
give him the required oxen, he was ordered by him to demand more
beads in addition to the quantity which had been bargained for. As
such a mode of trading would, I foresaw, produce endless disputes,
should this be taken as a precedent by the other inhabitants, I re-
fused to make any alteration after an agreement had been made, and
therefore took back the beads. The Chief and all his party, together
with a crowd of lookers-on, were present the whole time. Mattivi
begged for a knife, and Serrakutu did the same; but this was.done
privately. I afterwards complied with their wishes, but enjoined them

1812. TEACHERS OF SICHUANA. 407

not to mention that it had been given to them. The former, seeing
some loose beads lying on the canvass, greedily scraped them up and
gave them to one of his sons.

This market lasted about an hour and a half, and though I of-
fered at least twice as much beads for an ox, as were usually obtained
from the Hottentots, yet not more than two oxen were actually
purchased. This apparent disinclination to barter, did not arise
from any deficiency of oxen among them, or from any want of
desire to possess my beads; but, as I afterwards had reason for
suspecting, froma hope of thus compelling me to part with fire-arms
and ammunition, in return for oxen which they knew to be essen-
tially necessary to my progress.

The remaining goods were then put again into the chest, and
I retired to my waggon, where I was soon afterwards visited by the
Chief. He brought with him a calabash of milk, intended, as I
supposed, for a peace-offering, as he gave it me without demanding
any thing in payment. I offered him, however, the usual piece of
tobacco; which he very readily accepted. He, on his part, had
no cause for being out of temper; but as he knew that I had, he
seemed desirous of testifying his good-will towards me; and sat in
the waggon above an hour, which he spent chiefly in teaching me
Sichuana. |

We were joined by other chieftains, who also took amusement
in giving me lessons in their language. These people were always
found to be very ready to render me service of this kind, and much
pleased when they had taught me any new word or expression; but
they never forgot at the end of it, to request a piece of tobacco.
In begging for any trifling gift or remuneration, they never asked for
sikhaka (beads); these being considered more especially as money,
to be employed only as the medium of trade with distant tribes, and
for the purchase of the more expensive articles; while muchiko
and lishuéna (tobacco and snuff) being consumable merchandise, are,
though highly valued, regarded as a less important species of property.

I had sufficient reason for admiring one of the customs of the
Bachapins ; that, notwithstanding they never at anv other time left

408 ATTEMPTS TO OBTAIN ANOTHER GUN. 16 Jury,

me alone, they always retired the moment my dinner or breakfast
was brought tome. This gave me a few moments’ relief from the
fatigue of incessant conversation ; for, when one person was satisfied
with seeing and hearing me, another came and took his place: and
this routine, with scarcely any intervals, continued from the time I
rose in the morning, till the hour at night when they retired to sleep.

In the evening Mollémmi wished me to see some oxen which
he had brought for the purchase of another gun. I was now forced
to declare most positively, that I would not give up any more arms ;
and refused even to look at the oxen, though he entreated me in a
submissive and friendly tone, to see what fine cattle he had selected
for me. As I had experienced the unpleasant consequences of entering
into any conversation on the subject, I resolved to make a trial of the
efficacy of silence. After having once pronounced the refusal, I gave
no further opinion; I made not the least reply to his remarks. In this
mode of treating the business, I persisted, with an unshaken ob-
stinacy, in spite of the most teasing solicitation ; and was extremely
happy to perceive that it produced the desired effect.

The chieftains who were now assembled as before, said nothing
on this occasion ; and both Mattivi and Mollémmi at length appeared
to relinquish the demand. They even confessed that they were so
much pleased at having obtained one, that they would not again make
mention of another, as they saw that more could not be spared.
Mattivi now repeated, that other white-men had promised his father a
gun, but that, as I was the only person who had let them have one,
he by this could perceive that I was a very great chief; and there-
fore, that he would in future trade with no one but me and my
people ; that he would sell the ivory to nobody else ; but would save
it all for me, when I came again. There then followed much more
nonsense of this kind; and after I had heard enough to convince me
that it had no meaning, I rose and left the circle.

But the piicho or assembly remained sitting in easy conversation
for nearly an hour longer. At these assemblies or councils, Mattivi,
Serrakitu, and Mollémmi, took their turns in presiding; or rather —
in conducting, and more especially attending to, the debate: for the

1812. - THE PIICHO OR ASSEMBLY. — SPIES. 409

chief himself must at all times have been the real president, though
I am not able to state the rules by which the members of the piicho,
and the officiating president, are guided in giving their opinions and
in managing the business of the meeting.

Besides a nightly watch of six or seven Bachapins stationed
round the outside of Mattivi’s cattle-enclosure, four of his servants
came every night to sleep in the Hottentots’ hut; so that these
poor fellows were as much tormented by company, as their master.
No sooner had they filled a pipe and put it to their mouth, than one
or other of the natives cried out, Lee ki rdki ! * (Give me smoke !)
to which I advised them to answer, Bd-pélu (Wait a little); an
expression, of which I was myself obliged to make frequent use.

But they found it impossible, by any artifice, to save their tobacco ;
and at last, to conceal it, they resolved to leave off all smoking in
their presence. This they mentioned to me as a most distressing
grievance ; and though I could not sympathize in these feelings, I
pitied them for their sufferings under this privation, which, to a
Hottentot, I knew could not be a trifling restraint.

In addition to this, I saw the necessity of imposing on them
another restriction, by desiring them to be circumspect in what they
said to each other ; as it appeared to me that the four men, who slept
in their hut, were placed there as spies upon us. One of them,
named Champdni, had paid frequent visits to Klaarwater, and had
lived among those Hottentots till he had acquired a knowledge of
Dutch, sufficient to enable him to understand the general tenor of
our conversation, and to express himself intelligibly.

But this restraint on their smoking was not their greatest incon-
venience: their fear had been so strongly excited by the violent
debates respecting the gun, that they all confessed themselves to feel
very uneasy at this place and ardently to desire to return home.
Some even ventured to hint, in an indirect manner, that they did not
intend to go farther northwards. This confession, or the last part of

* The word roki is probably a corruption of the Dutch word rooken, ‘ to smoke,’
which they may have learnt from the Hottentots.

VOL. II. O16

410 THE LICHAKA, OR REED-PIPE. 16, 17 Juty,

it, I could not but consider as a circumstance of serious importance ;
and although it made on me a deep impression, I affected not to heed
or understand it. I took no other notice, than merely replying that,
we had much farther to go before we should turn our faces towards
the Cape.

Among the most timid of my men, was Platje: he was exceed-
ingly anxious to quit this place. It was not, he said, fear, which
made him so anxious, though his looks plainly proved the contrary ;
but he felt his heart beat to see his wife and his dear children again,
whom he had left in the Sneeuwbergen ; that after having been so
long in a wild country, he thought it time to return home; and that
if we did not make haste to re-cross the Great-River, the drooge-tyd
(dry season) would be gone by, and we should find that stream impas-
sable for many months.

17th. The Chief, now considering that the important affair of
the gun was brought to a conclusion, dedicated the whole of this day,
from seven in the morning till five in the afternoon, to dancing. As
no intimation had been given me, that such an amusement was about
to take place, I was surprised when awakened by the sound of music;
and on looking out of my waggon I saw the Chief and a number of
his party, standing together tuning their pipes ready for a concert.

These pipes, which they call /ichakd, are simply reeds * of various
sizes and lengths, tuned to concord generally by means of a small
moveable plug in the lower end, and having their upper. end, or
mouth, cut transversely. This mouth is placed against the under
lip, and the sound is produced by blowing into them, in the manner
of a Pan’s-reed. In order to keep the pipe steady, the forefinger
rested above the upper lip, and the thumb against the cheek, while
the other three fingers held the reed to its place. Each performer
had but one pipe, and consequently was master of only one note of
the scale; although at the same time, there were among them, several
pipes in unison; and it seemed, that those notes of the gamut which

* From the common reed (Arundo barbata) which grows in their rivers.

1812. A BACHAPIN CONCERT, AND DANCE. 411

were most likely to have produced discords, were rejected from this
band. Between the highest and lowest pipe, there might, I imagined,
be comprised an interval of twelve notes.

I saw no other instrument but the lichaka; nor were these used
by any but the dancers themselves, each of whom was furnished with
one; and which he sounded frequently though irregularly. In this
music I could discover no particular air; neither was it possible for
me to write it down; as many notes were heard at the same time,
joining in, perhaps merely accidentally, or without any preconcerted
order. It must not, from these remarks, be concluded that this peopie
are insensible to harmony and melody: a sufficient proof to the
contrary will be found in another place. By the dancers keeping
time in their movements, a certain cadence was now and then
perceptible in their music; but, excepting this, no regularity could
be distinguished in their performance; although I doubt not that
their ear guided them in some manner, as the general effect of
this music was pleasing and harmonious. It was not of a sprightly
cast, nor noisy, neither was it sluggish or heavy ; but possessed some-
thing agreeably soothing, which prevented it, though continued with
little intermission for ten hours, from wearying the ear. As there
was in it no particular tune to be listened to, it seldom obtruded
itself with a force which could distract the attention from other
subjects. The effect of this concert, considered abstractly as musical
sound, was very similar to that which in England may be felt on
hearing, while at a little distance, the country-waggons passing along
the road with a full team of well-tuned ‘ latten bells ;’ than which,
few mixtures of sounds not constituting regular music, can, I think,
be more pleasing.

When the dancers, who were all men, had tuned their reeds, they
formed themselves into a ring, which sometimes consisted of about
thirty persons, and at others, of not more than ten or twelve, accord-
ing to the inclination of those who joined or left the party; but
without attention to any observable order, or to any pre-arranged
figure. The ring was drawn as closely together as their number
would conveniently allow; but each person danced separate without

3G 2

412 THE KAVAKLUSI.— MOVEMENTS OF THE DANCERS. 17 Juty,

any attempt at a particular step or acquired movement of the feet ;
nor at any time did they join hands. In this form they moved round
in a body, keeping time together, by the assistance of a small party of
women and girls, who, without joining in the dance, followed them
round, and regulated their steps by clapping hands in exact measure ;
but without singing or any other noise.

The number of women engaged in this, was not more than six or
seven. Neither these nor the dancers were ornamented or dressed
in any manner different from that in which they usually appeared.

The most of the men wore their kobo, placed so as to cover only
one shoulder, a style of wearing, usual in warm weather, and which
their present exercise required. ‘The grease and sibilo with which
their heads were decorated, melted with the warmth, and frequently
ran down their face in drops. Some of them carried in their hand a
very long Kavéklist, which they occasionally used to wipe off the
moisture from their face or neck.

This Kavaklist * is formed of two or three jackals’ tails joined
together in length, by a stick of about four feet long thrust through
them in the place of the bone. This stick, which must cost much
labor to form, is generally taken from the heart of the Mokaala-tree
or camel-thorn, as that part of the wood is extremely hard and of a
fine black color.

Although the dancers moved briskly, the ring itself turned but
slowly ; so that it made not more than one round in a minute.
Sometimes after a round or two, it moved back again with a contrary
motion; keeping, however, always on the same spot. A number of
people, above a hundred besides women and children, were in the
mootsi during this performance: some stood looking on; but the
greater part sat at a distance, or walked about.

* Sometimes pronounced Kéba-klisi: it is also called Kaava-pukéli (jackal’s tail).
The Bushmen, as already described (at page 57.), apply the tail of this animal to the same
use. The pitkoli or piikoji is the Canis mesomelas ; the klisi is another species which has
a yellower or redder fur, and may probably be the Cands aureus ; but this I do not affirm,
as the klusi was never shot by any of our party, during our trayels in the Transgariepine,

1812. REMARKS ON DANCING. 413

Mattivi and Mollemmi were among the most constant dancers ;
but the whole party rested themselves at frequent intervals of two or
three minutes. In this manner, and without any variation, they con-
tinued the amusement during the whole day. The pleasure which
they derived from it, seemed to have more the nature of soothing
enjoyment, than of mirth. Laughter was rarely to be observed, and
talking was as seldom heard among those who were engaged in the
dance. The women and children seemed to take equal delight in the
scene, though merely spectators.

Dancing appears to have been in all ages of the world, and
perhaps in all nations, a custom so natural, so pleasing, and even
useful, that we may readily conclude that it will continue to exist
as long as mankind shali continue to people the earth. We see
it practised as much by the savage as by the civilized; as much by the
lowest as by the highest classes of society: and as it is a recreation
purely corporeal, and perfectly independent of mental qualification
or refinement, all are equally fitted for enjoying it: it is this, probably,
which has occasioned it to become universal. All attempts therefore
at rendering any exertion of the mind necessary to its performance,
are an unnatural distortion of its proper and original features. Grace
and ease of motion are the extent of its perfection; because these
are the natural perfections of the human body. Every circumstance
and object by which man is surrounded may be viewed in a philoso-
phic light ; and thus viewed, dancing appears to be a recreative mode
of exercising the body and keeping it in health, the means of shaking
off spleen, and of expanding one of the best characters of the heart,
—the social feeling. Where it does not effect this, the fault
is not in the dance, but in the dancer: a perverse mind makes all
things like itself! Dancing and music, which appear to be of equal
antiquity and equally general among mankind, are connected together
only by acommunity of purpose: what one is for the body, the other
is for the mind.

While affairs were thus going on smoothly, I took the oppor-
tunity of sending some of my men out to hunt, as our provisions
were nearly exhausted, and no food of any kind was to be purchased

414 SCARCITY OF FOOD.— THE HUNTERS’ ATTENDANTS. 17 Juy,

at Litakun. Having barely enough for their own necessities, the
inhabitants were very unwilling to part with any; and the fact is
remarkable that, during the whole of my residence at this town, and
of my travels in the country of the Bichuanas, I never once could
purchase of the natives, corn enough for my party, for a single
meal. We could procure nothing but milk; and this not in so large
a quantity as we required. The cow which was presented to me by ~
Mattivi for slaughter, was totally eaten up in three days ; the greater
portion having been consumed by his own servants and other inhabi-
tants, who, by incessant begging, compelled my men to give them
meat, both for themselves while they sat with us, and for their
families when they went home.

The hunters returned with a paala and a springbuck; a part of
which was given to some natives who accompanied them. Juli had
shot one paala and was pursuing another ; but during the short time
he was absent on this pursuit, and while employed in skinning and
cutting up the second into loads for each of the Bachapigs who
attended them, the vultures, which were found to be excessively
numerous about Litakun, had discovered the first, and had devoured
all the best part of the meat and so much lacerated the rest, that
nothing remained worth the trouble of bringing home.

Their attendants, when the animal was shot, were exceedingly
delighted at seeing it fall: they admired the power of the musket,
that it could bring down the game at so great a distance, when com-
pared with their own hassagay ; and expressed their pleasure in the
most animated manner. On such occasions, these people were always
most ready to lend their assistance; but it is to be regretted that
their conduct would not suffer us to believe that they did so from the
pure motive of obliging us: their willingness was far from being ~
disinterested ; for they often laid claim to a larger share of the game
than we thought proper to allow them. They were, however, always
so well paid for their trouble, that we were never in want of
attendants.

At sunset when all the cattle of the town came home, the Chief
called me to look at two oxen which he offered for the purchase of

1812. FURTHER DISPUTES RESPECTING 'THE GUN. 415

ammunition. In his eagerness to get possession of the gun, he had
quite forgotten the requisite accompaniments of powder and ball;
and now, on reflection, found that he had been in too great a haste.
On my part, I considered the result of my attempt to obtain oxen by
barter with beads, to be a serious disappointment; as the prospect of
my journey, showed me the necessity of recruiting my teams, before I
- advanced into countries where the means of obtaining any addition to
them, might perhaps not be found. I had not been able to purchase
more than two oxen; and under these circumstances I gave up all
idea of making Mattivi a present of the gun, and which, indeed, he
had, by his fraudulent conduct, so little deserved.

I therefore determined to accept his offer of oxen in payment ;
and, as I began to suspect, by his bringing these two oxen as a temp-
tation to give him ammunition before he had produced the promised
equivalent for the gun, that he meant to leave that subject at rest
altogether, I now asked him where were those oxen. To this he
replied, that they should be brought on the morrow: but, instead of
the Sic he had promised before he had the musket in his pos-
session, it was now discovered that he intended me to have only four.

I saw that he was evidently taking advantage of the weakness of
my party, and that he supposed I should on that account submit to
any terms which he might propose. I foresaw, that if he succeeded
in a first step, he would take a second, and thus advance till affairs
became serious; and that, if a character of non-resistance preceded
us in the journey, every petty chieftain we should meet would know
that he might plunder us with safety. I considered, too, that as the
Bachapins derived from direct and indirect communication with the
Colony, great mercantile advantages over their more northern neigh-
_ bours, they would not readily be induced to forfeit these, by pro-
ceeding to extremities with me and my party. These reasons
convinced me that a resolute opposition to encroachment, and a
determination not to be intimidated, were the safest and most prudent
measures that could now be adopted.

I therefore gave the Chief and his council to understand what
were my sentiments respecting their present mode of dealing with a

416 ALARMING ASPECT OF AFFAIRS, 17 Jury,

stranger who came in friendship to visit them ; and, without waiting
till the interpreter had finished his duty, I rose from the circle and
retired to my waggon, declaring, that as they had taken the gun from
me against my consent, they might now keep it as their own; but
that, for myself, I should instantly quit their country. These words,
which were understood by Champani, and perhaps by several others
who were present, were immediately communicated to them, and to
all who were then in the enclosure, the number of which was about
a hundred.

The whole mootsi was now a scene of debate; and every coun-
tenance became serious. ‘The assembly broke up; and Mattivi seated
himself with a small party in one corner of the enclosure. My own
men, fearing the worst consequences, came round me, and earnestly
entreated me rather to allow the affair to take any course which the
natives might desire, than to irritate a people, who had it in their
power to put us all to death before the morning. My interpreter
anxiously begged me to desist from further contention, as he knew
not what might be the result. Speelman, in the greatest trepidation,
declared, that could he have foreseen that I should ever have brought
my people into so dangerous a situation, he would never have
engaged himself for the journey.

Mattivi’s brothers and sons, with several others, continued
passing to and fro before the waggon, anxiously looking in as they
walked by, to discover what were my movements or what steps I
appeared about to take; as, it seems, they were apprehensive that I
should give orders for leaving the town immediately. Had I done
this, they would have been in a state of great hesitation, respecting
the measures they were to adopt; whether to detain me, which act
they feared would put an end to all future confidence between
them and the Colony; or whether to allow me to depart, by which
they would have lost all further advantages from my visit. As they
passed, I could read disappointment and uncertainty in their coun-
tenances: but this, my men construed in a very different manner.

Gert, Speelman, and Muchunka were, in the greatest agitation,
giving me their advice, when Mollemmi, having Champani with him,

1812. CONCILIATORY EXPLANATIONS. 417

came and seated himself on the after-chest of the waggon. He
seemed dejected, and said nothing. I repeated, that he must be aware
that taking advantage of a stranger who visited them as a friend, was
not the way in which I ought to be received; and that they had not
rested from their endeavours, till they had taken from me that which
they knew I did not wish to give up. At last he replied, that
Mattivi and all the people were much distressed at hearing that I
thought they meant to take the gun from me in any unfriendly
manner. They were yesterday rejoiced at finding that they had at
length gotten into their possession, that which they had so much
wished for; but now they were sad, because they saw me displeased.
He had long meditated on accompanying me back to Cape Town ;
but now he felt great disappointment, as he feared that I should
give our Chief an unfavorable opinion of his nation; which would
prevent his intended journey. .

So submissive and unexpected a confession, I looked upon as the
termination of our dispute, since my only object in acting as I had
done, was, not to recover my gun, nor to obtain a greater number of
oxen, but to give a check to a growing spirit of intimidation and
imposition, which I feared would, if not timely prevented, occasion
us serious difficulties.

I replied; unless men acted according to their promise and
agreement, it would be impossible for me ever to rely on their word ;
that as I came to Litakun as a friend, I wished, and hoped, to leave
it as one; that I desired nothing more earnestly than to be on good
terms with every body, and that I should be sorry if Mattivi did not
feel equally friendly towards me: and to convince him that I still was
desirous of his friendship, and ready to gratify his wishes as far as it
was in my power, I would make him a present of as much powder
and ball as I could safely spare; and that, with respect to the subject
in dispute, I should leave him to his own conscience to do whatever
he thought just and right, and should urge that affair no farther ; for,
if the Bachapins really cared for the good opinion of the white-people,
I was certain that they would in every respect act fairly in their
dealings with me.

VOL. II. 3H

418 CONVERSATION WITH MATTIVI. 17 Juty,

Immediately Mollemmi went to the Chief, and communicated
this to him. They both returned together, and took their seat in the
waggon. Mattivi commenced the conversation by saying, that I had
made him and his people exceedingly happy by letting them have a
gun; that I had done more for him than any one had ever done
before. He here repeated all the remarks which he had already made
on this subject. He now said that he would give me the six oxen he
had first promised ; but, as if to excuse the unfairness of his conduct,
he assured me that he was just at this time very poor in cattle, having
given away a great number to Massao’s son, who, having been lately
robbed of all his own, had come to him in much distress to beg relief:
I could not ascertain whether this act of generosity which he pleaded,
were really a fact ; but the matter is so improbable, that I always
doubted the truth of this assertion ; especially as the plea of poverty
must have been totally unfounded, if one might rely on common
report for the number of large herds which he possessed. He ex-
pressed thanks for the ammunition which I intended to give him; and
wished to have it on the next morning, as his people, he said, had put
off the grand hunt until they should have obtained the gun and powder.
I again told him how desirous I was of being always on good terms with
him and the Bachapins, whom I had come so far to see. He answered ;
that he should have felt very sorry if I had suddenly left his country,
as he had hoped that I should remain a long time with them; that it
gave him great pleasure to observe the friendly treatment which
many of his people received from my men, in being allowed to sit at
their fire and partake of their meat ; that he would not have suffered
them to importune us and trouble us as they did, but it was not in
his power to keep them away. This last remark only served to con-
vince me that the men who had fastened themselves upon us, and
continued almost constantly day and night in the hut, were there
not only by his permission, but by his orders. ‘The white-men, he
said, were great people, but he was only a Bachapin; and it would
exceedingly distress him to have their displeasure. As he had a
great number of servants, he would order some to remain in the
mootsi to assist us in fetching water and to go out with my hunters

1812. TRANQUILLITY RESTORED. 419

to carry home the game for ‘ them: if he had here added ‘ selves’
his meaning would have been better expressed; but he explained
it sufficiently when he confessed that he was glad to see how kind
we were to his people in giving them part of what we shot. He
concluded by saying, that he would let his brothers accompany my
Hottentots in their hunts, that they might learn rightly the use of
the gun.

This conversation elucidates a prominent part of Mattivi’s cha-
racter: as far as it expressed promises beneficial to his visitors, it
meant nothing; but where it implied any thing for his own benefit,
it was sincere. He appeared to me to be selfish in a high degree,
and cunning without sufficient depth of policy to conceal it: it
required but little discernment to see the real meaning of all he said
and did. Had he been a man of talent or reflection, he either, would
not have given me palpable cause for complaint and remonstrance, or
he would not have employed such weak arguments in defence of his
conduct, or used so thin a veil to conceal his true motives.

This favorable turn of, what my men considered to be, the crisis
of our fate, rendered them so happy, that they gave themselves up
this evening to a greater share of cheerfulness, and even of mirth,
than I had witnessed in them since we came among this nation. ‘Till
now, all of them had appeared full of thought and anxiety, talking
no longer in their usual tone of voice, but speaking only in a low
timid manner which betrayed how much they desired to be away
from this people. In the hut, they passed the evening in friendly
familiarity with those who came to sit by their fire. The sound of
the fiddle was heard, but instead of dancing, laughter indicated more
truly that their minds were at ease.

The natives, after having just beheld a storm gathering over
themselves and us, were, I believe, not sorry at finding it disperse
without harm. ‘They seemed to associate with us in a more cordial
manner; and even took one or two of the Hottentots, with whom
they had formed a more particular acquaintance, to their houses,
where they remained a great part of the evening. These, at their
return, reported that they had been kindly treated, and had ex-
perienced, what must be considered as, great and unusual hospitality

3H 2

420 A BACHAPIN HUNT IN THE 18 Jury,

among Bachapins, having been entertained with milk and corn. It
could not, however, be said that more than the half of my party had
thus banished their fears: the others, though less uneasy than before,
were evidently not in a state of tranquillity.

18th. Early in the morning, before I had risen, the promised
oxen were delivered over to my men; and had been driven out to
pasture along with my own cattle. Mattivi had, I found, now given
me two more than I had expected ; one as a present, with the same
intention with which he had at first given me the cow ; for slaughter:
the other as a return for the gunpowder. I gave him to understand
that the last was not due to me, as the powder was meant as a free
gift; but he replied, that what he had once given, he could never
receive back again; and that to return it to him, would bean affront.

The Chief had issued orders for about five hundred of his people
to commence the great hunt early in the morning. These spread
themselves over the plains to the distance of several miles, and by
preconcerted arrangement according to their custom, encircled an
extensive tract of country, driving all the wild animals which hap-
pened to be thus enclosed, towards the town.

These were but few, and consisted only of paalas, springbucks
called ¢sépi in the Sichuana language, zebras, and buffaloes ;~ all
which were thus made so exceedingly wild, that the Hottentots had
no opportunity of shooting more than four springbucks; and pro-
bably the natives did not kiil so many.

My own men, of whom I allowed no more than Speelman,
Philip, Juli, Gert, and Cornelis, to go, were looked up to as the
principal hunters on this occasion, and were each attended by a
separate party, one of whom was generally employed to carry their
gun in order to save them that fatigue. From this, we may see
the inconsistency and imprudence of these Hottentots: they, who
at other times believed there was reason for dreading that. these
natives would murder them, were now so thoughtless as to put into
their hands the power of accomplishing such a purpose, and voluntarily
to give up the only means by which they might defend their lives.

Speelman was attended by Mollemmi with Mattivi’s gun. The

1812, PLAINS EASTWARD FROM LITAKUN. 421

former having with the same ball, as he said, killed one springbuck
and wounded another, which also fell, Mollemmi immediately fired
at it, and declared that it was he who had brought it down; although
the other natives, who were of that party, honestly owned that the
animal belonged to the Hottentot. But Speelman was wise enough
to give up both the honor and his claim, when he found the other
inclined so obstinately to persist in asserting that they were due to
him.

The Bachapins proved on this occasion, that in any emergency
they can run with great swiftness, or, as my men expressed it, like
horses ; but that they are unable to continue long at that pace, and
are, in this qualification, perhaps, much inferior to the Bushmen,
who have greatly the advantage by being lighter and smaller in
person.

The field of their hunting was at a considerable distance east-
ward from the town, where the country was found to be a boundless
grassy plain, which my men, who were separated from each other,
traversed in different directions, and every where met with strong
‘springs of water, one of which they reported to be nearly as copious
as the Klibbolikhonni. This tract is still a continuation of the Great
Plains before described, and extends, as I afterwards learnt, above a
day’s journey in this direction. The Hottentots saw grazing in
different parts, innumerable herds of oxen, which were much larger
and finer than any we had seen in the Chief’s cattle-pound in the
town; and they were inclined to believe that those which had been
given to me in the morning, were some of the worst which he
possessed.

Mattivi and his attendants, who had also been on the hunt, came
home again at noon: he employed himself during the rest of the
day, in making handles for hatchets, such as have been already re-
presented. The main body of the hunters, many of whom were
exceedingly fatigued, and my own men, did not return till the
evening.

I was myself compelled to remain at home by the waggons ; as
it would have been highly imprudent to have laid temptation in the

4922 A ROBBERY. — EFFECTS OF EXCESSIVE FEAR. 18 Juty,

way of the inhabitants, who finding them unguarded might not have
been able to resist so favorable an opportunity for purloining some-
thing: for, of the four men whom I kept in town, three were utterly
incapable, through fear, of taking any charge; and so just were my
suspicions, that it was discovered the next morning, that every button
had been cut from off all the Hottentots’ great-coats which were left
in the hut under the care of Van Roye, Platje, Keyser, and Stuur-
man. This we supposed to have been done by women and children,
as many of them had frequented the enclosure in the course of the
day: but whether by women or by men, it was evident that they
were tempted by the absence or carelessness of those who ought to
have watched over them.

Did a Hottentot possess the netions of a European, I should
not have been sorry at this robbery, because it would have made him
more careful in future; and the inconvenience of a buttonless coat
would have daily reminded him of his neglect, and have taught him
a useful lesson. But his apathy gives him quite another character,
and renders him insensible to any stimulus of this kind: what he
has lost, he never thinks of afterwards; and rather than burden his
mind with any new or additional care, he is content to take the
chance of another loss, considering himself to be greatly the gainer
if he escape robbery the next time.

Platje, Andries, and Keyser were so completely subdued by their
fears, that they never spoke, not only to the natives, but even not
to their companions. While at the town, they concealed themselves
in the hut all day, and manifested so distressing a state of timidity
that they attracted the notice of the inhabitants. Mollemmi asked
us why they were so much afraid: They have not, said he, any occa-
sion to be so; we shall do them no harm.

As soon as the hunters had set out this morning, the rest of
my men whom I had ordered to remain with me at the waggons,
deserted me; or at least, I found myself left the whole day in the
town with no one near me but Stuurman and Andries, mere boys.
On inquiring for the others, they informed me that Platje was so
‘much in dread that the inhabitants, for the sake of plundering the

1812. STATE OF THE PARTY. — THE KHAAKA. 493

wageons, would come and murder the few who remained with them,
that he had taken his musket and gone away, intending to pass the
day out of the town, with Keyser, who was tending our cattle at
pasture. Van Roye was not less penetrated with fear; as his looks
too clearly betrayed: he had in the same manner absconded till the
evening.

Such was the state of the Hottentots, at this time. In Juli, no
undue, or unreasonable, fears had hitherto been observed; and I
viewed his steadiness and general conduct, with a satisfaction which
was increased by contrasting him with the others. In talking with
him on this subject, he confessed that, on the first appearance of bad
intentions towards us, on the part of the natives, it was much to be
feared that every man of my party, excepting Speelman and Philip,
would run away and leave us to defend ourselves. ‘This was precisely
my own opinion; and I derived, therefore, some pleasure from this
proof of his discernment; and some consolation from the assurance
that I had at least three men who would stand by the waggons in time
of danger; for, although Speelman had once or twice shown some
symptoms of timidity, I had sufficient confidence in his attachment,
to believe that he would not desert me at such a time. Neither
Philip nor Juli had betrayed any want of real courage.

I observed the skin of a very extraordinary animal lying on the
hedge of Mattivi’s cattle-enclosure, placed there, as I was told, to pre-
serve the cattle from the evil effects of sorcery. The name of it was
khaakdé : it was of the genus Manis, but whether the pentadactyla, or a
new species, | could not at that time determine; because the feet,
head, and tail had been cut off, and the descriptions contained in the
books of my travelling library, were too imperfect to assist in the
decision. I neglected describing it from the mutilated skin, having
no doubt of procuring afterwards the complete animal; but in this
expectation I was disappointed, as it is not only a scarce creature, but
one which it is very difficult to secure. This skin was two feet long,
and covered with scales an inch and a half broad, of an obtuse or
roundish form, the outward edge of which was very sharp.

The sum of all the information which I could obtain from the

494 BACHAPIN ACCOUNT OF THE KHAAKA. 18, 19 Juty,

natives respecting the khdakd, is, — that by day it lives generally in
holes in the ground, in the same manner as the Takkarti*, but does
not burrow so deep, and is more easily unearthed. It has a long
tail, and which it uses in digging its hole; (a fact so extraordinary,
that it may, I think, be doubted: one person informed me that. it
does not dig its own burrow, but lives in that of another animal).
It has a long snout, and a tongue which it can extend far out of its
mouth. It lives upon ants; and on being alarmed or disturbed
climbs up the nearest tree for refuge. When it comes out by day to
feed, it is exceedingly cautious; and standing up on its hind Tegs,
stretches out its neck to look around, and immediately on perceiving
any person approaching, draws its head quickly back to its body.
It walks on its heels to preserve its claws, and therefore, as it is said,
imprints on the ground a foot-mark exactly like that of a rhinoceros
in miniature. Whenever a recent track is met with, the animal is
traced to its hole and dug out if possible, as the flesh, which is ex-
tremely fat, is esteemed so great a delicacy that the law requires that
every khaaka which is killed shall be brought to the Chief.

When I requested Mattivito order his people to procure for me
a complete skin, -he would not promise to do so, although I offered
a great price in tobacco; and as Serrakutu was equally reluctant to
comply with this request, it appeared not improbable that they were
withheld by some superstitious belief relative to it: yet I was not
more successful in my offer to purchase any other animals which the
inhabitants would bring me.

In the evening the Chief came, and sat with me in the waggon
for half an hour. Neither he, nor any of his brothers, ever ap-
proached me without asking for tobacco, notwithstanding the hand-
some present which I had made him. As he was so careful to con-
ceal from his friends what he had received, he could not have much
diminished this quantity ; and his begging must therefore have pro-
ceeded from pure covetcusness.

=

* The Aard-vark of the Dutch colonists; and Myrmecophaga capensis, Lin. — See
Vol. I. p. 342.

1812. THE ART OF BEGGING. — SUNDAY. 495

As an experiment, I adopted his own style of solicitation, and
complained that his servants had brought me no milk that day ; but
he was not to be taken unawares, for his excuse lay ready-fabricated
upon his tongue: he said, that this was the season when milk was
scarce, and that he had really but few cows. My answer was not
very ceremonious, but it was not against the rules of Bachapin
politeness ; I replied, I could not believe that, while I knew him to
be so rich that his cattle were grazing in every part of the country ;
and therefore begged he would every day send me a large quantity.
I was induced to make this demand, by having discovered that
the art of begging follows one of the rules of an algebraic equation ;
that, like-quantities on both sides, annul each other, and may be ex-
punged, as not affecting the result. Whenever I began to beg of the
Bachapins, their begging ceased immediately, and thus, neither
party gained nor lost.

Mollémmi also came, to inform me of his feats in hunting, and
to tell me of his having shot a ¢sepz with the new gun. He said he
felt very tired; and on my giving him some tobacco, seemed glad to
leave me and go home. Muchunka was teaching him a few Dutch
words, to prepare him for his intended visit to Cape Town, the real
object of which, it was at last discovered, was to procure guns from
the governor; having been told at Klaarwater, that he was the only
person from whom they could be obtained.

19th. This being Sunday, my flag was hoisted upon a tall
bamboo-cane and fixed at the hinder part of my waggon, conformably
to a regulation which we followed while beyond the boundary of the
Cape colony. This practice was of considerable utility, in dividing
our time, and in assisting the Hottentots in keeping an account of
the days of the week. By having this object before their eyes for
twelve hours, a connection of ideas was established between the
flag and every occurrence which took place on that day, as well as
between that and the station at which it was hoisted. We were thus
enabled more easily to recollect the place at which, or the day when,
it was Sunday, and consequently to Beep a check upon mistakes in
our reckoning.

VOL. Il. 31

426 THE ENGLISH FLAG.—A VISIT FROM MOLLEMMI. 19 JuLy,

That predilection for one’s own country, which has been im-
planted by Nature in the human heart, and which, for a European
in these wild regions, seemed to have acquired a more warm
and powerful character, raised in me some agreeable feelings, on
beholding the English flag waving above my head; in the middle of
an African town. But it may be doubted whether such feelings,
while coupled with a want of respect, or of philanthropic kindness,
towards the other nations of the globe, can ever be pure as Nature
intended them. This predilection, it must be confessed, is a
virtue which some nations carry so far, or so much pervert, that it
becomes almost their characteristic vice.

I wished, during my residence at Litakun more especially, to
make this literally a day of rest as far as it regarded my intercourse
with the natives ; whose incessant conversation and wearying impor-
tunities, left me scarcely one moment to myself, from the time of my
rising, till they retired to their homes at night. I therefore closed
up my waggon, and desired Muchunka to let all the natives know
that it was Sondak (Zondag, or Sunday); taking advantage of a word,
the meaning of which they had learnt from those who had visited
Klaarwater.

Thus relieved from the intrusion of strangers, I was left to my
own occupations for the whole day, excepting a visit from Mollemm
with which I was more pleased than interrupted. He brought
Muchunka, Champani, and another Bachapin, with him; and when
he first intruded himself under the canvass, and took his seat in the
waggon, I felt somewhat vexed, and told him that I had given
notice that it was Sunday, and wished to be left alone. Muchunka
further explained to him that he knew it was the custom at Klaar-

water to do nothing on that day, excepting to say prayers. He wished |

to know what prayers were; and I explained this to him in a manner
suited to his intellect and adapted to make some useful impression on
his mind. He replied very modestly, that he had come because he
liked much to be with me and to talk to me; but, that it was good
that I had now told him the custom of my country, and that in
future he would not interrupt me.

In forming my opinion of Mollémmi’s character, I was for

1812. BACHAPIN NOTIONS RESPECTING THE DEITY. 427

some time in uncertainty; as he appeared a different person under
different circumstances. On some occasions he was obstinate and
most vexatiously troublesome; on others, submissive and good-
tempered: but, notwithstanding that I suffered much from the un-
pleasant part of his character during my stay at this town, I must
do him the justice to believe that he was not without some share of
goodness of heart, nor without a desire to oblige others, where his
own interest was not in the way to prevent it. Although he plagued
me even more than his brother Mattivi did, I must acknowledge that
of the two, he was the better character ; as he had much less of that
mean insatiable covetousness, and was often more easily persuaded
by reasonable argument.

He listened to the explanation which I gave him respecting
prayers, with so much more attention than I should have supposed
the subject could have awakened in him, that I pursued it farther,
not only with a view to gratifying my own curiosity as to his know-
ledge and conceptions of the Divinity, but with a wish also of giving
him some new and better ideas. I found no difficulty in making
him sensible of a future state of existence, as the Bachapins seemed
to possess some confused notions of this kind; but of their belief
in retributive justice after death, I never could gain any clear ac-
count. Neither did it appear to me that they had any very sublime
idea of the soul or of immortality. Of the worldly superintendence
of a Supreme Power, they are not ignorant; but their knowledge is
so mingled with superstition, that this can be of little practical
benefit to their moral conduct or religious feelings. These supersti-
tious notions could only have been the offsprings of the weakest
mind; and the respect which continues to be paid to them, proves,
better than any argument, how low is the state of intellect and reason
among these people.

Yet, with an education so unfavorable to mental improvement.
Mollemmi listened to me with an apparent desire of learning, and
with a facility of assent, which I should not have expected. All
which I told him, of our notions respecting the Deity; of the
absolute necessity of a virtuous life; and of the preservation of good-

312

428 CONVERSATION WITH MOLLEMMI, ON 19 Jury,

faith between man and man, and between nation and nation; all,
was received with an interest, and even eagerness, which increased
the longer I continued the conversation. This enticed me to pro-
ceed in my exposition, to aconsiderable length; and I felt a peculiar
satisfaction in pouring into a mind apparently so open to receive it,
some instruction which I hoped might contribute a ray of light
towards showing him a better path to present and future happiness.

Champdni and the other native, listened to this discourse, with
no less attention than Mollemmi. The former, by his knowledge of
Dutch, comprehended more quickly and forcibly, than the others
who heard only through an interpreter, the purport of what was told
them; and, as if convinced of the truth of my representations,
spoke occasionally to the others to enforce or explain my meaning :
while Muchunka, with the same view, frequently added much of his
own over and above the proper interpretation.

After having endeavoured to give them some notions of the
goodness of that Being by whose will, the existence of every thing
around them was continued, Who beheld all they did, and to whom
every word of untruth, and every act of injustice, was in the highest
degree displeasing, I proceeded to show them the practical good
which would surely result, not from merely believing in this, but
from regulating their conduct conformably to such notions, and from
restraining their evil propensities by those precepts ~which would
naturally flow from such knowledge. I assured them that, if the
Bachapins, the Nuakketsies, the Batammakas, the Maibues, and all
the tribes of this land, did but know these things, and act in con-
formity with the will of the Deity, there would be no more fighting
one against the other, or stealing cattle; but that all would be at
peace and would visit each other as friends and brethren.

As long as I continued speaking, there was the greatest atten-
tiveness, and an evident wish to comprehend clearly all which was
said: from their manner, it seemed that this mode of argument and
explanation, was entirely new to them, and even to Muchunka
though he had lived at Klaarwater. It appeared strongly to excite
their curiosity; and, had the object of my visit to Litaékun been

1812. MORAL AND RELIGIOUS SUBJECTS. 4929

such as it may be supposed that of a missionary would be, I think
I should have found it not impossible to have gained over their
minds an ascendancy, which, with a little management, might have
been rendered useful in disposing them for the reception and adop-
tion of the purer principles of religion. It is by making the un-
tutored savage see and feel the advantage of a virtuous life, that he
can be taught to submit to its rules. Where this is not done, the
missionary will labour all his life, to no purpose but to cheat himself.

Having communicated to my visitors as much as they could be
supposed able to remember, or capable of understanding without
confusing one idea with another, I concluded by an assurance that
they might rely on the truth of the facts which had been stated.
Mollemmi replied, that it was very good that I had informed him of
these things; that he was glad to hear them; and that, as he much
wished to know more, he would often come to me when I was alone
and had time to talk to him. It was no inconsiderable proof of the
effect which my conversation had on him, that he never once begged
for any thing. It would give me always, I said, great pleasure to
tell him or any one else, all which I might know on this subject ;
and whenever he felt disposed to listen again, he would find me
ready at any time to instruct him; as I felt sincerely desirous of
doing him and his countrymen as much good as might lay in my
power. He replied, that he would always listen with the greatest
attention ; that he would never forget what I had already told him,
but would tell it also to the people, that they might know these
things as well as himself.

The conversation having gradually changed to other subjects, it
fell at last upon my flag; and his remark proved that he was not
altogether wanting in the faculty of observation ; he noticed that it
was of the same kind as that which he had seen with the party who
visited them in 1801, but different from that of 1805. In this he
was quite correct; for the former was sent by the English govern-
ment, and the latter, by the Dutch. This naturally led to an ex-
planation that these were two different nations, and that they came to
the Cape from different countries and spoke different languages : facts

430 CONVERSATION RESPECTING ENGLAND. 19 Juzy,

of which he was totally ignorant; although Champani, who was re-
garded as a man of information, was aware that some white-men
were distinguished as Dutch, and others, as English; which he might
probably have learnt from the circumstance of there being mission-
aries of both nations at Klaarwater.

I mentioned to them, in as comprehensible a manner as possi-
ble, some particulars relative to my own country and Europe; all
of which they seemed to think very wonderful and interesting. If
any of the Bachapins, I said, would come to England, they should
with their own eyes see the truth of all which I had told them, and
that when they came back again, they would be able to instruct their
countrymen respecting all the fine things which they had seen, and
to tell them all the wonders of the other land. Mollémmi replied,
that he was certain I was one of the greatest chiefs in that land; and
when I endeavoured to assure him of the contrary, he said he never
would believe that, because he could himself see how rich I was.

When they left me, their thoughts were so involved in the
novelty of the information which they had received, that they never
once mentioned the word muchiko.

Towards the evening, Mattivi came and sat with me a short
time; I gave him a large piece of tobacco, thanking him for having
prevented his people from disturbing me. He and his attendants
had been passing their time as usual; nor could I discover during the
whole of my residence at Litakun, or in-any part of my travels
among the Bichuanas, the least appearance of any regular day of rest,
or worship. He and his friends, he told me, had been admiring my
flag, which they thought exceedingly beautiful as it waved in the
wind.

On my mentioning that I intended to send three of my men
out to hunt on the morrow, he said he should let his brother Molaali
go with them, to practise shooting and hunting according to our
method. He did not intend going himself, because he must remain
at home to take care of me and restrain his people from troubling
me so much as they had lately done. His presence certainly had
some effect in checking their importunities. Observing me writing

1812. MOLAALI’S DUTY IN THE GOVERNMENT. 431

down some Sichuana words, he asked if I did it that I might learn
them when I returned to my own country: and on being told that it
was done that others might learn them also and come to Litakun to
see him, he was much pleased. I could perceive that a week’s
acquaintance had worn off much of his reserve: he appeared some-
times in a more friendly light, and sufficiently familiar; but he had
not yet won my confidence and esteem. On taking leave of me at
night, his usual word was, Ruméela; a polite and friendly term of
greeting, often used also at meeting, in answer to the word Eés.

Mollémmi paid me a short visit in the evening, when I gave him
some tobacco for Molaali whom I had not seen since the morning
before. On asking why he had not been to visit me, he said that it
was because he had had much business to attend to.

At this time, Molaali’s duty in the Bachapin government, was to
convey the Chief’s orders wherever the case demanded, and to see them
put in execution: he also was employed on those commissions for
which the presence of a person of authority, was required in any distant
part of the country within Mattivi’s jurisdiction. It was he who was
generally sent to inquire into crimes and misdemeanors, and_ bring
the offender, if not too powerful, to town. A short time before my
arrival he had been thus employed, in taking into custody a man who
had stolen and killed one of the Chief’s oxen, and who was after-
wards punished with death. Such an offence may be commuted for
a fine of three or four times the value, if the means of paying it can
be found; or it is visited by seizure, when the offender is of the
higher class. During my stay at Litakun all business with the
different cattle-stations appeared to be transacted by Molaali; who
was considered as the official messenger on all occasions of importance.

Molaali, as soon as he was told by his brother that I had been
making inquiries after him, paid me a visit; and seemed much
pleased at my having noticed his absence. He sat with me about a
quarter of an hour, and was entertained with a cup of tea. His be-
haviour was at all times modest and unpretending ; he was far less
troublesome to me, than his elder brothers were ; but assumed some-
what more liberty than his brother Mahéra, whom I saw less fre-

432 BACHAPINS INSTRUCTING STUURMAN 19 Jury,

quently, and who, I believe, was employed generally in the same
manner, though in business of less consequence.

Neither the Chief, nor any of his family, considered it beneath
their rank to pass their evenings at my Hottentots’ fire, and smoke
and talk with them as if they themselves had been Hottentots, or
these had been chiefs. But their Colonial dress was in the eyes of
the Bachapins a badge of the highest rank; and which caused them
to be every where regarded as inferior to no one but myself.

When all besides were asleep, I went into the hut to warm
myself by the embers, and found two of the natives, who usually slept
there and whom I have suspected of being spies upon us, instructing
Stuurman in their language. This Hottentot knew nothing of it; nor
was it likely that he ever could learn much, by such a mode of in-
struction as that which his two tutors had adopted. They were
pronouncing various words or sentences, without giving any kind of
explanation, and which they made him carefully repeat word for
word afterthem. This, I found him doing very patiently, but without
understanding a single word: and when he had with great pains and
gravity pronounced what they told him, they burst into laughter at
the end of every expression. ‘This merriment I discovered to be
occasioned, not, as he thought, by his ridiculous pronunciation, but
by the improper meaning of that which they made him so innocently
repeat. ;

This species of wit is much admired by most tribes of savages ;
and an inquisitive traveller is always liable to be thus imposed on.
If his knowledge of the language should not be sufficient for afford-
ing him a clue by which he may trace and detect the imposition, he
may attentively watch the countenance of his instructor, and should
he observe the slightest symptoms of mirth, he may know that their
instruction is not worth listening to. Jokes of this kind are more
easily discovered in the presence of several natives, than when there
is not a second to enjoy the imposition, and betray it by his laughing.

Most of my men had, however, picked up a few words, which they
used upon almost every occasion, and managed by the help of these,
and of signs, to make themselves in general to be understood. But

1812. IN THEIR LANGUAGE. 433

frequently for mere amusement, as I supposed, and to pass away the
evening, they used to hold long conversations, if they can be called
such, with the natives, each party using his own language and com-
prehending very little of what was said by the other; and talking
probably on subjects widely different. One of these men made
Stuurman repeat after him, an account of a warlike expedition
which was sent against a neighbouring tribe: such being a favorite
subject of conversation among these people, and one of the most
important which the events of a Bachapin life can supply.

3K

VOL. II.

CHAPTER XVI.

TRANSACTIONS AND OCCURRENCES DURING THE FIRST RESIDENCE AT
LITAKUN.

Jury 20th. While I was employed this morning in making a drawing
of the mootsi, or public enclosure, in which my waggons were
stationed, the Chief and his party remained sitting in their usual place
near the hut, passing their time in desultory conversation, and occa-
sionally in shaping handles for their corn-hoes, a kind of mattock, used
by the women in digging or breaking up the land preparatively to
sowing, as that season was now advancing. These handles were
nearly in the form of the kirri, and about three feet long. The work
now bestowed upon them, and which was performed with a common
knife, was that of making them smooth and straight ; but it proceeded
at an extremely slow rate, which plainly showed how little they
valued time, or how little work they had to do.

To make my sketch, I seated myself at the farthest part of the
enclosure; and during this time no one molested me with begging ;

20 Juty, 1812. — - AMUSING CHILDREN. 435

nor did any person come near me, excepting two or three children.
These were at first rather timid and shy; but I soon found means of
gaining their confidence. Their playmates, who were at a little
distance, observing that I had no dislike to their company,
added themselves to the party one by one, till at last I found
myself surrounded by a crowd of little urchins, all desirous that
I should take notice of them. The occasional society of such
companions may often afford the greatest relaxation, and the at-
tractive innocence and simplicity of youth contrasted with the
repulsive duplicity of a more advanced age, possess a charm which
may agreeably beguile an hour, and recreate a mind fatigued by
graver cares. I left off my drawing, that I might thus amuse my-
self; and it was not long before their shyness was converted into
playful familiarity. They appeared delighted and happy that I
thought them of so much importance as to spend my time in talking
with them and in answering all their questions. One asked the name
of my book, and on being told it, others came eagerly forward to
know what I called the pencil, my boots, and the different parts of
my dress. They repeated the name, several times over, at first very
seriously ; and on communicating it to the rest, laughed as if highly
pleased at having learnt something new, or, perhaps, at the strange
sound of the word itself:

I enjoyed this amusement alone, as none of the men had
curiosity enough, or thought it worth while, to take their seat by my
side, to see what I was doing; or probably Mattivi had ordered that
I should not be interrupted while at work. But no sooner had I
finished it, and returned to my waggon, than the men began as usual
to torment me with begging tor tobacco, or snuff. I found it impos-
sible to get rid of them without giving some; and I now saw the
necessity of reducing the quantity as low as possible ; as my bestowing
too liberally to so great a multitude, would before long have put it
out of my power to give to any one. When one party, or as many
as could stand on the step of the waggon, had gained the object of
their visit, another immediately took their place. I hoped to avoid
their importunities, by leaving the waggon; as they supposed that I

3K 2

436 MONARRI.— TAKING A SKETCH OF THE TOWN. 20 Juty,

was there seated in the midst of tobacco; but I no where found
relief; I was assailed on all sides by, Lee muchiiko : —’ Mpé muchiko,
Mondarri : — Muchiko okéi? * Give me tobacco —‘ Give me some
tobacco, Sir :’ —‘ Where’s the tobacco ?’ To whatever spot I went,
thither I was followed: and their incessant begging was all which I
had to attend to during the rest of the forenoon.

By this time, I had acquired among the natives, the name of
Monér or Monarri, which I suppose to be a corruption of the Dutch
word Mynheer (Sir) used by the Hottentots; but my interpreter
explained it as being a title which they frequently give when address-
ing their own chieftains. I was sometimes styled Kaptcen (Captain),
a word well known to all the native tribes who have any connection
with the Cape Colony, and understood by them in the sense of ‘ a
chief,’ or ‘ a chieftain;’ this being the rank in which they thought
proper to place me. My own men had little occasion to make use
of my real name, as there was no other European in the party, to
render such a distinction necessary : in speaking of me, they used the
Dutch words de Heer, and in the distant parts of the Colony that of
de Engelsche Heer was the more common designation, althaaighs my
name was affixed to both the waggons.

In the afternoon, I walked to a little distance, to make a sketch
of part of the town. I would not take any interpreter with me, that,
by pretending not to. understand what they said, 1 might escape
the annoyance of beggars. Some of the inhabitants followed me,
and others came and took their seat by my side while I was drawing.
When they asked a question which I understood, I endeavoured, in the
best manner in my power, to give them an answer ; but when I heard
the word muchiko or lishuéena, I affected not to comprehend their
meaning; and, seeming to listen with great attention as if desirous
of making out what they said, I tired them out by repeatedly saying,
Bia kéapi (Say it again); and at last declared, Na ka si uklwa (I
don’t understand you). Some of them, however, were shrewd enough
to see through the trick ; and on its detection, we laughed at each
other :—but I gave no muchiko. This little ruse was so much in their
own style, that they were far from being displeased at it: it rather,

1812. INTRODUCTION OF EUROPEAN AIRS. 437

I believe, gave them a higher opinion of the qualifications of white-
men.

Mattivi’s principal herdsman, who generally brought a small
calabash of mk, said that he had received orders to supply me
with some every day; adding, that he would always bring it him-
self, that he might be assured of its being regularly delivered to
me. But the real cause of his punctuality, was the present or pay-
ment of a piece of tobacco, which he never failed to demand. And
besides this, the Chief himself always expected a daily present of the
same kind, in consideration of his ‘ royal bounty ;’ so that I gene-
rally paid twice over for what he often alluded to as a proof of his
generous and friendly disposition towards me: and as a further proof
of his friendship, he frequently, when thirsty, did me the favor to
come to my waggon and, signifying his wishes with, ’Mpd maashe
(Give me some milk), drink up generally half of what he had sent
me only an hour or two before. I soon discovered the truth of what
the Hottentots had said at Klaarwater; when they told me in their
Dutch, Zn de Briqualand zal Mynheer nicks kryg voor nicks; ¢ In
Briqualand you will get nothing for nothing.’

While I was thus engaged in the town, some of my men were
employed in hunting in the neighbouring plains ; and in the evening
two paalas and a stonebuck were brought home: others went to the
river, and passed the day in that very unromantic occupation of
washing our linen.

In the evening, when we were all reassembled round the fire,
the sound of our music enlivened the mootsi, and attracted to our
hut the great milk-giving Chief and his brothers. Several boys,
when they had ended their daily business of attending the cattle,
came and spent the remainder of their time with the Hottentots:
they listened so attentively to the tunes which were played on
our violin, that they soon learnt them perfectly, and often gave me
the pleasure of hearing them sung with a readiness and correctness
which surprised me; while I felt some gratification from the idea of
our being most probably the first visitors who had actually introduced
among them a European air.

438 A SPECIMEN OF BACHAPIN MUSIC. 20, 21 Juty,

One evening a party of about ten or twelve of these boys amused
themselves in dancing. They formed themselves in a circle, in
imitation of the dance used by the men, and appeared to follow the
same rules; but, instead of the reed pipes, they substituted their
voices. Sometimes one of them led the band, and the rest after-
wards joined in at different intervals ; and, guided only by the ear,
attuned their notes in correct harmony. The elder boys, whose
voices were of a lower pitch, sang the bass ; while the younger, pro-
duced, in their turn, the higher tones of the treble. The sound of the
various voices, was altogether extremely pleasing; and the natural
manner in which the dancing and singing were performed, would,
simply from the engaging manners of youth, have gratified even
those who have enjoyed these arts in their more refined state. The

words Kana Kana, which convey no meaning, were pronounced by

each one in every bar, merely to assist in articulating the air. This
dance was continued, with little intermission, for nearly an hour. The

same tune was repeated during the whole time without variation ; and

occupied, in singing it once over, just twenty-two seconds: but it has
not been thought necessary to write the different parts in score,
separately as they were sung by each dancer; since they may be
readily distinguished by mere inspection. The following notes will
give some idea of them, and will also serve as a specimen of Bachapin

MUSIC.

A Ne a

wre one Sas env fi pce ai
Gis eepeee ees

eo ee:

pongo: a ores mar [a Recaro sor =Po = Ls
Se age eee

1812. NUAKKETSI TRADERS. 439

21st. During part of the forenoon, I was employed in my wag-
gon in finishing my drawings; but at no hour of the day was I
allowed to be there alone. Several natives were always sitting on the
chest before me, and watching every motion; but I was mistaken in
my first supposition that their curiosity might be the effect of a desire
to learn the arts of white-men, and to improve their knowledge by
conversing with strangers. It did not appear to have so useful an
object: although I cannot but believe that the occasional visits of
Europeans, must, at least insensibly and almost involuntarily, enlarge
their notions and give them many new ideas which may ultimately
raise the nation somewhat higher in the scale of intellect and civili-
zation. The effects of such visits, have hitherto perhaps been
fleeting; as no strangers of this description had passed a sufficient
length of time among them, to communicate much information, or
to make any permanent impression on the minds of the people in
general.

A few days before we reached Litakun, a party of Nudkketsies
had arrived there, with a present of oxen from their chief Mékkaba,
as a testimony of his desire of being on peaceable terms with Mattivi.
They had also brought a large quantity of iron-ware of their own
manufacture, consisting of knives, hassagays, and hatchets ; together
with tobacco, copper and iron beads, copper bracelets, and ornaments
for the ears; which were exchanged here for porcelain beads, and
sibilo. They still remained at this town, not having yet disposed of
all their merchandise. Two of them came this morning into the
public enclosure: they appeared of a blacker color than the Bachapins;
which might possibly be merely the consequence of their not being
painted with red ochre or sibilo. They had thicker lips and more
flattened noses; but I will not, from these few individuals, venture
to assert that such are the national features: yet subsequent observ-
ation seemed to authorise the supposition that, by travelling farther
northward, the tribes would be found gradually to approach in
features and color, nearer to the negroes of the equinoctial part of
the continent.

Serrakitu, whom I had not seen for the last two days, paid

440 CONVERSATION WITH SERRAKUTU. 21 deus

me a visit, and sat for about half an hour with me. When I
inquired why he had remained so long without: coming to the
waggons, he answered, that he had been very busy making a kébo.
On my remarking that I was always glad to see him; he replied that he
felt particularly desirous that we should become very intimate friends :
and, to conclude these complimentary speeches, I rejoined that there
was no doubt that such would be the case, as soon as we were a
little more acquainted. In the mean time I would give him, I said,
an opportunity of proving his sincerity by ordering some of his
people to get me the skin of a khaaka, for which I offered him a foot
and a half of tobacco. He made no promise that he would procure
me the skin; but wished that the offer should be made in beads
instead of tobacco. This was a proposal which could not prudently be
complied with, as it was now evident that no purchase could be made
in the Interior without beads, and my teams were still incomplete.
I invited him to make a journey to Cape Town, where he would, I
assured him, not only get beads in abundance, but would behold so
many extraordinary and handsome things, that he would never after-
wards find time enough for relating to the people of Litakun all the
wonders which he had seen. Yet all my representations seemed to
have little effect in exciting any desire for such a journey: he re-
plied ; ‘ At home I have two wives, who prepare for me every meal; ~
but if I go to the Cape, who will then cook my food, if I do not
take them along with me?’ He was, however, a man of as much
quickness of understanding as any of his countrymen; but, as he
found his present situation and mode of life suit his habits better
than those of the makwd-mashi (white-men), he seemed not much
inclined to risk any experiment with a view to ameliorate his condi-
tion, or merely to acquire knowledge; deeming, perhaps, all which
white-men regarded as fine things and strong temptations, to be of
little importance to him, excepting the beads. He ended these re-
marks by reminding me that I had a day or two before, promised
him some tobacco. I gave him, therefore, a piece of three inches,
but desired that he would let no one know of it. He was
equally anxious himself to conceal it, fearing that his friends would

1812. KRAMORI. — EXERCISE.— CLUSTERS OF HOUSES. 44]

pursue him for a share of it, with as much ardor as they had pursued
me; while it was his intention to take the smoking of it wholly into
his own hands, disdaining all assistance in an affair, for the manage-
ment of which he was so well qualified.

A chieftain whose name was Krdméri, and who resided in a
distant quarter of the town, came to offer me an elephant’s tusk in
exchange for beads; and when told that it was oxen, and not ivory,
which I wished to purchase, he replied, that the tooth was so large
and heavy, that he had not been able to bring it to the waggons, but
that if I would come and see it at his house, he was certain that I
should immediately desire to purchase it. Without promising this,
I consented to accompany him, in order to examine his house and
take a view of a distant quarter of the town, which I had not yet
seen.

I was attended by Muchunka and Champani, and by a few natives
who added themselves to our party. As we walked along, one of
them amused himself in throwing his ¢sémma or walking-stick in the
manner of a hassagay, the shaft of which it exactly resembles. He
was careful to aim always in the direction in which we were going,
that he might have no other trouble than to pick it up as he passed.
This was, for a person who walks out merely for exercise, an ex-
cellent mode of beguiling the way, as it exerts the upper limbs
equally with the lower, and thus gives employment to all the principal
muscles of the body: though the object sought in the present case,
was probably that of perfection in the art of using the hassagay, their
usual warlike instrument.

In our way we passed through many clusters of houses ; between
which there were most frequently large spaces of unoccupied ground.
Each of these clusters might generally be considered as the village
of a different kést or chieftain, and inhabited for the greater part, by
his relations and connections ; yet not necessarily, nor perhaps always,
following this as a rule. ‘The houses were all built in the neatest
manner imaginable; but beyond the fence which encircled them, not
the least labor had ever been bestowed; nor, in any part of this
extensive town, did there exist works which might be considered as

VOU. 14, 3 L

4492 A WALK THROUGH THE TOWN. 21 JuLy,

being of a public nature: no care extended beyond private interest ;
and it may be doubted whether the Chiefs of these nations ever
exert their authority for the general good of their subjects, by putting
in requisition the labor of the community, for the accomplishment
of any work of this kind.

The intervening ground remained in a state of nature, scattered
over with bushes and here and there with a tuft of smaller plants or a
patch of herbage, between which appeared the naked sandy soil of the
same red color which had been remarked almost every where in the
Plains of Litakun. The site of the town had formerly been occupied
by a grove of acacias; mostly of those species which have hitherto been
confounded under the name of ‘ camelthorn.’ Among them was a
new sort called by the inhabitants, mikwi, or mokwi, or mokdla-mokwi,
distinguishable by the unusual thickness of its branches and even of
its youngest shoots. *

As I passed through the different clusters of dwellings, the in-
habitants ran out to view me. ‘The greater number were women and
girls; the men being abroad in the plains, either hunting or attend-
ing their cattle. A white-man must have been a perfectly novel
sight to the younger children; and, judging from the eager looks
and surprise of many of the older people, this must have been the
first time in their lives that they had beheld so extraordinary a
phenomenon. They did not attempt to follow me, but continued
standing without the door of their fence, gazing with fixed attention,
till I had reached some distance from them. We passed a few of the
houses before they knew that I was in that quarter ; and, my visit being
quite unexpected, the haste with which they scrambled out to the
door to have a look at me before I had gone too far from their abode,

* Acacia robusta, B. Catal. Geogr. 2265. Arbor 20—30-pedalis, trunco robusto,
ramis ramulisqué robustissimis. Folia bipinnata, pinnis 3—4-jugis glandula solitaria inter
ultimis. Foliola 8—13-juga glabra, oblon,: obtusa. Spinze geminz stipulares albz rectee,
plerumque longze, at saepe alize breves in eodem ramulo videndz. Flores odorati pallidé
flavi, ex gemmis ramulorum anni precedentis (in A. Capensz, ex ramulis anni instantis)
proveniunt, in capitulis globosis pedunculatis pluribus (usque ad 10). Legumen fuscum
nudum lato-lineare bivalve rectum, Acacie Capensis duplo majus. Habitus et facies arboris
est Acacie giraffe, at legumina diversissima.

1812. CONTEMPLATION OF THE SCENE, 443

was highly amusing. But the men were more moderate in their
curiosity, as most of them had already had an opportunity of seeing
me at my waggons: some joined our party, and all inquired, whither
I was going.

The different engravings in this volume, will give some idea of
the appearance of this strange and singular town; yet nothing but
breathing the air of Africa, and actually walking through it and
beholding its living inhabitants in all the peculiarities of their move-
ments and manners, can communicate those gratifying, and literally
indescribable, sensations, which every European traveller of feeling,
will experience on finding himself in the midst of so interesting a
scene : — a scene not merely amusing ; but one which may be highly
instructive, for a contemplative mind. Let us endeavour to imagine
the contrast, and to conceive the full force of it, by supposing our-
selves, — while occupied in the busy metropolis of our own country,
with all its bustle, its refinements, its complicated affairs, its extended
views, its luxuries, its learning, its arts, the ingenuity and perfection
of its manufactures, its numerous and beautiful piles of masonry,
its floating edifices those admirable efforts of human skill; in fine,
its intellectual and exalted characters, and its pure knowledge of the
Deity ;—let us, by supposing ourselves instantaneously transported
to the spot which I am now describing, the mental image of which
is still before me as bright and glowing as the reality then was,
endeavour to form in our mind the picture I would attempt to draw ;—
of a nation and a town whose secluded existence, deep in the interior
of an unexplored quarter of the globe, was unknown to usa few years
before, and whose names even, had not hitherto reached us correctly ;
of men who knew as little of the rest of the world, as the rest of the
world knew of them, and whose personal appearance, dress, and
customs, are so widely diiferent from all which we have in our own
country been used to behold; of manners of the simplest kind; of
intellect unexpanded or in its wéaxest state; of a society without
arts, without other occupation than that of providing for daily wants
and for the support of mere animal existence; of minds insensible
to the charms of exalted virtue, unconscious of the better destiny of

3L 2

444 THE EUROPEAN AND THE AFRICAN, CONTRASTED. 21 Juty,

the soul, or of the glorious and beneficent nature of the Great First
Cause, the Source of all which is good, the Divine Father of the
universe. Let us, in short, contrast piety with atheism, the philo-
sopher with the rude savage, the monarch with the Chief, luxury
with want, philanthropy with lawless rapine: let us set before us in
one view, the lofty cathedral and the straw-hut, the flowery garden
and the stony waste, the verdant meadow and the arid sands.
And when our imagination shall have completed the picture, and
placed it in a light which may invite contemplation, it will, I think, be
impossible not to derive from it instruction of the highest class. If
that truly wise but difficult precept, Know thyself, has been judged so
valuable and important, as to deserve being inscribed in letters of
gold on one of the greatest temples in the world ; most certainly, a
precept which should command men to seek wisdom by gaining a
knowledge of human nature and of the globe which they inhabit,
cannot be less important or less deserving of being inscribed on the
tablet of the mind.

The extent of the town far exceeded the estimation which I had
previously formed from a distant view of it; and we walked more
than a mile, in a direction northward from the Chief’s mootsi, before
we reached Kramoér?’s residence, although we were still at some dis-
tance from the farthest houses. In the direction from west to east
the diameter of the town, or rather, of the ground over which it is
scattered, is considerably more.

As soon as we entered the fence which encircled his habitation,
the front court became crowded with neighbours, who ran in to
get a sight of me and to witness what was going on. Every body
seemed pleased at my paying a visit to their quarter of the town, and
Kramori was proud of showing me his dwelling.

It was one of the largest houses; nor could it be excelled by
any, in neatness and in the cleanliness and good order of every part.
In the back-yard,.were two others of smaller dimensions: one was a
store-house ; the other, a sleeping place for his servants or attendants.
The whole of these buildings and the outer fence, were circular.
The engraving at the head of the 17th chapter, is the representation of

1812. DESCRIPTION OF KRAMORI’S HOUSE. 445

the front of the principal dwelling-house or that occupied by the chief-
tain himself and his family. The inner apartment, which constituted
the centre or main body of the building, was about nine feet high,
and as much in diameter. The roof, thatched with long grass, pro-
jected four feet beyond the outer wall, and the eaves were supported
five feet from the ground by unhewn posts of mokaala wood, but
from which the bark had been entirely taken off. These posts were
connected at bottom, in the manner best explained by the engraving,
by a low wall six inches thick, and carefully plastered with a compo-
sition of sand or loam and the manure from the cattle-pounds. This
formed, with the outer wall of the building, a kind of veranda about
ten feet in length, in which the family usually sit in the day time,
and generally the whole evening. Three girls were sitting here at
this time, busy in grinding and preparing red ochre for painting
their bodies. This substance, however, is used chiefly by the men.
At one end of this veranda was a small and shallow bason hollowed
out of the floor and rendered more capacious by an elevated margin,
for the purpose of occasionally receiving a fire whenever the coldness
of the air rendered it necessary. None of the houses had any
window or aperture for giving light to the inner room: the door,
which was scarcely eighteen inches wide and five feet high, was the
only opening. The outer fence, which might better be named a wall
than a hedge, enclosed the whole at a distance of seven feet, and was
formed of straight sticks or long twigs of the mohdka tree, (or tar-
chonanthus) compactly bound together. The front-court, in which
we were assembled, was divided from the back yard by a transverse,
and similar, wall. The back part of the house, which corresponded
with the front veranda, was wholly filled with large corn-jars some
four, and others five, feet high, and three in width, built of the same
materials as the wall of the house, and raised six or twelve inches
above the ground.

The bystanders appeared exceedingly pleased at my admiring
and examining the buildings; and more especially, when I told
them and Kramori, that I should come again another day to learn

446 THE ELEPHANT’S TUSK. 21, 22 Jury,

the manner of making such a house, that when I returned to my
own country, I might build one exactly like it for myself. As I
stood within this front-court, surrounded by the family and neigh.
bours, all happy, as they really appeared to be, in being visited by a
white-man who took an interest in the work of their hands ana
admired their ingenuity, I felt the secret influence of sympathy, and
enjoyed the counterpart of their pleasure and gratification.

Kramori, who was a man of about forty years of age and of a
fine well-proportioned figure, took much pains in showing me the
different parts of his dwelling ; and when I had sufficiently examined,
it, he brought me a gourd-shell full of thick-milk, a most agreeable
refreshment after walking in the mid-day heat. When I had taken
a small portion, I gave the rest to Muchunka and Champaani, who
almost in an instant greedily devoured it up.

The elephant’s tusk in question was dragged out of the store-
house to tempt me, but I did not purchase it. I lifted it up in my
arms, to enable me to form a guess at the weight of it, which I con-
cluded to be between eighty and ninety pounds. When the natives
saw me heaving it up and down with apparent ease, they seemed
greatly surprised, and considered me to be a person of extraordinary
strength ; and to some of their friends, who came in afterwards I ob-
served them explaining the circumstance by making the same motion
with a tsaémma laid across their arms. This circumstance is mentioned
for the purpose of proving a fact, which subsequent observation
further confirmed, that the Bachapins are in general, men of little
muscular strength, excepting, perhaps, in the Achilles-tendon and
muscles connected with its use: at the same time, it showed that con-
tinual labor and bodily exertion, if not carried too far, will greatly
increase that strength. Desirous of gaining, among these people, the
character of being mindénd tatdaio (a strong man), I confess that in
this instance I exerted my utmost force with a view to induce them
to suppose that the tusk was, to my hand, comparatively light; for
as I knew that, guided by outward appearances, they judged them-
selves to be my superiors in muscular power, I regarded it as an

1812. A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF LITAKUN. 447

important point of prudence and policy, to give them the impression
of my being personally able to defend myself against any attempt on
their part, should they ever feel disposed to offer open violence.

On taking leave, I gave KramOri four inches of tobacco for him-
self and his family, who, as it appeared to me, were almost as thank-
ful as the Bushmen of Cisgariepine would have been at receiving a
similar present.

In the evening Mollémmi annoyed me by his importuning
manners; begging for a number of different things, and asking,
among many other requests, for the use of my own fowling-piece,
as he was going out hunting, he said, on the next morning. To this
I gave a direct refusal; but he was not at all abashed by it, for im-
mediately, as if to sound my opinion, he told me that he had been
bargaining with Cornelis for the purchase of his gun. This last re-
mark was not merely a teazing solicitation: I considered such deter-
mined perseverance to get possession of our fire-arms, as a serious
misfortune to us, and felt that I had some reason still for being
uneasy at the renewal of this conversation. Instantly I answered in
a peremptory manner, that I would certainly not permit any trans-
action of that kind; and asked him if he was not satisfied with the
favor I had already done him and his brother, by allowing them to
have one of my muskets, although it was, as they must know, exceed-
ingly inconvenient to me to give it up at this time; and I concluded
by requesting that he would talk no further on that subject. It
seemed that my tone of voice gave a check to his importunities, at
least for the present: for, on giving him some tobacco, he left me
that he might light his pipe at my men’s fire; and I was glad to
find that he returned no more that night.

22nd. In the morning I took a walk, and ascended the rocky
ridge of hills, which encloses the southern side of the town, for the
purpose of drawing a bird’s-eye view of Litakun, to give an idea of
the plan and general appearance of a South-African town. I was
accompanied by Mattivi and his attendants, who were mostly kosies ;
for he never walked out without a dozen of these in his train. He
was much pleased when I explained to him what I was about to do, and

448 EXPLANATION OF THE CYLINDRIC PRINCIPLE, 22 JuLty

when I told him that it was in order to show his town to my friends
at home in my own country, and to let them see how extensive it was.
He took much interest in my operations, and conducted me toa
spot whence I could have the best prospect.

His choice was just, and I made my drawing from the very
point of view to which he brought me; but the numerous clusters
of dwellings spread so far both to the right and to the left, that the
laws of perspective would not allow me to include in my sketch
more than a third of the town, without having recourse to the prin-
ciple of a cylindric medium.* But as there was no variation in the

* The method of drawing in perspective on the principle of an imaginary cylindric
medium not having hitherto, I believe, been noticed by any writer on this branch of optics,
it becomes necessary to make the above allusion to it intelligible by a brief explanation. —

The usual method supposes this medium to be a transparent plane through which
the objects are beheld; the ‘ point of sight,’ to be that point in the plane, where a line
from the eye, or visual ray, would strike it perpendicularly ; the ‘ point of distance,’ to be
a point in the plane, at a distance from the point of sight, equal to that between the eye and
the medium; and < accidental points’ to be those to which all lines not actually parallel to
the medium, nor perpendicular to it, appear perspectively to converge. This, at least, is the
method usually taught, and is that which I acquired under the instruction of that excellent
artist Mr. Nattes, whose works prove that he was truly a master in the art of perspective
drawing. In putting this method into practice, the view seen through the medium, or
rather the medium itself on which the objects are imagined as depicted, becomes the
picture; which picture, to be strictly and optically correct, must represent these objects
larger in proportion as their places on the medium may be farther from the point of sight ;
an enlargement similar to that which is required in the projection of extensive maps.

Until the extent of landscape exceed an angle of about fifty degrees, this enlarge-
ment will be inconsiderable in drawings of moderate size; but when it is much beyond
that, the picture, if the correct principles of perspective be strictly adhered to, must be-
come an anamorphosis, and will not admit of being viewed ig any other position, than
that in which the eye of the spectator is exactly opposite to the ‘ point of sight,’ and at
the same distance from it, as the ‘ point of distance.’ This is, however, the position in
which all perspectives ought to be viewed: notwithstanding a practice, too often seen in
galleries, of hanging such pictures so that the visual ray cannot fall perpendicularly upon
its proper point, nor even upon any part of the painting.

But by adopting that principle which supposes this medium to be the superficial con-
cavity of a perpendicular cylinder, the eye being placed at any point in the axis, a method
is found by which a landscape may be extended to any number of degrees, and by which
every object on the same horizontal line may be delineated in the same proportion; which
may be demonstr ated geometrically by showing that all the visual rays from the axis of a
cylinder, and falling on the same horizontal rec are equal; while all those which fall upon
a plane, increase in length as they spread farther from the point of sight. In practice,

1812. IN THE ART OF DRAWING IN PERSPECTIVE. 449

appearance of the different clusters, nor in that of the houses, a view
of one-third would convey a complete and just idea of the whole.

The Chief and his party seated themselves around me, and
watched my proceedings, not with that degree of curiosity which
indicated a desire of learning the art, but merely with that which
the novelty of the affair excited. Some, without much reflection,
indeed, took their stand before me, and on my requesting them to
move aside, Mattivi scolded them very unceremoniously, for ob-
structing my view: on which they laid themselves down on the rocks,
or stationed themselves behind me.

The Chiefs dinner-hour happened during my drawing; and, as
he chose to remain with me till I had finished my work, his servants
brought his dinner to him. He used most frequently, or when not

the cylindric method has several advantages and facilities, although it requires that very
long horizontal right lines which are much above or below the ¢ horizontal line’ properly
so called, or that which passes through the point of sight, should be represented more or
less curved; but this is a case which very rarely occurs. In landscape-pictures which
comprehend a larger horizontal angle than the eye can clearly take in at one view, such as
the cylindric principle admits of, it would be incorrect to enlarge the angle of altitude, or
height of the picture, in the same proportion; although this precept, which naturally
depends on the powers of vision, appears to be in general little attended to.

In the course of studying this art from nature, we may discover that all the rules
which are usually given us for delineating the different parts of a view where a great
number of ¢ accidental points’ are required, may be reduced to one, and thus the theore-
tical difficulties of the art exceedingly simplified, if not altogether done away. The
following rae will be found to be universal, and applicable to every possible case; The
point to which any straight line in nature appears to tend, is that point in the medium,
whether plane or cylindrical, where a visual ray parallel to that line would fall. And then,
by corollary ; All lines which are parallel in nature, must, in a drawing, be made to con-
verge to the same point: and further; All lines which are horizontal in nature, must tend
to some point in the ‘ horizontal line ;’ and those which actually incline downwards, must
in a picture be drawn to some point below that line, and those upwards, to some point
above.

It is not only in pictures of buildings, that a knowledge of the principles of perspec-
dive is necessary, although in such it is absolutely indispensable; but, in every branch of
the art of drawing, it is eminently useful; a consideration which has occasioned the sub-
ject to be noticed in this place. In confining this explanation to the space of a note, many
particulars must necessarily be omitted which might perhaps make the above remarks
more available to those who are but little acquainted with the theory of the art; but this
exposition of the principles which guided my own practice, will, it is hoped, be sufficiently
intelligible to those who take any particular interest in the subject.

VOL, Il 3M

450 BACHAPIN MEALS. — MODE OF USING THE KNIFE. 22 Jury,

prevented by the weather, to take these meals in his mootsi, in the
open air. No repast could be more frugal, more simple, or less
ceremonious, than these. The meat, as usual, was small pieces of
boiled beef, set before him in a wooden bowl; and from this he dis-
tributed some in his fingers to each of his attendants, who received
it also in their hands; and who immediately gnawed it in pieces
without ceremony, or sometimes they took the trouble to cut it with
their knife.

The quantity of meat which came to each person’s share, ap-
peared not sufficient for a meal, unless they afterwards ate again in
their own houses: but in public I never saw the Chief and his party
eating more than once in the day ; and this consisted only of beef,
without any other kind of food in addition; nor was it ever ob-
served to be cooked in any other manner than by boiling.

The Bachapins have not the least idea of making their meals
the opportunity for displaying luxury and refinemént: they eat
because nature demands it, and imagine that a meal can require no
ceremony or forms more than those of chewing and swallowing.
They look only to the gratification of bodily appetite, and appear
quite insensible to the mental pleasures of conviviality. Their mode
of using the knife at their meals, is uncouth and singular enough, and
could not be imitated by a European, without incurring the risk of
cutting off his under lip: on applying the lump of meat to the
mouth, one end or corner of it is seized between the teeth, and the
hand which holds it, pulls with some force while the mouthful is
severed from it, with the knife close to the lips. In default of a
knife, I have often seen the hassagay made use of.

This mode is not peculiar to the Bachapins or the Bichuanas ;
it is so common among every tribe of the Hottentot race, that I am
unable to decide, to which nation the honor of its invention is due.
But as the Hottentots are distinguished among the tribes of Africa by
many peculiarities, and as the extraordinary mode of drinking already
described * is properly theirs, it seems probable that this mode of
eating may be also theirs.

* At page 314. of this volume.

1812. FOOD. — VIEW OF THE TOWN. — UNLUCKY-WOOD. 451

Neither on this occasion, nor on any other during my travels
among the Bichuanas, was I ever invited to partake of their meals.
It is not however to be inferred that their greediness is so excessive
that they never give away food; since some of my own men have
now and then received a portion from Mattivi’s bowl, and have some-
times eaten corn and milk in several houses at Litakun. But the
notion which these people seem to have of white-men, is, that they
are so inexhaustibly rich, that from the moment when they first set
foot on the Bachapin territory, it is their duty to be constantly
making presents to the natives, who think themselves to be a nation
possessed comparatively of so little, that they ought to be receivers
only, and under no obligation to do a favor in return, or to express
their gratitude in any other manner than by words. Judging from
their general conduct, one would conclude that they suppose that
the white-men who visit them, can never while in this land, be in
want of food or of the least assistance of that kind; but are, on the
contrary, able to feed as many natives as chuse to seat themselves
round their fire.

From the hills on which we were standing, of which the outside,
at least, is formed of loose angular blocks of red sand-stone, the view
is that of a most extensive plain. The prospect, looking down upon
the town, is totally unlike every thing but itself, and well worth the
trouble of climbing the rocks. The whole plan of Litékun, (which
will be more particularly described in the seventeenth chapter,) and
of its clusters of houses, of the dwellings themselves, and of the ad-
joining mootsies, is here seen at once, as distinctly as on a map.

On this hill, between the rocks and stones, grow a few shrubby
plants ; but as they are continually broken for firewood, or browsed
upon by the goats, few therefore are to be found of any size ex-
cepting the Vangueria infausta. Among the numberless super-
stitious and absurd beliefs, is that which has been already mentioned,
as attributing to this shrub an unlucky influence over those who use
it for fuel: consequently there was here an abundance of decayed
and dry wood: a circumstance very fortunate for us, as otherwise we
must have sought our firewood at the distance of a mile or two from

3M 2

452 THE MOSHU TREE— HEELA! 22 Jury,

the town, every dry stick in the vicinity having been consumed by
the inhabitants.

When I had finished my sketch, Mattivi, pleased at the thought
that the magnitude of his town would now be made known in the
country of the white-men, inquired very particularly if I had drawn
every house; yet though my answer was contrary to his wishes, he
remained well satisfied by being told that 1 had drawn as many as
my paper could contain, and that I intended making a sketch of the
other part of the town, from the opposite hills.

We all then descended the hill together. In our way I sought
for flowers, but could discover nothing new ; every vegetable was so
completely dried up, that scarcely a specimen could be procured.
Some of the natives seeing me gather a plant, very good-naturedly
made search for more of the same kind, and brought them to me;
but nothing was found worth preserving.

The path by which we returned, brought us to Serrakutu’s
mootsi, the first dwelling to which we came, and situated at a little dis-
tance from the foot of the hill. I walked in to examine a beautiful
tree of a new species of acacia, called by the inhabitants, Méshu *,
and to gather some of its singularly twisted or curved pods, which
just at this season were hanging in abundance.

Serrakutu, who was sitting in one corner of the enclosure, and
whom I did not at first observe, called out to me with a loud voice,
Héeéla! Héela! + and seemed much gratified by my paying him a

* Acacia Litakunensis, B. Catal. Geogr. 2205. Arbor 40-pedalis, (vide tabulam
sextam) comis partialibus depresso-patentibus. (In plantula hortensi bienni; Folia sub-
pubescentia, bipinnata 4—6-juga, foliolis interstitio invicem separatis, angusté oblongis,
9—13-jugis. Spine stipulares geminze breves recurve.) Legumina bivalvia tortuosa.

+ Héla! (Haylah) is a common exclamation among the Bachapins, and is used when
calling to a person at a distance. The first syllable is usually protracted to a length pro-
portioned to the distance of the person called. If he be only a few yards off, Héla! is
supposed to be sufficient; if at a much greater distance, Hela! if still farther, Héeéla /,
and even Hé @-——éla!: and when it is considered that both the tone and the strength
of the voice are heightened and increased in the same proportion, it will readily be con-
ceived that this is not a word of mean importance, nor much less resounding than the
morvgrois6os Sarason. It is, however, in its more moderate form, employed in common
conversation or debate, as the means of calling the attention of the company or the assem-
bly, to the person who is speaking.

1812. BACHAPIN PAINTINGS. — SERRAKUTU’S HOUSES. 453

visit. He was then wearing Gert’s hat, which he had borrowed for
the day; and perhaps he mistook the smile, which his incongruous
dress occasioned in me, for joy at meeting with him at home. He
asked me to show him the sketch, and this obliged me to enter into
the same explanation of my object in drawing it, as I had given to his
nephew Mattivi. He was in the same manner as the Chief, sur-
rounded by a party of his friends: their employment appeared to
be a mixture of work and conversation.

As he had, a day or two before, invited me to see his house, I
now requested him to show it: on which he immediately rose, and,
followed by his friends or attendants, conducted me to the house of
his younger wife; while Mattivi and his party proceeded home-
ward. She exhibited her paintings in a manner which evinced that
she was well satisfied with her own performance. They were, the
figures of several animals, rudely drawn, with a paint of white earth,
against the front-wall of the house. Among these I distinguished
two lizards; but the rest might have enabled a fanciful person to see
in them, any animal he pleased, or that he wished to see. They
were, however, intended to represent some of the common animals
of the country.

He then took me to the house at which he more usually resided ;
which was that of his elder wife Marrtklénadmi, a good-looking woman
apparently about thirty-five years of age, whom he introduced to me.
Maki: (Makooér), his daughter by Marriklonami, was also introduced :
she was probably about eighteen. Neither of them, nor several others
who were present, had ever before, as they told me, seen a white-
man. They looked at me with the most curious attention; and to
make a greater display before the crowd, for the front-court was filled
with people, Serrakutu requested me to unfold my umbrella and
allow his wife to stand with me under the shade of it.

. While, to the surprise of all, we were thus exhibiting ourselves,
I felt now and then some person behind me cautiously feeling my
hair, which being rather unfashionably long, admitted of their doing
this, as they supposed, without being perceived.

Serrakutu so much admired the air of importance which the

454 VISIT TO MARRIKLONAMI. — UMBRELLA. — HAIR. 22 Jury,

umbrella gave us, that he wished me to make him a present of it. I
replied, that it was indispensably necessary to me, as I could not
draw without it, the whiteness of the paper, in the sunshine, com-
pletely dazzling me and preventing my seeing either the objects
before me, or my own drawing; but I added, if he would wait till I
had ended my journey, I would then gladly give it to him. He did
not, he said, seriously mean, or expect, that I should part with it ;
but only asked it in talk; yet, if he were to ask for a piece of tobacco
for himself and his wife, he then should mean what he said. That this
ingenious mode of begging might not fail in its object, I promised
that, as I had, to avoid being troubled by beggars, put none in my
pocket before I came from home, I would send him some as soon as
I returned to my waggons.

Marriklonami desired her husband to let me know that she
much wished to see my hair, and begged me to take off my hat. I
did so; and had it been a man with eyes in every part of his head,
who had thus unexpectedly appeared before her, she could not have
expressed greater astonishment. She lifted up both hands with
amazement; involuntarily drew herself back a pace, as though fear-
ful of a strange animal; and remained for a minute or two fixed in
silent wonder. The greater part of the crowd also stood gazing with
surprise at the extraordinary sight, and seemed scarcely to credit the
testimony of their own senses, that there could exist on the earth a
race of men whose heads produced a similar covering: yet none
ventured now to approach and examine it more nearly. One man
said, he thought long hair very beautiful; but when I told him that
I much doubted whether he admired it so much as the hair of his
own countrywomen, he made no reply, and confessed by his silence,
that black wool twisted into threads shining with grease and sibilo,
was in his eyes much more charming.

Having allowed the party time sufficient for satisfying their
curiosity, I again put on my hat; and all then began giving to each
other their opinions respecting the white-man; at least, such ap-
peared, by their manner, to be the subject of their conversation.

Serrakitu, with a view to give me some idea, as it appeared, of

1812. NUAKKETSI CORN-SIEVES. — FEMALE BUILDERS. 455

Bachapin ingenuity and workmanship, ordered two girls to bring me
his corn-sieves to look at. They were in the form of a large shallow
bowl, and made in a very neat manner, with flat split twigs inter-
woven with the greatest exactness: but on pressing him to sell them,
I discovered that they were in reality the manufacture of the
Nudkketsi tribe, as he was unwilling to part with them, because, he
said, he should not for a long time have an opportunity of getting
others in their place; and it was an article with which he could not
dispense.

Both these dwellings were situated at the distance of only a few
paces from his mootsi; and his wives, of whom he had only two,
had proved themselves to be good builders, by their houses being of
the largest dimensions. That of the youngest may be seen on the
left in the foreground of the sixth plate. The same cleanness, good
order and neatness, which are the striking features of the houses of
Litakun, were equally conspicuous in these.

After having seen various other domestic articles, I returned home,
leaving them all exceedingly pleased at my visit, which, I doubt not,
furnished them with abundant matter for conversation during the
remainder of the day.

I had scarcely seated myself in my waggon, before Mollemmi
came to see me, for the purpose of being shown what I had drawn.
I made use of the opportunity for asking him to let me take his por-
trait: but this he was unwilling to allow; nor would he give any
reason for his refusal.

The rest of the afternoon was employed in finishing my sketch ;
though I was never without tobacco-beggars before me. I now, how-
ever, succeeded better in resisting their importunities and gave away
less ‘than on any previous day.

‘Speelman and Keyser, who had been out hunting since yesterday
morning, and had passed the night in the plains, returned this after-
noon; having shot a quakka (zebra). They were attended, during
the whole time, by three natives, who assisted in bringing home the
meat, and whose knowledge of Bachapin customs, was cf great service
in finding cooking utensils ; wherever the chase led them, or when-

456 BAD-FAITH IN BARTERING. 22 Jury,

ever they wished to take a meal, one or other of these men would
leave the party for a few minutes, and return with a large piitsa or
clay boiling-pot.

It seems by the report of my Hottentots, who have several
times had an opportunity of knowing the circumstance, that the
natives have placed pots in various parts of the country, concealed
under the bushes, to remain there for general use, or at least for the
use of their hunting parties, all of whom, probably, know the spots -
where they are to be found. My knowledge of the fact here related,
is derived only from the observation of my Hoittentots; and if it is a
common custom, it is an instance, though a solitary one, of labor
dedicated to public convenience.

I had, two days before, made an agreement with a man for the
purchase of two oxen which he said were then at his cattle-place ;
and as he represented them to be very large and strong animals, I
allowed a proportionably large quantity of beads. Having gained
some experience of this people’s bad-faith, I would not pay for
them till the cattle were brought home; and accordingly, the beads
in question, were till then deposited in my waggon. But this evening
when the oxen came, they were found to be but steers and not even
full-grown ; and as they could be of no use for the purpose of draw-
ing my waggons, I rejected them, by briefly reminding the owner
that we had made the bargain for large cattle.

Another man, of whom I had at the same time made a similar
purchase, brought also his two oxen. Finding that they accorded
with our agreement, I was going to pay him the beads which had
been reserved as the stipulated price, though it was known to be
much above that which had been paid by former visitors; when the
by-standers, seeing that I approved of this pair, advised him to
demand more. On this he hesitated, and said, that he would not let
me have the oxen unless I gave him that quantity of beads for each:
I had then in my hand the quantity which he had before asked as
the price of the two. As I found it would be impossible to proceed
by such a mode of dealing, I replied that unless he would accept that
which he had agreed to receive, I would not take the oxen even at a

1812. TROUBLES OCCASIONED BY THE HOTTENTOTS. 457

single bead more. He was persuaded to believe that I was so much
in need, that necessity would compel me to purchase them at any
rate, in which hope, he refused to lower his demand. The beads were
therefore, again put into the waggon, and the oxen were driven home.
I record these and many other transactions equally trifling in them-
selves, because they exemplify much of the national character.

It happened, the night being cold, that I came out of the wag-
gon to warm myself at the Hottentots’ fire, all of them being at that
hour asleep ; and, as it was my custom on such occasions to look
around to see if all was right, I discovered that the horses were
missing. Fearful that it might be an act of treachery of the natives,
I awoke some of my people to inquire into the circumstance. They
were already well acquainted with it, and had, notwithstanding, laid
themselves very composedly down to sleep, intending to search for
them in the morning ; if the lions should not have made prey of them
in the mean while.

It was again entirely through the neglect of Andries that they
had been lost: it was his day for attending the cattle at pasture, and
he had probably been lying all the time asleep under a bush, instead
of watching to prevent their straying away. The disposition of this
Hottentot, was either so careless, so worthless, or so stupid, that no
reprimand had any effect in causing him to pay more attention to
the duty which had been allotted tohim. And though this duty was
the simplest and least laborious of all; being merely to watch the
cattle at pasture and drive them home in the evening; it was, in
another point of view, a very important one, as the loss of the oxen
and horses would have put an end to my journey, at least in its
present form.

I therefore appointed Van Roye and Cornelis to take charge of
the cattle, each on alternate days, considering them to be men on
whom I might more safely depend. Hitherto no defined employment
had been assigned to these two, because the character which had been
given me with them, as baptized Hottentots and men who had
received some instruction, seemed to promise for them a conscientious
readiness to make themselves useful on every occasion; and for this

VOL. II. 3N

458 CONDUCT OF VAN ROYE AND CORNELIS. 22, 23 Jury,

reason it was deemed more advantageous to the expedition, and con-
ferring some distinction on them, not to limit their duty, in the
manner which it had been found necessary to do with respect to the
rest. But during the three months in which they had been in my pay,
they had literally done no work at all; unless the act of one making
the horses fast in the evening when they were brought home, and the
other untying their halters in the morning, could be regarded by
them as a service of importance enough to entitle them to higher
wages than any of my other men. Although two of these horses
were seldom ridden by any but themselves, they left all the actual
care of them to the other Hottentots. They had carefully avoided
all the usual business of travelling; such as cooking their own food,
lighting a fire, fetching fuel and water, assisting in taking off the
skin and cutting up the game, drying the meat, greasing the waggon-
wheels, driving the sheep or oxen when we travelled, cutting branches
for making a cattle-pound to secure them at night; as they chose to
view these employments as beneath the character of a Christian. On
one occasion when all, excepting Cornelis and Stuurman, were either
hunting or otherwise absent from the town, I gave orders that the
former should broil a steak for my dinner, but without any hesitation
he sent me word that he understood nothing of cooking: I was
therefore obliged to wait till it could be broiled by one of the
Hottentots. And even, when I have wished to employ these in any
work above that of a Hottentot, they have invariably made the same
reply, that they did not understand how to do it. Van Roye once
told me with a great deal of ease and unconcern, that he did not
know how to cut up meat into slices for drying ; probably because he
saw all the other people doing this work. I now told them, that as
it would endanger the safety of the whole party, to trust the cattle
any longer to the care of Andries and Stuurman, I appointed them
to this duty, believing them to be people on whom I might place
reliance.

23rd. This morning the Chief’s principal herdsman came to my
waggon to announce that there was in the mootsi, waiting to see me,
a man who had brought four oxen for the purchase of a musket.

1812. DISPUTES ARISING FROM BARTERING. 459

Every transaction with Mattivi relative to this subject, was well-
known to all the inhabitants, and I was therefore surprised at any
further attempt, more especially as I had given a positive refusal to
Mollemmi on a similar occasion. I now felt a suspicion that the
present proposal proceeded in reality from the same quarter. I
therefore expressed myself decidedly resolved not to listen to any
offers of this kind: and the oxen were, in consequence, driven away
without either they or the man having been seen by me.

Soon after this, Mollémmi came to ask for three charges of
powder and ball, which he said he wanted, as he was going out
hunting. I replied that as he and his brother had already received
as much as could be spared, no more could be given them. He then
demanded some tobacco; this | gave him, though the tone of voice
in which it was asked, was much less civil than usual.

In the afternoon, one of the chieftains who was frequently in
Mattivi’s party, desired to look at my beads again, as he intended
offering me two oxen for sale. I told him that I found myself
obliged to give up all further bartering, as it had always been found
to end, not in purchase, but in dispute ; that as my object, in coming
to Litakun, was to form a friendly acquaintance with the Bachapins,
I was most desirous of avoiding every thing which could lead to the
least misunderstanding. He persisted, however, in bringing the
oxen; but I continued fixed in my resolution; and thus the affair
ended.

_ During the whole of the day, without the shortest respite, I was
surrounded by people constantly begging or waiting for tobacco; and
I had the mortification to find that a day had thus passed by, without
any useful or agreeable result.

Van Roye, whom I had supposed to have entered upon his new
duty of attending the cattle, with perfect willingness, convinced me
in the evening when he brought them home, how much I had
mistaken his character. On my sending for him to inquire if he had
found in that part of the plain, grass enough for the oxen, he answered
in a surly tone, and with insolent gesture, Yes ; and added, that, it

3N 2

460 DISOBEDIENCE AND INSOLENCE OF 23 Juty,

was very strange that Andries could not take care of the oxen; as
the new ones were not so unruly as he had represented them to be.

Cornelis uncalled for, came up at the same moment, and with
equal insolence, told me that if the ox-leaders did not take proper
care of the cattle, it was the duty of the drivers to attend to them.
On this, they both with a step very expressive of defiance to my
authority, marched away.

When I called the latter back, to ask him what meaning he had
in making that remark, he replied with an intolerably disrespectful
manner, that if I would appoint them to be the waggon-drivers, they
would look after the oxen; otherwise, they would not go out with
them again. Having said this, they turned their back, and in open
contempt walked out of the enclosure.

Much as I had hitherto borne, of these worthless Hottentots’
laziness, this behaviour, in the presence of all the rest and of the
Chief and a large party of chieftains who were at that time assembled
in the mootsi, was not to be endured; as the certain consequences
would have been, the total want of subordination of all my men and
some serious liberties on the part of the natives, who would now be
convinced that I was unable to check even the disobedience of my own
servants. But knowing that the safety of all depended on unanimity,
or, if that was inattainable, at least, on due subordination, I resolved
at all hazards to maintain my authority ; and, buckling on my pistols
and cutlass, I hastily followed Cornelis, with Speelman and Platje
whom I ordered to bring him back. But as he was the tallest and
stoutest man of our party, they declared that they were afraid to
approach him.

I was obliged therefore, to support the step which I had taken, by
hastening alone towards him ; and on overtaking him, commanded
him instantly to return to bie waggons. He was at the first moment,
on the point of refusing ahsdieheet ; but observing me to be armed,
and seeing me determined on enforcing my words, he thought it
more advisable to obey; and with a slow and reluctant pace, walked
before me to the enclosure.

1812. VAN ROYE AND CORNELIS. 461

Mattivi, on seeing me arm myself to pursue this man, had
quitted his party and alone followed me at a short distance, as if to
witness the result ; but he said nothing, nor in any manner interposed
his authority, either to restrain my proceedings or to assist them,

As soon as we had reached the waggons, I assembled my men,
and in their presence, declared to Cornelis that unless he begged my
pardon for the great disrespect of which he had been guilty, I would
instantly have him punished. He seemed to hesitate. At this
moment I felt myself placed in that critical situation which was
balanced between violent measures and all the dangers of ineffective
authority. Nothing could be more discordant to my disposition, or
wishes, than the former, nor more fatal to the expedition, than the
latter. While I assumed the appearance of a firm resolution to have
my threats put immediately into execution, I in reality made a delay of
a minute or two, in order to give him time to reflect on the dangerous
position in which we all stood. This had the effect so much hoped
for; and he at length begged pardon for his conduct. He did it,
however, in so unwilling a manner, that it was evident that I had
preserved nothing more than the bare appearance of my command.

When this affair was ended, as I supposed, and all had returned
to their hut, Mattivi and Mollemmi came to my waggon, and sat with
me for about half an hour. In the course of our conversation, he
noticed what had just passed, and said, he was glad that I had suc-
ceeded by words, in making him obedient ; that whenever any of his
servants were disobedient, he always endeavoured to bring them to
their duty by the same means.

But during that time, Cornelis, whom my manner had alarmed
into a concession of his error, had recovered his refractory spirit, and
began to repent of having shown submission. As soon as they were
gone, he came once more to the waggon to ask me why I went to
him with arms in my hand. I succeeded in stifling all my anger at
this revival of his insolence, and replied; that I should give neither
him, nor any of my men, reasons for what I did; that I most
seriously advised him not to try the experiment of again irritating
me, but to go away and remember that as he was my servant, he was

462 ADMONITION TO THE REFRACTORY. 23, 24 Jury,

bound to be obedient and to do the duty to which I thought proper
to appoint him ; and that, let the consequences be what they might,
I was resolved that my men should obey me. Seeing therefore no
prospect of gaining the mastery by intimidation, he made no further
reply, but walked quietly away.

I afterwards took an opportunity of talking to Speelman, who,
I knew, disapproved of his conduct and reprobated his uselessness.
I desired him to advise the other to be cautious in his behaviour,
never in future to attempt resistance to his master; and to tell him
that I recommended him, as he had learnt to read, to look frequently
over the written agreement by which he was engaged in my service,
and to conform to what was there stated to be his duty ; and that he
and all the rest of my men might know that if I required of them any
unreasonable service or acted unjustly towards them, I was amenable
to authorities in the Colony as much as they were; but that, as long
as we were wandering in a country where unanimity was necessary to
our safety, I would be obeyed ; and that it should be perilous for any
man of them to resist my orders.

Thus ended one of the most turbulent days which I had
experienced since the commencement of my journey.

24th. On the next day Cornelis came in a respectful manner to
ask for some leather, that he might make himself a pair of shoes; all
Hottentots generally, being their own shoemakers. He begged that
he might be allowed to remain at home to make them, and that I
would in the mean time appoint some one in his place, to attend the
oxen till his shoes were ready.

Although this seemed to wear some little appearance of being
only a plea for deferring an open submission to my former regula-
tion, yet, as I considered his refractory spirit as now subdued, I gave
him immediately what he asked for. I took this opportunity of
calmly admonishing him against disobedience, and of advising him,
as well as the others, that, if they thought a reasonable objection
existed against any orders which I might issue, they should rather
represent the case to me in a respectful manner, when they might be
assured that I should always be ready to listen, and, that if their

1812. SURPRISE AT THE PORTRAIT OF MOLLEMMI. 463

representations were just, I should suffer myself to be guided by
them. He then voluntarily confessed that the words which he had
yesterday made use of, were uttered in haste and without reflection,
and that he now felt sorry at having expressed himself in so unbe-
coming a manner.

Mollimmi, who had long resisted my solicitations to sit for his
portrait, was this morning prevailed on by the offer of a quantity of
tobacco, to grant my request.

This being the first portrait which I had drawn at Litakun, it
was fortunate that I succeeded in obtaining a strong likeness, as the
circumstance made a very favorable impression on the natives and
pleased them excessively. As soon as it was known, for he imme-
diately went and told every body what I had done, every one
crowded to see it. Mattivi came smiling, and calling out, Akkui bon!
(Let me see!): and after his first surprise was over, he exclaimed,
Singke! Singke! (Very pretty! Very well!) But the astonishment
of the crowd, on seeing Mollemmi in a book, is not very easily to be
described; nor perhaps imagined, without having been witnessed.
They fixed their eyes on it with a degree of attention which
seemed to give to their countenances an expression not very unlike
that of fear. It was evident that so strange and unexpected a
sight, absorbed all their thoughts; till, on taking their eyes off the
drawing and turning to their companions, they burst into laughter
and expressed their surprise and delight in a variety of modes,
all equally comic. Their quickness in comprehending a hasty un-
coloured drawing, for I was obliged to complete it in a quarter of
an hour, and in discovering at the first glance the meaning of every
line, gave me a favourable opinion of their discernment.

Having remarked, when I paid the visit to Serrakutu, that the
view of Litakun seen from a spot close to his mootsi, comprised
enough of the general character of the scenery to give a good idea of
the nature and appearance of the town, I again took a walk thither,
for the purpose of making a drawing of it; and which forms the
subject of the sixth plate.

As I now began to consider Juli as more faithfully attached to

464. A WALK TO SERRAKUTU’S MOOTSI. 24 Jury,

me, than most of my other Hottentots, I took him as my attendant
in this walk, that it might be rendered more pleasant by the presence
of one whose conduct, by forming a contrast with that which has just
been described, seemed in some degree to have the effect of an
antidote against the vexation which that had caused me. While, the
occupation of drawing, and the expectation that I should one day,
surrounded by my friends, have the pleasure of showing them by
these means the interesting scene now before me, relieved my mind
from the uneasy sensations at the past, and enabled me to enjoy all
the gratification and instruction which the prospect afforded.

In addition to this, I had the good-fortune to be allowed to take
my walk through the town without great molestation from tobacco-
beggars ; and during my drawing I was not much incommoded by
the curiosity of the inhabitants, as there were seldom so many col-
lected together at one time, as to form a crowd around me. They
stood looking over me for a little while, and then went away. Those
who_happened to be passing that way, as they were returning home
with their jars of water, or loads of firewood, stopped a minute or
two to inquire the object of my employment. Others were walking
idly about, or sitting on the ground occupied merely in occasional
conversation, or in asking questions of those who had just been
looking at my drawing: while a larger party were in a similar manner
passing their time under the beautiful acacias in Serrakutu’s mootsi. *

®

* The sixth plate represents a view of part of Litdkun as seen from the foot of the
hills on its northern side, and looking westerly. It exhibits scarcely a third of the town;
the other part lying extended over the plain much farther to the right, and occupying the
lower part of the valley as far as the distant hills. About the middle of the picture, and
just above the trunk of an acacia, may be seen the roof of the Chief’s dwelling, and close to
it the mdofsi (moatsi) or public enclosure, distinguished by the two waggons. The horizon
on the left, is formed by a boundless view over the Great Plains of Litakun; that on the
right is intercepted by low hills similar to those which shelter the town on the south, and
which may be imagined as rising up immediately behind the spectator. The nearest house
on the left, is the residence of Serrakutu’s younger wife, and his mootsi enclosed by a
hedge of dry branches, is seen farther to the right. The large trees within that fence,
are of the kind named Acacia Litdkunensis, and called méshu by the inhabitants. As
they are faithful portraits of the trees from which they were drawn, they will convey
to the botanist, as well as to the general observer, a correct idea of their growth, and

-

fo

Engraved & (laced. after the eriginal Drawing mail by Wad) Burchell, ey

” pt: ey Mei
On Uven Zi the oun of Lehn

PiKuhat by Loapman & O° Mag 1.1828

1812. THE WEATHER. — ARRIVAL OF BERENDS. 465

The weather was now exceedingly agreeable ; and to those who
have felt the inconvenience of the over-moist air of the British
islands, and of their great variability of weather, the almost constant
sunshine of Africa has, during the winter season when the heat of its
beams is moderate, a cheering and enlivening effect. A constitution
naturally susceptible of these effects, would feel them the more
sensibly when, as at the present time, the nights were extremely
chilly. The average mid-day heat during this month, did not exceed
70° (16°8 R.; 21:1 C.), a temperature at which the presence of the
sun was welcome, and ~ ven desirable.

About sunset we were surprised by the cracking of whips, and
the rattling of two waggons driving into the town; and shortly after-
wards, their owners came to me. I was much pleased at finding it
to be our old acquaintance Berends the Hottentot captain: having
with him Jan Hendrik one of the inhabitants of Klaarwater, together
with about fourteen other Hottentots. These were part of the hunt-
ing expedition which had been already noticed as having set out from
the Asbestos Mountains on the day before I reached that place on
my return from Graaffreynet.

Berends informed me that he had left the rest of his party with

ramification, and of the elegant form of their light masses of foliage. The stumps or
trunks are of the Mokdla tree or Acacia giraffe, and having been cut down for the purpose
of building the town, the branches which have since sprung from them, serve by the
number of years growth which they exhibit, to confirm the statement that this town had
not stood in its present situation longer than six years, at the date of these Travels. The
other bushes are younger plants of the same species. All the jgures represent men,
excepting the three in the foreground, and the one more distant and immediately to the
left of these. On the right, are two armed men returning from a distant cattle-station,
and driving before them an ov loaded with bags of milk. Just above the hedge under the
great trees, may be seen the heads of persons assembled in the mootsi. The woman in
the foreground, carrying a piitsa (a pot or jar) on her head, and an ox-horn in her hand,
is going for water. She is clothed only in the makkdbi and musés?, and wears a number
of thick leathern rings round her ancles. Her daughter, who is playing with an ostrich-
feather, wears, as usual at her age, only the makkdbi: her peculiar figure or the hollow-
ness of the back, is often very remarkable among the children of various African tribes.
The other child, a little boy, has, as usual at that age, no clothing whatever. The other
objects seen in this engraving, will be rendered sufficiently intelligible by the descriptions
contained in the two following chapters.

VOL. II. 30

466 ELEPHANT HUNTERS. 24 Jury;

six waggons waiting for him on the banks of Makkwarin, at a spot
much farther westward than that at which I had crossed it. His
object in coming to Litakun, was to barter for ivory and cattle. During
the expedition they had shot thirty-nine full-grown elephants, be-
sides a number of young ones; and would have continued their
hunting longer, had not all their gunpowder and ball been expended.

Berends’s waggon was stationed in Serrakutu’s mootsi, and
Hendrik’s in that of another chieftain who was his maat (partner,
or agent), a term which will be explained hereafter.

These men seemed pleased at falling in with me in this distant
part of Africa; and on both sides, our meeting was a very unex-
pected circumstance. To me it was far from disagreeable, notwith-
standing my recollection of what we had experienced at Klaar-
water, and the just cause which I had for hoping that after I lost
sight of Cupido Kok at Kosi Fountain, I should never have to
encounter any of that people again.

This hunting party had long consumed all the provisions and
stores which they had laid in for the whole journey: they had been
for some time living only on what they procured with their muskets ;
and latterly, on the cattle which they had driven with them. Berends
was rejoiced when I offered him three quarters of a pound of gun-
powder for a peck of salt, which he said he had in the waggons at the
Makkwarin, and which I engaged to send for. They expressed their
warmest gratitude when I presented to them some brandy, tobacco,
and a small quantity of tea leaves, the three greatest luxuries,
besides meat, which can be given to a, Hottentot.

Berends said that all his people were heartily desirous of reach-
ing home, from which they had been absent so great a length of
time, two months; and began now to be really tired of hunting. As
for himself, he was less anxious on that account, as he had taken
with him the principal part of his family, and had been accompanied
on this toilsome expedition by his wife. But my surprise at a female
‘being able to endure the fatigues of so rough a journey, gradually
ceased as I became more acquainted with the Hottentot character ;
and I learnt at last to consider a Hottentot woman as fully equal to

1812. MUTINOUS CONDUCT OF VAN ROYE. 467

the task of following her husband in all his migrations and wander-
ings, and of bearing all the hardships of a savage life.

When these men had returned to their waggons, my mind,
which had very unexpectedly received some recreation by their
arrival, was again put into a state of irritation and uneasiness by dis-
covering that Van Roye manifested a determination not only to re-
sist my authority by disobedience, but even to act in open defiance of
it. Notwithstanding my having yesterday appointed him to attend
the oxen and horses, and forbidden Andries being sent with them
again, he had ordered him and Philip, for he often assumed over the
other Hottentots, an insolent command which he supposed to belong
to him in right of his being a ‘ Christemensch,’ to take the cattle to
pasture; while he absented himself during the day till about three
in the afternoon, at which time he came home, giving me to under-
stand that he had been the whole time with the horses, and had
brought them to the river, where he had left them to be driven
to town by the herdsman.

At this time I took no notice of his conduct, but in the evening,
I sent by Philip my positive orders that he, and no one else, should
attend the cattle on the following day ; and warned him against dis-
obedience, as I was resolved not to allow it to pass a second time ;
but would most surely convince him, in the severest manner, that
any attempt of that kind, would be in vain.

Could I, three days before this, have believed that these two
men were so little the better for the instructions they had received,
that they would thus have acted in breach of all moral and _ religious
precepts, or could I have foreseen the difficulties, and the dilemma,
to which their defiance of my authority would have reduced me, I
should rather have chosen patiently to support them as worthless lazy
encumbrances on my journey, than incur the risk of so dangerous
an example for the rest of my men, as that of a disposition approach-
ing towards mutiny. But as the affair had, by steps which could not be
averted, proceeded thus far, there was now no choice remaining, and
it was evident that, if my expedition was to be preserved from a fatal
termination, there were no means left for my adoption, but that most

30 2

468 TRIAL OF JAN VAN ROYE 25 Juny,

uncongenial alternative, of maintaining my command by violent
measures.

25th. In the evening, when my cattle returned home, I found
that they had been the whole day under the care of Platje; that Van
Roye, who had again absented himself till the hour of their return,
had ordered this Hottentot to attend them, and had himself not gone
near them till a little before that time. In order more clearly to
show me his disposition, and his inclination to disrespect, he con-
ducted himself before me with a gait and looks, which were too clear
and visible to the rest of my men and the natives, to admit of my
pretending not to see and understand them.

It became therefore unavoidable, to take serious notice of his
conduct ; and I immediately ordered all my men to be present at
the waggons, and declared that it was now my intention to punish
his disobedience ; but that I would first hear, in the presence of all,
what he had to say in his defence. Jan Hendrik was in the mootsi
at this time, and I desired him to seek for Berends with a message
requesting his attendance, as being a Hottentot captain, to witness
my proceedings with one of my men who had dared openly to dis-
obey me.

I laid my pistols and sword close at hand on the chest in my
waggon, to impress more strongly on my people the serious nature
of the affair. The formalities with which I conducted every thing, and
the approach of night, rendered the whole more solemn, and com-
manded a certain degree of respect from all those who were present.
The Hottentots waited in silence the arrival of Berends and Hen-
drik, and stood motionless around my waggon. Mattivi and his
chieftains, whose whole attention was fixed on us, were sitting at a
little distance: not a word was spoken by any one; nor was the
least sound to be heard in the mootsi. Neither the Chief, nor any
of the natives, attempted to interfere with these transactions; nor
did they make the smallest remark: all were serious and still. |

At length Berends and Hendrik arrived; together with most of
their people; I commenced the business by informing them that I
had desired their presence, in order that what I was about to say

1812. FOR MUTINY. 469

and do, as well as the conduct of one of my men, might have some
credible witnesses and pass before impartial judges whose opinion I
wished to have: and that Berends more especially, who was a captain
acknowledged by the Cape government, should take notice of the
proceedings.

I then, with the aid of a light, read aloud the written agree-
ment by which he, and Cornelis, had legally bound themselves in
the obligation to go with me wherever I should think advisable, and
punctually to obey every order, under penalty of all his wages, and
of legal punishment.

After this I called on my men to declare freely, and without
any apprehension of gaining my displeasure by giving an opinion
against me, whether I had ever issued to Van Roye or any of them,
orders to which they were not bound, or not able, to conform: their
answers I wished to be directed rather to Berends than to me. They
replied that it could not with truth be said that I had ever given a
harsh order. I then required them to declare whether they were of
opinion that I had, or had not, just cause of complaint against that
Hottentot for having done so much less work than any of the rest of
my people, that he might be considered as having done nothing.
All immediately answered, that it was not to be denied that he had
done very little.

When Platje was called forward to give his evidence, he made
attempts at prevarication, and would have given answers different
from those which I received when interrogating him at the moment
of his return home with the oxen.

On being questioned where Van Roye was during the day, or
if he had been with the cattle, he replied that he did not know,
but believed him to have been passing his time with some of the
Hottentots of Berends’s party. Philip followed his example in of-
fering a statement very contradictory to that which he had made to
me in the morning; at which time he told me that, on the previous
evening, in answer to the orders communicated by him, Van Roye
said that he would never attend the oxen.

Van Roye, on being applied to for his defence, asserted that he

470 VAN ROYE’S DEFENCE, 25 Jury,

was the whole day with the oxen, though, he confessed, it was at a
distance, and that it was the pursuit of some spring-bucks which took
him away. On being asked how it happened that, contrary to express
orders, any one besides himself had attended the oxen, he was
unable to make a reply. Platje observing this, stepped forward
and testified that, for his own part, no one had ordered him to take
charge of the cattle, but that he went to attend them purely of his
own accord.

Perceiving how little hesitation these men had in fabricating
any contradictory story which they thought could answer their pur-
pose, and how little regard they had to truth, although they knew
me to be already as well acquainted with the facts as they themselves
were, I produced a Dutch Testament, and as Van Roye could read
tolerably well, I bade him take notice what book it was. With
some formality, I administered to him the usual oath to relate the
truth; relying on his being ignorant that the practice of courts of
law did not require an accused person to make his defence on oath:
but the present case demanded some departure from legal strictness.
He then proceeded to relate his story and reply to my questions ;
but, in so contradictory a manner, and with so much hesitation
and prevarication, that I failed in my endeavours to obtain from
him the truth.

Seeing this, I admonished him of the dreadful crime which he
would commit by uttering a falsity at the moment when he called
God to witness his veracity: I explained to him in the most solemn
and impressive manner, the respect which he as a Christian ought to
show to that book; and that it was better he should at once condemn
himself by confessing his fault in the presence of his companions,
than by prevarication and wilful misrepresentation, pronounce his
own condemnation in the presence of God, to whom all our actions
and thoughts were known.

These admonitions had their proper effect upon him; I read in
his countenance and manner, that he began to feel his error in per-
sisting to defend conduct which he knew to be wrong, and that a
few words more would decide him to confess that he was blameable.

1812. CONVICTION AND PARDON. 471

I therefore, after repeating to him the substance of several passages
in the New Testament, desired him to lay his hand on the book,
and say, whether, in his own conscience, he really thought that his con-
duct towards me was influenced by the spirit of obedience which
that book taught and commanded a servant to show to a master.
Self-conviction instantaneously operated on his mind, and he answered,
No. I then asked him, in a tone which might encourage him
to give the answer | wished, if he now felt disposed to conduct
himself in future as his duty demanded: to which he readily re-
plied, Yes. To conclude: I told him, that if he did as, in the
presence of all, he had now promised to do, I was willing in the
same manner to promise forgiveness; and would, according to his
fulfilment of this promise, even forget all past cause of complaint.

Then, turning to my own men and to Berends and the other
people who were assembled, I said, that I felt most happy that the
affair had terminated thus, as it had been my fixed resolution, in
case it had been otherwise, to have inflicted the severest punishment
which the laws would sanction: that so long as we were within the
limits of the Colony, it would have been my duty to have brought
an offender before a regular court of justice, or a landdrost ; but that
when. a party of men, legally under the command of one of their
number as their head, quitted those limits, and at any time refused
to obey him conformably to their agreement, he possessed the power
of punishing them himself: that I had no doubt that my men were
not aware of the great crime which they committed, nor of the
severe punishment which they incurred, when they disobeyed my
orders or disputed my authority ; but, that having now explained to
them the true situation in which they stood, I felt assured that no
one would be wicked enough, or so forgetful of his own interest, as
ever to offend in future.

With this I dismissed them: and, thanking Berends and Hendrik
for their attendance, these, and their people, returned to their
waggons.

My own men had received a useful lesson; and appeared not
only disposed to profit by it, but to feel those sentiments with which

472 NECESSITY OF MAINTAINING DUE AUTHORITY. 235, 26 Jury,

I was desirous of inspiring them. As I had principally endeavoured
to convince them that I wished to make them respect and esteem,
rather than fear, me, they were not made uneasy by these pro-
ceedings, but seemed satisfied that they were just, and such as the
case required. As to Van Roye, I rejoiced to find that I had suc-
ceeded in working a change in his feelings, which were at length, by
means of some serious and admonitory conversation which I after-
wards had with him in my waggon in the presence of Juli, converted
into those of a becoming humility and obedience: and although, un-
fortunately, this change was not permanent, yet it continued for some
time to produce a good effect. The check which his and Cornelis’s
insolent temper now received, taught them and all my party, that
they would not be suffered easily to take the reins of affairs out
of the proper hands: unless, indeed, they resorted to open mutiny
and force; an experiment which I did not fear their being hardy
enough to attempt, as they could not but know that by proceeding
to that extremity they would render their return into the Colony
impossible, and forfeit to the laws every advantage which they might
expect, or hope to derive, from that quarter.

To maintain a command over these Hottentots, I was compelled,
by my peculiar circumstances, to assume an authority which legally
did not belong to me; but this affair served to convince me how
important, and indispensably necessary, it is for the safety and success
of every similar expedition, that the leader of it should be fortified
with special power to enforce, if occasion required, the obedience
and due co-operation of its members: for, the perverseness of human
nature when uncontrolled, seems every where alike to seduce men
from unanimity, and strangely to mislead them to prefer turbulence
to peace.
26th. Observing a little child, apparently about five or six years
old, standing by our fire and anxiously watching my men in hopes
of getting a piece of meat, and seeing that its features were not those
of a Bachapin child, I had the curiosity to go nearer to examine
them. But I never beheld an object which more strongly excited
my compassion: the sight of this wretched poor little creature,

1812, A CHILD NEARLY STARVED TO DEATH. 473

pained me to the heart, and I stood for some minutes shocked at
the view of its emaciated and more than half-starved figure. Those
who have seen a human skeleton of that age, may obtain an idea of
this child’s form, not greatly exaggerated, by imagining the bones
of the body and limbs, to be wrapped round with a wet cloth.
Those rounded shapes which are given to the human figure by flesh
only, had dwindled quite away. The legs and arms were merely
straight sticks; the calf was entirely gone; the fibula and ulna were
plainly distinguishable ; and the knees and elbows were comparatively
large knots. The abdomen was contracted in an _ extraordinary
degree; and behind, scarcely any flesh concealed the shape of the
bones termed os sacrum, and os ilium. 'The collar-bones seemed to
project unnaturally; and the blade-bones, the spine and the ribs,
were in appearance covered only with skin. In short, this miserable
little boy, who from his age could not have been capable of harm, or
guilty of offence, was on the point of being starved to death.

A Bachapin who was sitting in the hut, seeing me look so
attentively and compassionately on this object, told me that it was
a Bushman’s child, and belonged to him; that in an attack upon a
Bushman kraal, he had siezed him, and carried him off as a prisoner
of war; that he was therefore his by right; and that, if I wished to
buy him, I should have him for a sheep! !

This is Man, without morality or religion! This is the selfish
savage, without feeling! This man, because the unfortunate child
was not his own, did not think him worth feeding, although he
would gladly have sold him, for food to gratify his own gluttonous
appetite, and to have enabled him and his family, for about two
days, to feast without ceasing. Alas! Man who vaunts himself the
noblest work of the creation ; how closely does he approach to Brute,
when reason lies dormant, or when the passions usurp its place!
The power of speech forms but a weakly distinctive character, for
him whose intellect is never exerted. The boasted human form will
hardly raise him in rank above some quadrupeds, when it serves no
better purpose than that only of ministering to animal appetite.

Other instances of want of feeling, are to be found in this

VOL. Il. 3 P

4°74 MORUNA, THE KARRIKARRI TRADER. 96 Jury,

land, and the first which commonly meet a traveller’s eye, are
the wretched half-starved dogs, which, driven by hunger, prowl
around him to devour every piece of animal substance which they
can find; and unless he be every evening careful to place his riems,
trektowws, and even his shoes, out of their reach, he will most pro-
bably find them, in the morning, gnawed to pieces, or perhaps even
carried off entirely. That the cattle belonging to this nation, are
more fortunate, with respect to food, than the domestic animals, is to
be accounted for solely by their living on grass, and not on any sub-
stance which their owners can convert into food for themselves.

As Berends and Hendrik had visited several Bichuana nations
of whom little was hitherto known, and were of the first and only
party which had advanced so far into the Interior, I took the oppor-
tunity of gleaning from them, all the information they were able to
give, and engaged them in my waggon the greater part of the fore-
noon. What they now related, was afterwards found useful as a clue
to further inquiries among the natives themselves ; from whose testi-
mony I was enabled to confirm the principal part of their account.

They mentioned a Bichuana of the name of Morina, as a person
who could give some information relative to a distant tribe called
Kérrikarri, very little known and living to the north-north-west of
Litakun. At my request they went to his house, to bring him to
me; but he could not be found. They learnt that he was about to
set out on the following day or the day after, on a journey to the
Karrikarri country, for the purpose of bartermg for the skins of
jackals, and kaamas, and various smaller skins used for making the
fur-cloaks. His visits to that tribe, were regular and frequent,
perhaps every year ; and.his stay amongst them was usually a month
or two, which he employed in collecting together a quantity of these
skins sufficient for the loading of two or three oxen.

I am satisfied to rely on Hendrik alone, as a confirmation
from the natives could not of course be obtained, for a botanical
fact which is exceedingly interesting: that in the country of the
Nuakketsis he had seen the wagenboom, which he pronounced to be
exactly the same tree as the one which is known by that name in the

1812. ° NUAKKETSI BOTANY. —MATTIVI’S INQUIRIES. 475

Cape Colony. Whether this be really so or not, it is doubtless a
species of Protea, and proves the re-appearance of that tribe of plants,
after an interval of above seven degrees of latitude from the last spot
where I had seen any of the species. In the whole of that interval,
this genus, and several others which characterize the botany of the
Cape, are, as I have formerly remarked *, no where to be seen. At
Klaarwater, a piece of the stem of a tree or shrub, was shown to me,
which was said to have been cut in the country of the Nuakketsis,
and which gave me the idea that the botany of that region, had a
character different from that of the southern part of the Trans-
gariepine. This piece of wood was about an inch and a half in
diameter, and so deeply quadrisulcated, that a transverse section ap-
peared like a cross.

These Hottentots still persisted in repeating the old story of
the dangers of venturing farther into the Interior. To this story, my

ears had for many months been so much accustomed, that, like the

palate habituated to stimulating food, they were no longer suscep-
tible of any excitation from that which had, at first, produced con-
siderable sensation: but an addition which was now made to it,
possessed a stimulus sufficiently sharp to rouse my attention and create
some degree of uneasiness. Mattivi had been in conversation with
Berends relatively to the course which I might mean to take, after
leaving Litakun ; and had questioned him respecting my intentions
of proceeding farther northward. On this subject, he fortunately
was not able to give any certain information ; although it was evident
by the Chief’s answer, that the latter had some suspicions. He told
Berends that if the white-people at the Cape would bring a strong
party of men to revenge the murder of the two Englishmen already
mentioned, and of their companions, he would send a large body of
Bachapins to accompany them to Melitta, where they would soon be
convinced who had been the authors of it. Berends, who gave credit
to this account, and who, as well as Hendrik and several others of their
people, were ready and willing to engage in such an undertaking,

* In the first volume, at page 208.

3P 2

476 OPPOSITION TO MONARRI. — SORCERY. 26 Jury,

said that they would promise to furnish more than fifty men armed
with muskets and mounted on good horses, in case the Cape govern-
ment would send ammunition and a strong commando. Mattivi
talked very seriously with him, and appeared warmly desirous that
I should return to the Colony and bring back a more numerous
party ; for, said he, if Mondrri means to go among the tribes beyond
Litakun, with so few men as he has now with him, he will only go
there for his death, and I shall therefore oppose his proceeding
farther in that direction.

This declaration was too important, and interested me too
closely, not to create some uneasiness in my mind, lest he should
eventually attempt forcibly to restrain me from travelling in that
quarter. As to the truth of the story, or the just foundation there
might be for these pretended fears for my safety, I believed Mattivi,
as little as I had believed the Klaarwater tales; because, I could
discern through that flimsy veil, motives which had no connection
whatever with my safety or with my success.

He told Berends, that he had just received information that the
oxen, which had been sent to him as a present from Mokkaba (or
Makkaba) the Nuakketsi Chief, were so infected with the poison of
sorcery, for the purpose of causing his death, that he did not dare to
make use of them. He added, that as there happened to be one of these
among the oxen which he had given me, he should take it back and
give me another; for, that if I should retain it and take it home to
my country, it would induce ill-will between my nation and his. When
Berends offered to take these oxen from him in barter, Mattivi was
highly averse from the proposal, and declared very positively, that he
would never consent to any of his friends having one of them.

Soon after these Hottentots left me, the whole town was thrown
into a state of alarm, by intelligence brought by a small party of
Bachapins who had just arrived from their out-posts or cattle-stations
situated at a considerable distance northward. This party had
travelled with their utmost speed since the morning of the day
before, and hasted directly to Mattivi, to inform him that four of
these cattle-stations had been attacked in the night by a large body

1812. THE TOWN IN A STATE OF ALARM. 477

of Tammikas (or Butémmdkas), who had succeeded in carrying off
the whole of the cattle, after having killed one of the men, and three
of the boys, who had charge of them. These ouwt-posts are in general
but weakly guarded, as the herds are attended chiefly by very
young boys; there being at each post, seldom more than three or
four men for its protection. The enemy, it seems, came quite unex-
pectedly ; and, favoured by the darkness of the night, had stolen upon
them before they had time to disperse the herd or drive the oxen to
some other place of greater security.

The same degree of despatch, with which this intelligence had
been conveyed, was employed in all their movements; for in less
than half an hour after its arrival, a large body of men from the lower
part of the town, and to which these cattle had belonged, marched, or
rather ran, off with the utmost speed to overtake the enemy if pos-
sible, and recover their property. They took with them no provi-
sions, nor any thing but their hassagays. I watched them with my
telescope, as they passed over the hills on the farther side of the
town, till they were out of sight: they departed in a confused
manner, without the least appearance of military regularity ; of which
I do not believe that these tribes have any notion. Several smaller
parties quickly followed in the same straggling manner.

The crying and loud lamentations of women, for, either the loss
of those who had been murdered, or for their husbands or sons who
had just left them, and might, perhaps, never return alive, were now
heard in various parts of the town. Mollemmi was, on this occasion,
the principal acting person in sending off the detachments: the
Chief himself, and Serrakutu, were so much occupied in this affair,
that we saw little more of them in the mootsi, during the rest of the
day.

We were not, however, left without our usual company of natives ;
and nearly as many as before, continued to frequent the enclosure,
and to sit around our fire. In addition to these, we had several of
the Klaarwater Hottentots ; and the whole party thus assembled,
always expected to receive a piece of meat from out of our pot.

478 WARFARE OF SAVAGES.— LETTER TO ENGLAND. 26—28 JuLy,

In the evening one of these natives related to us some particu-
lars respecting the murder of the English travellers before mentioned,
and described various European articles which he said he had seen
among the more northern tribes; and asserted that they were part of
the plunder. He exhibited two long scars which had been purposely
made down his thighs, and told us that they were marks of honor
which he was allowed to bear in consequence of having killed two
men in war. He showed us something hanging at his neck,
resembling a piece of shrivelled leather, which he said was part of
one of them. He assured us, in a manner which appeared serious,
that when an enemy is killed in battle, they cut out the liver, or the
lungs, and broil and eat part of it. On my questioning him closely
whether this were literally a fact, he did not seem to persist in the
truth of it: but I shall not assert that his reason for relinquishing
the story and for not attempting to vindicate the custom, did not
proceed from some sense of shame occasioned by the horror and
and disgust which he must have seen expressed in my countenance.
That which he wore at his neck, appeared to be what he represented
it for: and it is not improbable that this and the practice of swallow-
ing some small part of the body of an enemy, may be the result rather
of superstition or some absurd belief, than of a desire of eating
human flesh, a crime of which I fully acquit the Bachapins; and
consider that to apply to them the name of cannibal, would be
extreme injustice.

27th. I rose at an early hour in the morning to perform the
pleasing task of writing a letter to England, to describe to my family,
as far as it could be foreseen, the prospects of the following part of
my journey. While thus employed, in the midst of a scene so
different from that in which this letter would be opened, a thou-
sand animating reflections mingled with warm hopes, passed rapidly
over my mind; and | confess that some agitation disturbed me,
while for an instant I thought of the possibility of this being the last
letter which they might ever receive, and admitted a momentary
idea, that it might be my destiny never again to behold the land of

1812. BERENDS AND MOLLEMMI DEPART.— THE WAGGONS. 479

my birth or those to whom I was now writing. This letter, at length,
safely reached its destination, and was, perhaps, the first ever received
in Europe, which bore a date from Litakun.

Berends and Hendrik having ended their bartering at this town,
were ready with their waggons and all their party, to take leave
of me at noon; but I detained them an hour longer, till I had con-
cluded my letter. They intended soon after their return home, to
make a journey to the Cape; and promised to take the utmost care
of every thing which I had committed to their charge: a promise
which I afterwards, at my final return to Cape Town, found they had
performed with the greatest punctuality. At parting, I made them
some further presents; to which I added some more gunpowder, as
they complained of being in great want of it. For this indispensable
provision for a journey, they expressed the warmest thanks ; the quan-
tity being estimated as sufficient for procuring more meat than they
could obtain by killing four or five of their oxen.

They were accompanied by Mol/émmi ; and I was not sorry at his
leaving Litakun: for, his frequent importunities for gunpowder and
his unremitted endeavours to get possession of another musket, were
the source of much uneasiness and vexation to me. His intention,
however, was only to visit Klaarwater; and though I had earnestly
advised him to take advantage of so favorable an opportunity for
going to the Cape, he was obstinate in refusing to make that journey
with any one but myself.

28th. The dryness of the weather had caused the fellies of the
little waggon to shrink so much, that the joints began to open, and
the tire itself became loose. ‘This misfortune was not entirely to be
attributed to the weather, as the larger waggon, made by Kilian in
Cape Town, was still in perfect order; while the one bought of
De Bruyn at Tulbagh, was beginning already to fall to pieces. The
difference was occasioned by the fellies having been made of timber
not duly seasoned. I therefore employed Juli in filling up the
vacancy between the tire and the fellies, with small wedges of wood
dipped in tar and driven in as tightly as possible. A crowd of natives
stood around us, watching our operations ; and, if it be in the nature

480 SALT.— PORTRAIT OF MAHURA. 28 Juty,

of a Bichuana ever to adopt the arts of Europe, they gained, probably,
some new and useful ideas. In this work Van Roye assisted; and
now, for the first time, appeared willing to render us service. These
symptoms of improvement were to be attributed to the threats and
admonitions with which I had lately endeavoured to rouse him, and -
I readily flattered myself that they indicated a permanent change of
conduct.

Cornelis also showed himself a more effective member of our
party, and, mounted on one of the horses and leading another by
a thong, had started early in the morning to fetch the salt from the
wageons at the Makkwarin. He was to have accompanied Berends
yesterday, but the horses, being gone to pasture, could not be found
in time. He returned on the evening of the following day, bringing
about a gallon. Those who have never been in want of salt, will
scarcely think this small quantity worth a journey of ninety miles, or
that when obtained, it should appear to us a valuable and important
acquisition.

Being, if I may use the expression, the only ‘ portrait-painter ’
at Litakun, I should soon, had I not rejected many who presented
themselves to me for this purpose, have been as much overwhelmed
with work as their blacksmith, who, in his profession, was also the
only artist; especially as my terms were more profitable to the
person who sat, than to the painter.

Among those whose likeness I was desirous of possessing, was
Mattivi’s younger brother, Mahira whom I have before noticed as a
young man of remarkably handsome countenance as a black. There
was a certain characteristic expression in the eyes, and a smooth and
undefined cast of features, which I found extremely difficult to repre-
sent; and in this attempt I failed, or, to speak more favorably, I did
not, at this time at least, succeed in a degree which could give a cor-
rect idea of that peculiar expression. ‘The natives were not, on
this occasion, so civilized as to flatter me and pay a compliment at
the expense of truth: they very honestly declared, as soon as it was
finished, that it was mdshué (ugly, or, incorrect.)

They then asked again to see the portraits of Mollemmi, of

1812. SCARCITY OF GAME AND PROVISIONS. 481

Silabi, and of Mékwdtst: the two latter were young men who were
frequently among the Chief’s party and, for the first three weeks,
almost constantly in our hut. At the sight of these likenesses, the
crowd were again as much delighted as when they first saw them :
they examined them for a few moments with the same surprise and
attentiveness, and then laughed most heartily, as if unable to conceive
what caused the drawing to look like those persons.

In the afternoon, I took a walk to see another part of the town.
While I was making a sketch of this view, two men came to beg for
tobacco ; but I affected to misunderstand them, and showed the draw-
ing. They were, however, not gifted with much reflection or judge-
ment; for they asked if that was Mollemmi. As some excuse for
their apparent stupidity, these were, probably, people who, having
never seen a portrait, had not the least idea of one; and having
heard by report that Mollemmi was ‘ in the book,’ they supposed
that what they there saw, was that which had been spoken of.

All the game within reach of the inhabitants of the town, was
either destroyed, or rendered by their constant huntings so wild and
difficult of approach, that we were barely able to supply our daily
wants. One or two of my men were out with their gun every
day, and on such excursions several Bachapins never failed. to
aecompany them. ‘They were useful in looking out for the game,
and in bringing it home; but the Hottentots were always obliged to
give up to them a fore-quarter, the head, and all the offal; while the
remainder was devoured, or carried off by our parasites, almost as
soon as it was brought home. Every part of the carcass is eaten by
the natives, and the filthiest of the entrails was therefore deemed
by them too good to be given to our dogs, which they thus robbed
of their food. From this cause, these poor animals began to grow
miserably lean, and too much to resemble the dogs belonging to the
town. The hut where my people cooked their food, was always so
crowded at meal-times, that the Hottentots had scarcely room to sit
down at their own fire. After the natives had finished their daily
employments, they usually joined our party and remained with us till

VOL. II. 3 Q

482 A VISIT TO THE BLACKSMITH: 28, 29 Jury;

they retired to sleep, which was generally between nine and ten
o’clock ; although they sometimes stopped much later.

Such occasions afforded very favorable opportunities for learning
their real character; as they were always fond of conversation. But
though they were ready in communicating information, I soon dis-
covered that a traveller who should repeat every thing he might hear,
would widely mislead others, as to a just idea of the character of the
Bachapin nation.

29th. The Bachapins had but lately begun to practise the art
of working in iron, and, as yet, there was but one mdttr?, or blacksmith,
among them. ‘This man obtained his knowledge from the north-
eastern nations ; and though he was at this time but a beginner and an
imperfect workman, he was, notwithstanding, overwhelmed with work
from every side. His townsmen gave him more to do than he could
perform, though he daily rose before the sun and was constantly
employed till the evening. His work consisted generally in making
hatchets, adzes, knives, hassagays, and hoes or mattocks for breaking
up their corn-land. For this, he was paid either in unwrought iron
obtained by barter from the north-eastern tribes, or in corn, oxen,
cows, goats, tobacco, beads, koboes, leather, or undressed skins,
Even the Chief claimed no right to his labor, without paying him at
the same rate as any other person. This blacksmith was, of course,
rapidly growing rich and reaping the just reward of his industry :
it is therefore surprising that he had not more imitators ; for I could
hear of no more than one of his countrymen who showed any
inclination to follow the same lucrative business.

I this morning satisfied my curiosity by paying a visit to what
my men had dignified with the name of ‘ the blacksmith’s shop ;’
and of which a representation is seen at page 434. I found this
industrious motéri (motoory) at his work as usual: he was sitting in
the open space on the outside of the fence which enclosed his dwell-
ing, and having on one side of him a slight hedge of dry branches
to skreen his fire from the wind. This fire was made in the open
air, and upon the bare ground, without any thing for retaining its

a tat all

1812. DESCRIPTION OF HIS BELLOWS. 483

heat. The fuel was charcoal: the art of making which, he had also
learnt from the Nuakketsies.

The most ingenious contrivance was his miubo or bellows: this
was formed of two leathern bags made from goat-skins taken off

_ entire or without being cut open lengthwise.* The neck was tightly

bound to a straight piece of the horn of an antelope, which formed
the nozzle of the bellows. These two nozzles lay flat upon the
ground, and were held in their place firmly by a large stone laid
upon them: they conveyed the wind to a short earthen tube, the end
of which was placed immediately to the fire. The hinder part of the
bag was left open, as a mouth to receive the air, and was kept
distended by two straight sticks sewed along the lips or opposite
edges, In a manner which admitted of opening the mouth to the
width of about three inches. These sticks are so held in the hand
that they may be opened on raising the mouth, and closed on depres-
sing it; by which means the wind is collected and forced through
the tube. By taking a bag in each hand, and continuing this action
of raising and depressing them alternately, a strong and constant
stream of wind was produced, which presently raised a very small
fire to a degree of heat equal to rendering a hatchet red-hot in two
minutes.

A stone for his anvil, a horn of water for cooling the iron, and
two or three very small iron hammers, were the only apparatus, and
all the tools, which he made use of. He was then busy in making
hatchets and corn-hoes, of which latter, one is represented in the
engraving above referred to, lying upon the hammer. He was sur-
rounded by eight or nine people looking on; but whether for the
purpose of learning the art, or of passing away idle time, it seemed
doubtful. My presence did not interrupt his work; he appeared as
much pleased at the attention with which I watched his operations,

* A bag thus formed of the skin of any animal taken off entire, and which is very
common among all the native tribes, is distinguished by the Colonial Hottentots with the
special name of knapzak (knapsack); and is occasionally used for holding even honey or
other liquids, as well as dry goods.

3Q 2

484 MASSISAN, THE DAUGHTER OF THE CHIEF; 29 JuLy,

as I was myself at beholding, in the midst of a nation which sought to
enrich itself, only by the plunder of its neighbours, so rare a specimen
of honest industry, one of those moral virtues which elevate the
character of a people upon a basis incomparably more firm and

respectable than any which can be raised by the sword, and in the —

same proportion in which the arts of peace stand morally higher, and
are more honorable, than the arts of war.

That I might possess a genuine specimen of his workmanship,
I sent him some spike-nails to be made into a knife and a hassagay.
These he accomplished with tolerable exactness ; and, if the tools
with which he worked, be considered, they afford a proof of some
skill.

After leaving the blacksmith, I went to a different part of the
town to take a further view of it, and make another sketch. All the
buildings were formed so nearly alike, that a painter finds but little
variety of subject for his pencil, if the outlines of the houses only
be regarded ; but the scene is every where so strange and interesting,
and the moving accompaniments so varied and remarkable, that he
might for a long time employ himself at Litakun.

_ Atmy return home, I found a little girl standing in the mootsi,
looking at my people as they were at work. She was the prettiest I
had hitherto seen, and appeared to be about twelve or thirteen years
of age. She was the daughter of Mattivi; her name was Massisan
(Massisaan); and as she presented a good specimen of Bachapin
beauty, I asked her to sit for her portrait; to which she consented

with a degree of good nature which might give a favorable opinion of

her disposition. Seeing the book in my hand, she immediately com-
prehended what was required of her, and with remarkable patience
stood perfectly still, till I had quite finished the drawing.

The accompanying plate will give a correct idea of her features
and appearance, and will, besides, exhibit the usual dress, and the
peculiar manner in which the females of this tribe twist their hair so
as to give it the form of a cap. This singular fashion will be more
particularly described in the eighteenth chapter. The only ornaments
which she wore, were two manjénas or mangjénas (manyanas) or

Rade by Wii Burelsrr ay

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/, ae 9200 GI? MVM PAP UH

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1812. A BACHAPIN BEAUTY. 485

copper ear-drops in her left ear, and a brass button in her right.
Round her neck hung several folds of thick cord * made from the
sinews and entrails of animals, and a necklace formed of many thin
strings neatly twisted of the inner bark of the acacia. Her hair was
copiously adorned with sibilo; but below the part which has the ap-
pearance of a cap, some portion was to be seen of its natural color
and appearance. The engraving of the face has been done with suf-
cient care to render unnecessary any particular description of her
features, or of the expression of her countenance, which was, in
the living person, exceedingly pleasing and innocent: her manners
were mild and, in my presence at least, rather reserved.

Her father, who was much pieased at my drawing her portrait,
seemed desirous that I should write down her name correctly, and
repeated, as I wrote, mdssdrri 6 Morriipi, Massisdn, (Morripi’s wife
Massisan). From which it may be seen that she was already
betrothed, although not yet of an age to take care of her husband’s
house, who in the mean time had, probably, one or two other wives.
The custom of bespeaking wives while they are still children, obtains
among the Bichuanas, as among the Bushmen and perhaps other
Hottentot tribes. It thus happens that an unmarried women is a
rare occurrence, and a man without a wife, is still more rare.

As a reward for Massisan’s patience and good temper, I tied
round her neck, with a piece of pink ribbon, a pretty necklace of
black and gilt beads ; a present which, in her eyes, appeared of the
highest value.

During the whole time, I was overlooked by a crowd of men
and women who, without considering that I was then occupied, kept
almost incessantly asking me to exhibit Mollemmi’s portrait; and
those who had seen it but an hour before, wished to see it again.
As soon as I was at leisure, I was compelled to open the book to
them: I had scarcely shut it, after one party had seen the portrait,

—E

* Of the same nature as those which have been already described at page 209. of this
volume.

486 ARRIVAL OF TAAIBOSCH AND HIS PARTY. 29 Juty,

when I had to open it again for another; and thus the same scene
of surprise and laughter was performed so many times over, that it
became at last tedious, and I was glad to escape into my waggon.

Massisan’s mother, whose name was Aibbikul, was so pleased
at seeing her daughter ‘ in the book,’ that she earnestly desired to
have her portrait taken also. This I promised to do, on a future
day, when I should be more disengaged. Many more presented
themselves for the same purpose, but as there were numerous other
affairs of the journey which demanded my attention, it was impossi-
ble to dedicate, even to so agreeable a department of my labors,
more time than was justly its due.

In the course of the day, a numerous party of Kora Hottentots
arrived at Litakun, from a kraal situated at a considerable distance
eastward. They were conducted by the son of a Kora chieftain
named Tadtbosch.* This latter was lately murdered by some
Bichuanas ; and the son, whose kraal was situated on the banks of the’
Gariep near to the ‘ English Ford,’ was now removing all his father’s
cattle to that place. Among his father’s property, was a musket,
which he had formerly purchased. The inhabitants of old Taaibosch’s
kraal, deeming that part of the country unsafe to live in, were also
removing all their cattle and property to the son’s kraal.

The younger Taaibosch now reminded me that we were already
acquainted, and I immediately recognised him as one of the friendly
Koras who have been already mentioned as giving us their voluntary
assistance when we crossed that river on our return from Graaftreynet.
At that time we did not know the names of any of these good-
natured people, nor even of their captain: our meeting again was
as pleasing to me as it was unexpected.

A day or two before this, I had given Muchinka leave of absence
for a few days, to go and see his mother who was living at old
Taaibosch’s kraal. For safety, and as a companion, I allowed him
to take Stuurman with him; but having, in his way thither, unex-
pectedly met the Koras, and finding his mother among them, he

* See the note at page 234.

1812. INTRODUCTION OF THE PEACH-TREE. 487

hasted home as quickly as possible, in order to be present at our
weekly distribution of tobacco and brandy. I had given him, just
before he started, a quantity of tobacco as a present for his mother ;
yet this affectionate son now came to ask for more, and confessed
that he had not given her any, as he and Stuurman had, on the road,
smoked away, not only their own share, but the whole of his
mother’s: and I fear that of the second quantity which I now gave
him for the same purpose, she enjoyed as little as of the first.

Among the property which this caravan of Koras had with them,
was a quantity of salt, which they informed me they had procured
from a salt-pond at a considerable distance in an easterly or north-
easterly direction. For a knife, I purchased of them about half a
gallon. |

In order to secure a continuance of friendly behaviour on the
part of Mattivi, it appeared necessary at this time to make him some
additional presents, especially as he had suffered me to rest for four
or five days without giving me much trouble by importuning for
things which could not be spared. Among these presents, was a
straw-hat, such as are worn by the Malays in Cape Town; and this,
being ornamented with twelve strings of beads of the favorite colors,
pleased him the more as it was an act of liberality quite unexpected.
But it is probable that his pleasure was occasioned more by the beads
than by the hat itself:

I gave him also a bag of fresh peach-stones which had been
brought from Graaffreynet ; in quantity about a quart: nor did I
fail, at the same time, to impress on his mind a just idea of their
value and nature, by telling him, that they would produce trees
which would continue every year to yield, without further trouble,
abundance of large fruit of a more agreeable flavour than any which
grew in the country of the Bachapins. The quality which I most
insisted on, as recommending them strongly to his notice, was that
of supplying food without requiring the labor and care of man. I
advised, that he should give a few to each of the chieftains: which
he promised to do. From the manner in which he expressed him-
self, he seemed to feel that in making him this present, I was

488 THE CHIEF AND HIS HERDSMAN.— DRIED PEACHES, 29, 30 Juty,

actuated by friendly sentiments, as I assured him that they were
brought for no other purpose than to benefit the Bachapin nation by
introducing into their country a useful fruit which it had never before
possessed.

He then gave them to the care of his principal herdsman who
was standing by, and whom he always treated as an equal; or, at
least, behaved towards him with as much attention and familiarity as
towards the richest or highest of his késies or chieftains. This man
had filled the same office under the late Chief Mulihaban.

I had still in my waggon some dried peaches remaining, and
with a view of giving him a foretaste of the fruit, to induce him to
take more care of the young trees, I afterwards prepared a small
quantity, by first softening them in water, and then adding some
sugar and a little salt of lemons, to regain the flavour which they
had lost. He greatly approved of the taste of these; and, contrary
to his general custom when in public, of giving a small portion of
such things to those who sat by him, he ate the whole himself, ex-
cepting a piece which he gave to his uncle.

As if prompted by a rising sense of gratitude, Mattivi said he
should never come and tease me for tobacco as other people did ;
but would always wait till I gave him some, of my own accord.
This was so handsome a speech, and so becoming the dignity of
a monarch, that, with princely liberality, | immediately presented him
with a pipe of tobacco.

30th. There being at this time but little game in the vicinity of
the town, the difficulty of obtaining provisions reduced me to the
necessity of giving up for the supply of my people, one of the oxen
received from Mattivi, and which, otherwise, was intended for the
team. We had now but one sheep remaining, and this it was pru-
dent to reserve. till want of candles, should compel us to kill it for
the sake of the tallow and fat ; which, while they were on the animal,
were safe, but which otherwise would soon have been stolen or con-
sumed. Our meat had been so often secretly carried off by the
natives who frequented our hut, that we were constrained to com-
plain to the Chief: he then gave some general reprimand, and we

1812. AN EXCURSION PROPOSED.— NUAKKETSI SPIES. 489

were, in consequence, not so much molested; but as we could no
longer trust our provisions in the baggage-waggon where we had
been used hitherto to leave them, the Hottentots were at last obliged
to keep every thing of that kind behind them in the hut where they
were sitting.

This scarcity of provisions, and the continued state of fear in
which most of my men had been during our residence at this town,
determined me to make an excursion for three or four weeks, in order
both to gain a stock of dried meat, and to allow my party some
respite from their fears and some time to recover their former tone
and spirits.

To convince them, that such was my intention, I desired Gert,
who, as I have remarked, could speak the Kora dialect with tolerable
facility, to inform the Kora Captain privately, that when he and his
people left Litakun, they should wait for me at the distance of two
or three days-journeys out of the town; and that I would follow them
thither for the purpose of exchanging beads for some of their oxen :
but that it was requisite that this arrangement should be kept a secret
from the Bachapins, who possibly might endeavour to interrupt my
bartering with them. This proposal afforded him much satisfaction,
and was gladly accepted.

Mattivi possessed a large share of that species of cunning which
is peculiar to low and little minds, and which often has, upon the
unwary, its intended effect. As I had seldom shown myself very
credulous of tales fabricated from such materials, he considered that
they would more easily operate upon my Hottentots, than upon
myself ; and, therefore, frequently intermingled information of this
nature, in his conversations with them, as he sat by their fire in the
evenings.

It was with the view of deterring me from attempting to travel
into the country of the Nuakketsies, that he informed my men that
the three people of that tribe, who lately visited Litékun under
pretence of bartering, were, in reality, only sent as spies, and detached
from that body of robbers who had carried off the cattle from the
three out-posts ; that their object was to ascertain who the white-man

VOL. IT. SR

490 RETURN OF THE DETACHMENT. 30, 31 Jury,

was, and the strength of his party ; as they remarked, he said,
when they saw us, that we were only eleven in number, and that
none excepting two were large men or seemed to be very strong.

The detachment of Bachapins who were sent in pursuit of these
robbers, returned on the next day, without having fallen in with
them or with any of the cattle. I found that the search had been
soon given up, and that the whole of this display of spirit and
promptitude had ended in nothing. Mattivi, as if ashamed that I
should see any appearance of pusillanimity, and to cover his want of
resolution in tamely submitting to the loss, told me that he had now
sent out only a few men merely to trace the direction in which the
oxen had been driven off, and to ascertain what tribe had taken
them; but that after my departure, he should go himself with a large
army and bring them away with him, even should they have been
carried to the enemy’s chief town; and that his reason for not
doing so immediately, was, the fear that, if he left me alone and
unprotected, the Nuakketsies, who would know of my situation,
would send a party to murder me and all my men.

In this story he forgot that I knew the robbers were Batammakas,
and not Nuakketsies. Which proves that in Africa, as well as in
Europe, he who attempts to fabricate a tale, or make a misrepresent-
ation to answer his own views, will surely betray himself, and give
evidence that he has been wilfully guilty of an untruth. But
Mattivi’s inveterate hatred against the latter tribe, was the real cause
of his casting the odium of the robbery upon them, in order to raise
in my mind a prejudice against them and to deter me from any idea
of travelling into their country.

When [ questioned Muchunka, who was at all times ready to
support whatever Mattivi asserted, why those three Nuakketsies were
suffered to trade at Litakun and were entertained as friends, if they
were believed to be spies and robbers ; he replied, that to put a man to
death in their town, even an enemy who visits them in a peaceable
manner, is viewed as a very ‘ ugly’ act; it being only in battle, that
they kill their enemies. And in order to give me a suitable idea of
the magnitude and power of the Bachapin nation, he added, that if,

1812. A BACHAPIN SIMILE— NOKANNIIN. — SPORTSMEN. 491

their Chief were to order the whole of his people to assemble for a
great war, I should behold so countless a multitude, that my eyes
would open wide with wonder. His men would stand, he said, so
closely together that they would tread on each other, and the ground
all about us would be crowded with them, like reeds on the bank of
a river. Whether my interpreter’s assertions were well-founded or
not, I could not but admire the beautiful simile which he employed,
and which so expressively conveyed the idea of a multitude.

Mattivi complained greatly of the frequent losses of cattle, which
his people continued to sustain from the north-eastern tribes, and
spoke, with painful recollection, of the former attacks from the
Caffres to the south, and who have been already noticed as having
emigrated from Kafferland to the banks of the Gariep. But now,
that he possessed a gun, he said, he considered himself able to de-
fend himself from the latter, and should therefore remove back
again to Nokanniin, a place to the south-west of the Kamhanni moun-
tains, where the chief town of the Bachapins formerly stood, and
where he himself was born.

31st. He this morning accompanied two of my Hottentots who
went out in search of game. His object was to learn their mode of
hunting, and the manner of using the gun; as he took his own with
him. The men were unsuccessful, through scarcity of animals, and
he, as might be expected, through want of skill; although he fell in
with a springbuck and fired at it.

In the mean time Speelman and Philip were employed in ex-
ploring the banks of the river, for birds. The former, who was the
keener sportsman in this department, added to my ornithological
collection more than any of my other Hottentots. Juli, however,
was in this respect, very little inferior to him, either in the number,
or in the value and rarity, of the objects which his zeal and industry
procured for me. I ranked myself only as the third, and Philip as
the fourth ; but the rest of my people were at a great distance behind,
and most of them were unable to boast that they had contributed
even a single bird.

Here, for the first time, I met with, in its wild state, a handsome

3R 2

492 A REMARKABLE FINCH. — FALCONS’ CLAWS. 31 Jury,

and singular bird, of the finch tribe, distinguished from all which inhabit
the southern point of Africa, by the disproportionate length of its tail,
together with the remarkable circumstance, of having this tail only in
summer, at which season it is black ; but in winter it is brown, and not
longer than the common proportion of all other birds of that tribe.
The wings are black, but the body undergoes the same annual mutation
of color as the tail. In its full dress it is entirely of a deep black, ex-
cepting the shoulders which are orange-coloured or scarlet, and the
margins of the wing-feathers which are white. Though but a small bird,
it measures in length above twenty-one inches, of which the tail takes
nearly sixteen. On account of this length of tail, it appears at that
season to fly with difficulty, and is then generally seen on the ground
or among the bushes. During the rain, and while its feathers are
wet, it is scarcely able to fly at all; and it is a common opinion
among the Hottentots, that it may then be easily taken with the
hand: but no instance of this fact ever occurred within my own
knowledge. The Bachapins call it nwenjanni (nuenyanni) mitléapo or
‘river-bird, as it usually frequents the banks of rivers or reedy
valleys. The Dutch colonists have named it Kaffers-vink (Caffre-
finch) *, as it is found chiefly at the eastern extremity of the colony
and in the country of the Caffres.

A species of falcon + called ’nchi, was now shot for the first time
on the journey. As several boys were accompanying Speelman, he
gave it to one of them for the purpose of carrying it: but it narrowly
escaped being utterly spoiled, as he accidentally and fortunately
happened to turn his eye towards them, just at the moment when
they were preparing to cut off the claws. These 1 have observed to
be a favorite ornament with the children of Litakun, and are worn,
either hanging round their neck, or affixed to their hair.

* See the note [{] at page 20. of the first volume.

+ Le Rounoir, of Le Vaill. Ois. d’Afr. pl. 16.

A particular account of the ornithology of Litakun and the vicinity, is here omitted,
as it pertains more properly to a later period of the journal.

1812. FEMALE PORTRAITS. — MASSISAN AND HER MOTHER. 493

A number of women assembled round my waggon, and in a
goodnatured manner demanded to see me. When, in due obedience
to the commands of the fair sex, I presented myself before them, I
found they were come to see Massisin. The fame of this portrait,
which was the first female I had drawn, had spread throughout the
town, and had, it appeared, excited a strong curiosity among that sex,
who seemed to consider it an important mark of respect to them,
that I had put women < into my book,’ as well as men.

The surprise, the laughter, and the whimsical gestures, of this
crowd when I showed them the drawing, need not again be described ;
they were the same as before, or perhaps, rather more marked,
Among this party, were Mattivi’s two sisters: one was a fine woman,
who, as a black, might be termed handsome; but the other was
exceedingly ugly, a misfortune, if, indeed, it ought to be called so,
which had been occasioned by the smallpox. Similar ravages on
faces which before had, perhaps, been comely, were frequently
observed among these tribes.

After this crowd had left me, Massisdén herself came, and in a
- very modest and half-timid manner, begged me to give her some
tobacco. As she did not smoke, I was at a loss how to interpret the
meaning of this request, till I saw her run away immediately to her
mother, who was standing at some distance, and give it to her. The
old lady, or, if she must be called so, the old queen, so often came
begging at my waggon, that she knew there was no reasonable hope
of getting any more ‘ smoke’ this day ; and necessity therefore com-
pelled her to devise a new expedient. She thought that I should not
refuse her daughter ; being aware that the simple petition of au
innocent little girl might probably have in it more persuasive oratory,
than the selfish importunities of an insatiable beggar.

I proposed to Mattivi that he should sit for his portrait; but he
evaded the question by replying, that I must first draw his younger
wife Mahitu. He then brought her to me; and having succeeded in
obtaining a good likeness, with which he expressed himself much
pleased, I hoped that he would thus have been induced to allow his
own to be drawn also; but, without giving any reason for it, he

494 MAHUTU, THE CHIEF’S WIFE. 31 Jury,

continued always to persist in his refusal. As his obstinacy in this
respect, was never to be overcome by any solicitation, or by any offers
of presents however great, there is little doubt that it arose from some
superstitious belief connected with himself personally as Chief.

The eighth plate * gives a representation of Mahitu; but is not
to be viewed as a specimen of genuine Bichuana features, as she pos-
sessed more of the Kora, than of the Bachapin, countenance. The
dress here given, is exactly that which she then wore; nor was she
ever, during my abode at Litakun, seen dressed or ornamented in any
other manner.

Mattivi had two wives, and several children. The eldest son
who, according to the Bachapin law in such cases, was to succeed
him as Chief, appeared to be about fifteen, a handsome well-propor-
tioned lad, and of a pleasing countenance; but I seldom saw him, or
indeed any of the other children; as these were too young to be
brought forward, or to attract much notice or attention. °

Just before my departure from Cape Town, the Governor made
a special request, that on my arrival among the tribes of the Interior,
I would make all possible inquiry, for the purpose of ascertaining
whether Dr. Cowan, or any of the persons who accompanied him 7},
were yet alive; and that, in the case of my obtaining the desirable
intelligence that he or any of his party were still in existence, I would
endeavour by all means in my power, to give them assistance, should
they be in a situation to require it, or in which it might be practicable
to afford help: or that, if on the other hand I should not be able to

* This plate requires here but little explanation, as the general description of
the female dress and ornaments, in the eighteenth chapter, will render every part of
the engraving sufficiently intelligible. It may at present be merely repeated, that the
bonnet-like appearance on her head, is produced by the peculiar mode in which the
Bachapin women dress their hair. The color here shown, is occasioned by the szbzilo
with which it is powdered. (See page 256.) In her ear is a piece of reed, slightly orna-
mented with lines cut upon it. She wore a necklace of several strings of porcelain beads ;
and another of the sinews or entrails of animals, twisted into a thick cord. Her obo, or
cloak, is of that kind which has been described (page 350.) as composed of a great
number of skins of small animals of the weasel, or cat, genus.

+ Some particulars of this expedition have already been given in the first volume, at
page 50.

by

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Wag Wea.

Draw

D the! rac

& lured

Engraved

H

1812. INQUIRIES RESPECTING THE FATE OF DR. COWAN. 495

gain any certain account of their fate, I would engage some of the
natives to go in search of them, by promising, in his name, an
adequate reward for their services if they brought back any authentic
information. His Excellency was pleased to add that, although him-
self on the point of quitting the Colony, to return to England, he
should leave instructions for the colonial secretary to fulfil whatever
promises of this kind, I might find it necessary to make: and con-
cluded by requesting me to communicate to the secretary, by the
earliest opportunity, the result of my endeavours, or any intelligence
respecting this unfortunate party, which I might be able to gain.

To this request, my own feelings dictated the reply, that
although His Lordship should not have honoured me with this com-
mission, I should, for the satisfaction of my own mind as a point of
duty and common humanity, as well as from natural inclination, have
neglected no opportunity which circumstances might place within my
reach, of affording all the aid in my power, to men, and countrymen,
situated as they were: and that, should I gain such intelligence as
might induce me to believe that they were still in existence, and
stood in need of any assistance of mine, or that my presence would
relieve them from any difficulties, I should not hesitate a moment in
deviating entirely from my own track, to accomplish so important a
purpose.

It now appeared to me, from various reports which I had heard
since my arrival at Litakun, that there was a probability of gaining at
this place, if not a satisfactory account of those travellers, at least
some clue, as a guide to further inquiries: and, being prepared by
these reports, I sent my interpreter to request Mattivi to come to my
waggon, as I wished to have some conversation with him.

He came immediately ; and when he had taken his seat and
the waggon was closed, I informed him that I had been commissioned
by the Governor of the Cape to ask him if he knew any thing relative
to the fate of the persons in question. Hitherto, this subject had
never been mentioned between us, although he had discoursed freely
on it with my men; but he now entered upon it with much readiness,
and seemed desirous of communicating the required information.

496 MATTIVI’S PROOFS OF THE MURDER. 31 Jury;

Maittivi’s story ran thus. — A long time ago, when he was on a
warlike expedition against the Nuakketsies, his people obtained,
among various articles of plunder, many things of European manu-
facture which he knew to have belonged to those persons. Being
afterwards at the chief town of the Barolongs under Makrakki, he
there saw a quantity of clothes and many knives, of the same manu-
facture, which that people said they had received from the Nuak-
ketsies. At a subsequent period when he was at peace with this
last-mentioned tribe, he visited them in consequence of a friendly
invitation from Moékkaba their Chief; and then saw a great number
of other articles which were certainly part of the contents of the
waggons belonging to those travellers. He particularized, a red-
painted board, knives, clothes, and other things which, by his descrip-
tion, were a pair of men’s-braces, and an epaulette. On my asking if
he saw any guns, he said; No, the guns were beaten to pieces, and
the barrels made use of for sharpening their knives upon. Expect-
ing to discover, in his account, some traces of watches, or of optical
or mathematical instruments, I inquired if he saw any things of
shining metal different from those which he had seen in my posses-
sion ; for I had been careful to conceal from the natives every article
of this description: but he replied, that he had observed nothing but
clothes, and the goods which he had specified. Molaali, he said, had
brought home a green-handled knife; but this was lost on the day
before I arrived at Litakun. Happening to cast his eye upon a metal
tea-pot which was standing in the waggon, he remarked that one of
his people was bringing away a similar pot, but at length finding it
heavy and troublesome to carry, he threw it away on the road.
When I asked if he could not send the man to fetch it, and promised
to reward him liberally, he said; that could not be done, as it was
thrown away at a spot too far off. I expressed a strong wish that, as
the Nuakketsies were now at peace, he should send a party of his
men to Melitta to purchase for me some of the goods which had
belonged to my countrymen. ‘This was a request with which nothing
could induce him to comply, as the inhabitants of that town, he
asserted, would certainly murder every Bachapin who came there.

1812. A FABRICATED STORY. 497

And on my offering to accompany such a party, to protect them with
our guns, his tone of refusal became still more positive and seemed
to indicate that he was displeased at my entertaining even the bare
idea of venturing to go among so dangerous a tribe of men. He
then informed me that the detachment, which was lately sent to
pursue the robbers who carried off the cattle, had returned almost
immediately, as they were afraid to advance against the enemy ; or
rather, as I suspect, were afraid to overtake them. On his boasting
that, if I had not been at this time on a visit to him, he would have
gone against them himself with the whole body of his people, I said
that I would leave Litakun, and remain absent on a hunting excur-
sion, till he returned ; but his answer then was, that he must wait
till the season of hot weather, before he could make his intended
attack.

During this conversation, I remarked that he mentioned nothing
which might not have been known and seen while those travellers
were at Litakun on their way to the more northern tribes; and |
therefore endeavoured, by various questions, to discover such cir-
cumstances as could have become known by no other means than by
a complete plundering of their waggons ; but I could obtain only
such answers as were mere evasions of my questions, or such as were
inconsistent with the other parts of his story, and served only to
strengthen my former suspicions that the whole was nothing else
than a fabrication, for the purpose of creating in the minds of white
men a prejudice against those tribes towards whom he entertained
either enmity or jealousy. That this was the object at which he
aimed, was sufficiently betrayed by his frequent exclamations against
the Nuakketsies, and by his often repeating, with peculiar earnestness,
-that the governor of the Cape must send a strong body of men to
punish them severely for this murder. When I asked how it could
be possible for a numerous body of men to find provisions in his
country, when even so small a party as mine, were unable to obtain
at Litakun the necessary daily food, he replied, that he would engage
to give them both oxen and corn, and would, moreover, accompany
them himself with all his people. Ithen told him, that the governor

VOL. II. 358

498 TAKING THE LATITUDE OF LITAKUN. 31 Juty,

would not, I could assure him, send out a‘ commando’ unless he were
fully convinced, by the most certain proofs, that the tribe which he
had named, were the murderers of our unfortunate countrymen; and
therefore it was requisite that he should command all his people who
had in their possession any European goods which were believed to
have been part of the contents of those waggons, to bring them to
me, that I might, by examining them, be enabled to report to the
white-men, that of what I related, I had myself seen indubitable
proofs. This he promised should be done on the morrow. He gave
me a complete and circumstantial account of the murder, which he
said he had received from a man and woman who had been eye-
witnesses of it, and who were now at Litakun. I desired that these
two people might be brought to me, that I might ask them some
questions on the subject. Here the conversation ended, and he took
his leave.

As Gert and Muchunka were both present during this com-
munication, they related all to the rest of my men, who, I found,
gave full and implicit belief to the whole of Mattivi’s story. Their
reason for so readily crediting all the tales of this kind, which they
heard, was, probably, the justification which these seemed to afford
for the timidity of their own conduct and their reluctance to advance
farther into the Interior.

After all the natives had left the moots:, and my own men had
retired to sleep, I took, unknown to any one, an observation to
determine the latitude of this place; which I computed to be
27°.6.44".* The motive for keeping secret those operations which
required the use of instruments, which might appear desirable to the
natives, has already been stated +; and the present and every sub-
sequent occasion, convinced me that it is always practicable ; at least,
with reference to the ascertaining of the latitude by a star: and I
believe that in these regions, it was never known to any but my own

* On the 31st of July 1812. at Litakun, near the Chief’s residence, the observed
meridional altitude of « Pegasi (Markab) was 48°. 42’. 7”.
+ In the first volume, at page 577.

1 Aue. 1812. THE PIICHO, OR COUNCIL. — PARASITES. 499

Hottentots, that the waggon contained any thing so showy and attrae-
tive as my sextant. To travellers under similar circumstances, it may
therefore be recommendable, that all their astronomical instruments
should be made as plain as possible, and that the metal should be
either discoloured, or its natural brightness concealed.

August, Ist. As the Chief received daily in his méotsi, or public
enclosure, the visits of a greater or less number of késies, or chief-
tains, who remain sitting with him generally the whole morning, he
may be considered as holding a piicho, or council, every day. The
number of chieftains assembled at these ordinary piichoes, seldom
exceeds twenty, and is often not more than half a dozen; but on
extraordinary occasions, such as that of debating on the propriety of
making war, or of removing their town, or that of the arrival of a
white-man amongst them, this assembly consists of a much more
numerous body; and by their opinion, or that of the majority, even
their Chief is influenced and guided.

Early in the forenoon, Mattivi informed his council of the con-
versation which we had held on the preceding evening. One of the
kosies very strongly urged his opinion, that all goods of European
manufacture which could be found, should be brought for me to
see; and the Chief, in consequence, issued orders to this effect, or
at least, pretended that he had done so. He was absent from the
mootsi all the remainder of this day; and might possibly be busied
in searching or making inquiry, for some articles which might be
adduced in proof of the account which he had given me yesterday.

Nothing further worthy of remark occurred this day; and the
evening passed as usual, with a house full of parasites. When the
inhabitants first saw us making use of the ‘ unlucky wood’ (Vangueria
infausta) for fuel, they warned us of our danger, and among them-
selves made many remarks on our imprudence. ‘They said, as
Muchunka expressed it, ‘ We shall soon see all these men die; for
they not only make their fire of this wood and warm themselves by
it, but they even boil their meat over it.’ It would, indeed, have
been a ‘ lucky wood’ for us, if it had sufficiently retained its charm,
to have checked them from coming to our fire, and to have kept

38 2

500 MORUNA’S RETURN. — UPROAR AND LAMENTATIONS. 2 Ave.

their hands out of our pot. But finding that we did not die, as
they expected we should, the argument between hunger, or rather
gluttony, and superstition, turned in favor of the former; and even
the fear of death, was vanquished by the love of eating.

2nd. This day also passed without any occurrence deserving of
notice; but in the evening, about eight o’clock, the town was suddenly
thrown into the utmost alarm and consternation. Mortna, the
Bichuana who, it has been mentioned, had set out a few days before,
on a journey into the country of the Karrikarries, unexpectedly re-
turned to Litakun in great haste, and spread terror among the in-
habitants, by crying out, as he ran along, that a strong body of
Batammikas were in the land. When he had reached the distance of
a days-journey from the town, he fell in with their track to the west-
ward, and as it appeared to take a southward direction, he instantly
turned his steps back again, and travelled with the greatest possible
expedition, to give the Bachapins timely notice of the danger which
threatened their cattle-stations, and to warn them to. remove im-
mediately all their herds out of the line of march which the invaders
seemed to be pursuing. .

At this time Mattivi happened to be sitting by our fire in the
hut, and, as usual, amusing himself in smoking and occasionally in
conversing with the Hottentots and with those of his friends and
attendants who were accustomed to join our evening parties. Before
Moruna arrived at our mootsi, the noise and confusion which his
intelligence caused in the more distant parts of the town, were
distinguishable. The Chief listened attentively for some minutes,
and as soon as he caught a few expressions which led him to suspect
the occasion of them, he started hastily up from his seat, without
saying a word, and we saw him no more that night.

The uproar and clamor soon became general, and confusion
reigned in every quarter. The vociferations of the men denouncing
vengeance against the invaders, and the cries and lamentations of
the women, filled the air and reached the ear in every direction.
Amid these tumultuous sounds, the violent howling of some of the
women, was heard above the rest, and impressed the mind with

1812. LITAKUN IN A STATE OF GENERAL ALARM. 501

sensations which may be more easily conceived. than described, and
which were well suited to give a complete idea of a state of warfare
among savages. One of the chieftains who were sitting with us, rose
and in the loudest voice, upbraided all his countrymen for their
cowardice in suffering these marauders to continue their depredations
in the country, without instantly taking up arms and flying to meet
them. Others remarked that they had seen, during the afternoon,
unusual clouds of dust rising from the plains in the direction of
north-west ; and which, it now appeared, were occasioned by the
various herds of cattle which their keepers were driving out of the
way of the enemy, and bringing towards the town for protection ;
having been warned by Moruna as he passed the different stations
where they were lying. Many women, in a state of great trepidation,
entered the mootsi, and assembled around my waggons ; probably,
supposing that greater safety was to be found under the protection of
our muskets than at their own houses.

The panic which had seized these poor creatures, soon com-
municated itself to my own men, who, alarmed by the serious aspect
of affairs and the general consternation which prevailed among the
inhabitants, gave themselves up for lost; and instead of endeavour-
ing to conceal from the natives, their weakness and want of courage,
and of showing, by outward appearance at least, that we felt con-
fident in the power of our fire-arms, nearly the whole of them
betrayed their fears by the most distressing agitation, and by the
greatest uneasiness of manners. Speelman, whom I had hitherto
believed to be one of the least timid of my party, came to me as I
was sitting in the waggon, and with terror strongly depicted in his
countenance, exclaimed, “ Sir, this will never do! Give me some
more balls and powder! We shall not one of us ever escape from
this place alive!” Fright rendered him unable to say more, or to
explain if hostilities had actually taken place in the town, or if any
affair had just occurred to cause in him so great an alarm: but it was
not till I had repeatedly put the question, that his spirits became
sufficiently composed to admit of his giving a coherent answer.

I endeavoured now, as I had done on every former occasion, to

502 KEEPING GUARD DURING THE NIGHT. 2, 3 Ava.

inspire my people with confidence in our own strength and resources,
and to convince them that the most certain way to escape from
danger, was by keeping their minds cool and free from agitation.
This, I assured them, would give our little party the advantage over
superior numbers, should the enemy really have it in view to attack
the waggons; which, however, I did not believe to be their object,
so much as the cattle of the Bachapins. I desired them, whatever
might happen, not for a moment to entertain the idea of separating
from each other and seeking safety in flight, which would infallibly
lead to the utter destruction of us ail: but to stand together in a body
round the waggons; in which position, we could defend ourselves
longer than in any other, as we should then secure a constant supply
of ammunition.

With this view I placed a large quantity of cartridges in a secret
part of my own waggon, and privately informed my Hottentots
where they would find them, should any sudden attack, of which
however I had not much expectation, be made, either on the
Bachapins or on ourselves.

We kept watch during the whole night; none of us feeling suf-
ficiently assured of the peace of the town, to venture committing
ourselves to sleep, till the approach of day-light or till we might
safely dismiss the fear of any hostile attempt; the first dawn of day
being generally supposed to be, according to the practice of African
warfare *, the moment most to be guarded against. That these hours
might not pass as lost time, I continued to employ myself in the
waggon in preparing, and in writing the descriptions of some birds
which had been shot in the vicinity.

The night passed without further alarm: the tumultuous feel-
ings of the inhabitants and the lamentations of the women gradually
subsided; and all, at length, retired to their homes, leaving the
mootsi entirely to ourselves and our usual Bachapin attendants.

3rd. In the morning, affairs appeared to have resumed their
usual course, and the natives began again to assemble in the public

* See page 494. of the first volume.

1812. EXAMINATION OF MULOJA. 503

enclosure, in the same manner as they had been accustomed to do
since my first arrival at the town; but we understood that a body of
armed men had been, without loss of time, sent out to expel the
invaders from their territory.

Early in the forenoon, Muléja (Moolowya), the man who had
been mentioned to me by Mattivi as having been an eye-witness to
the murder of the former party of travellers under Dr. Cowan and
Captain Donovan, was brought into the mootsi, for the purpose of
giving me his evidence relative to that melancholy catastrophe. I
desired Muchunka to bring him to my waggon, as I could there
more conveniently write down his answers to my questions; but
Mattivi opposed this mode of examination, as it admitted only of as
many hearers as the very confined space of my sitting-place could
accommodate. It soon, however, became apparent that his real
motive for wishing the man not.to be examined in private, was the
necessity of assisting and directing him in a story fabricated entirely
to correspond with his views of exciting the resentment of the Cape
government against his enemies.

I therefore complied with the Chief’s wishes, and took my seat
in the hut; one side of which was, on the occasion, thrown open,
that all our proceedings might be seen and heard by the whole crowd
of kosies who were then in attendance. I began by putting to
Muloja such questions as were most likely to produce such informa-
tion as might convince me that his account was a genuine narrative
of facts. I put the veracity of his evidence to the test of cross-
examination ; a test which I soon perceived it was unable to stand.
I asked the same question at separate times and in different forms,
but the replies were often contradictory. He rarely gave any answer
without waiting till Mattivi or some of the chieftains who were
sitting by him, had put the words into his mouth, or had given him
a hint of what he was to say. The Nuakketsies, among whom he had
lived some time as prisoner of war and who had but lately allowed
him to return to his own country, were the people who, by the
orders of Mokkaba their chief, had, according to his story, put those
travellers to death and plundered their waggons. Among many

504 FALSE TESTIMONY OF MULOJA, 3 Auc.

other questions, I asked him if the Nuakketsies or their chief had
ever alleged any cause of complaint against those white-men, or if
my countrymen had in any manner given them offence :— he replied ;
No, none whatever. When I inquired if their bones were still to be
found, and offered for them a great reward if they could by any
possible means be brought to me, he said that these had been all
beaten into very small pieces and thrown into the fire. I promised
payment in my best beads for any part of those waggons, or of the
iron-work belonging to them; but the waggons, he said, were burnt,
and the iron was all converted into knives, hatchets and hassagays :
some European clothes, however, were still to be seen at Melitta (the
chief town of the Nuakketsies), as were also the sheep and oxen ; but
the horses were killed a short time afterwards, and the saddles were
burnt. On expressing a desire to obtain some of the white-men’s
hair, which, I said, had probably been saved as a curiosity, he replied
that that also had been thrown into the fire. When I asked him,
relatively to the contents of those waggons, whether he had seen any
very extraordinary things, different from any which had ever before
been brought into the country, he was unable to answér until the
Chief told him to say, a great number of gilt chains exactly like that
which I had presented to Mattivi. I proceeded at first to. question
him very particularly as to all the circumstances of the alleged murder,
in order to derive some internal evidence which might convince me
either of the truth or falsity or his testimony; but Muloja himself
and Mattivi and all the chieftains who sat round us, finding that their
story could not stand against this scrutiny, began to show themselves
displeased at my making such minute inquiries; and the man,
apparently confused in his account, asked roughly, why I put so many
questions, as though I doubted his veracity: he had, he said, beheld
the whole affair with his own eyes, and had -seen Mokkaba’s people
cut off their heads and arms; and that ought to be enough to con-
vince me that it was the Nuakketsies who had put all the party, to
death, excepting, however, only one of the Klaarwater Hottentots; who
escaped and took refuge in Makrakki’s town, where, by order of that
chief, he was stabbed the next morning. Muloja here forgot that he

1812. AGAINST THE NUAKKETSIES. 505

had, in the beginning of his examination, and to evade several of my
questions, declared that, although he was then at Melitta, he was not
himself present at the murder; but had heard the whole account of
it from those who actually did see it. I therefore desired him, since
my mode of questioning was thought not agreeable, to relate, as he
pleased, whatever he knew of the affair. He then proceeded with
his story: it was so evidently inconsistent and contradictory, with
respect to, not only what I had already heard from other mouths, but
even the different parts of his own account, that the weakest credulity
could scarcely have listened to it with patience. I, however, took
the trouble, during this examination, of writing down his answers, as
it was my intention, I told them, to communicate the information to
the Cape Government: but the whole tale was dressed up in a manner,
and attended with a degree of management, so unlike the plain and
simple clothing and the air of truth, that I could not but feel disgusted
at their mean and dishonorable attempts, to prejudice strangers against
their enemies, by the base arts of falsehood. As the declaration of
my total disbelief of Muloja’s evidence, could have been productive
of no good to any party, but rather, of danger to ourselves ; I made
no remark on the subject, excepting that I should by the first oppor-
tunity send a letter to Cape Town to make known what [had now
heard. On this, the whole assembly exclaimed with great satis-
faction, that, what I said was very good; evidently rejoicing at the
prospect of a great body of white-men being sent to exterminate the
Nuakketsies. It would be useless here to repeat a fabricated tale of
events which never took place, as I rose from the assembly with a
strong conviction that, however little was the doubt which could be
entertained of the melancholy fate of my unfortunate countrymen
and their companions, the Nuakketsies were certainly not the perpe-
trators of the crime with which their enemies the Bachapins now
charged them.

In consequence of the request which I had before made of Mattivi,
that he would order his people to produce for my inspection, every
article of European manufacture obtained from the Nuakketsies and

VOL. II. 3T

506 CAUTIONS RESPECTING THE BATAMMAKAS. 3 AuG.

considered as part of the plunder of those travellers, a man after-
wards brought me, and it was the only article which could be found,
a piece, of about two feet long, of a red sash, such as is usually
worn by military officers; asserting, at the same time, that it had
been procured from the people of Melitta. But as I had already
been assured, on the authority of a person who was present on the
occasion, that this sash was given to Mulihaban by Captain Donnovan,
the bringing of it forward now, as a proof of the alleged murder,
served only to confirm my suspicions that the whole tale was a base
fabrication, and a proof of nothing more than the falsehood and dis-
honorable motives of those who invented it.

As soon as this examination was finished, I informed Mattivi,
that, as all our provisions were now exhausted and we found great
difficulty in procuring game in the vicinity of the town, I intended
to make a hunting excursion at a distance in the country, and expected
to be absent from Litakun about a fortnight or three weeks.

I therefore requested him to make known to all his people, that,
as the Batémmakas were now in the land with hostile views, and as
we, not being able at a distance to distinguish this tribe from the
Bachapins, should consider any party of men approaching us under sus-
picious appearances, to be a detachment from the enemy, and should
fire upon them accordingly, the Bachapins, whom we regarded as our
friends and whom we should always be glad to see at any station
where we might happen to be, must be careful not to visit us in large
bodies, lest we should unfortunately mistake them for the enemy.
To this request he replied, that he would give his people the
necessary caution.

It being now publicly known that I was on the point of quitting
Litakun, the inhabitants, and more especially the chieftains, were
most importunate for tobacco. They pressed around me and climbed
into the waggon in so intruding a manner, that I was obliged to defer
my meal till I should have left the town; as they were determined,
for the last day, to push their beggings to that extremity at which
they began to assume almost the appearance of demands, in order to

1812. KIBBUKIILI, THE CHIEF'S WIFE. 507

profit by the only opportunity remaining: and in the early part of
the morning, some of the natives stole from the hut a few trifling
things belonging to the Hottentots.

Serrakutu now became very troublesome by his request for
beads ; and seemed as though he would not hear a denial: but when
I offered him tobacco on condition of his sitting for his portrait, he
soon afterwards left me, although he had given his consent to be
drawn.

The Chief’s wife Kibbiktili, the mother of Massisan, had, in con-
sequence of my having a few days before promised to ‘ put her in the
book,’ dressed herself in her best Nuakketsi hat *, to set herself. off,
as she supposed, to the greatest advantage, and give her an air of
importance becoming so great a personage. She had been waiting
in the mootsi the greater part of the morning; but I had been too
much engaged to attend to her, till, seeing me preparing for departure,
she desired Muchtinka to remind me of my promise. As I succeeded
in obtaining as good a likeness of her, as I had of Mollemmi, I was
rewarded in the same manner with the approbation of the bystanders ;
who now seemed to think that for this approbation they were entitled
to some muchuko.

A kosi brought an ox which he offered me for sale; and as he
appeared extremely desirous of exchanging it for beads, I allowed
myself to treat with him, in order to avoid giving offence: although,
in consequence of the disputes which had always arisen from those
transactions, I had resolved to have here no further dealings of this
nature. Wishing to conclude the bargain at once without dispute,
and by extraordinary liberality to prevent all disagreement on his
part, I showed him in payment a quantity of beads, which was twice

* Of this hat, a representation will be found at the end of the chapter. It was said
to be a manufacture of the tribe above-mentioned; and is made, apparently, of some
species of rush. (Vol.i. p. 263.) The manner in which it is wove together is the same as
that which is practised by the Caffres Proper, in the making of their milk-baskets. (Vol. i.
p- 269.) It is held fast upon the head by a thong of leather passing under the chin.
Among the Bachapins, this hat is not often seen; and, being of foreign workmanship, it
‘3 considered as too expensive an article of dress for general use.

3T Z

508 ATTEMPT AT BARTER.— THE MOOTSI CROWDED. . 3 Auc.

as much as the price at which the Hottentot elephant-hunters had,
only a week before, bought a number of oxen. The man, however,
exemplified, very forcibly, the difficulty of satisfying a covetous dis-
position: he immediately answered, Okétsa (Add more). Mattivi
was standing by, and urging him to increase his demands; but I
positively declared that nothing more would be given than the
quantity which was then produced before him, as I knew by ex-
perience that, had I assented to the price he asked, and concluded
the purchase of the ox, he would shortly afterwards have found some
trifling excuse for complaining that I had not paid so much as it was
worth ; and I should thus have been compelled, in order to avoid
contention and serious misunderstanding, to give a price so exorbi-
tant, that it would have been to me little less in effect than actual
plunder. The necessities of the long journey before me, rendered it
highly imprudent to waste my beads, which, as already mentioned,
are the only money of the regions in the Interior; at least, as far as
report had given me to understand. I was therefore not sorry to see
the man drive his ox home again.

As the taking of a single sheep along with us on this excursion,
would have been attended with great trouble and inconvenience, I
left the only one we had remaining, to run with Mattivi’s flock till
my return; and requested him to receive among his herd an ox
which was due to me from a man named Klowdni, whom I had
already paid for it, but which, on account of the distance of his
cattle-station, had not yet arrived in town. The Chief again urged
a request for more ammunition, but in our present want of provi-
sions, which we had no means of remedying but by powder and ball,
I found an admissible excuse for refusing it.

As soon as my teams were brought into the mootsi, I ordered
my Hottentots to yoke them to the waggons. These preparations
for immediate departure attracted a great concourse of the inhabit-
ants around us, and the enclosure was soon completely filled mae
men, women, and children.

It was not till within an hour of sunset, that all was ready for
travelling; when we drove out of the town, attended by Mattivi

1812. . DEPARTURE FROM LITAKUN. 509

himself with his brothers and most of his chieftains, besides an in-
numerable crowd. Not knowing whether so large a body of men
was to be viewed as a friendly escort or as a preparative for some
act of intimidation or treachery, I armed myself with a cutlass, and
buckled on two braces of pistols, as though my usual travelling
accoutrement.

No other molestation, however, than begging, was offered to
me; but, under the impression that | was about to leave them
finally, or, at least, that I should be absent a long time, their im-
portunities were now more unrestrained than ever: some of them
even demanded tobacco enough to last till my return; and one man,
who to gratify his own curiosity in so new a mode of conveyance,
had been riding a short distance, claimed a piece in consideration of
his having been bruised by the jolting of my waggon. Mattivi, for
the same motive, jumped up behind the great waggon as it was
moving on, but, unused to the rough motion of the vehicle, he was
unable to keep his hold, and, on its passing over a rocky spot, was
shaken off; after which he made no further attempt at riding.

In the confusion of the crowd, my thermometer narrowly escaped
being lost: its usual place while travelling, was in one of the bags
which were fastened within the tilt; but by the violence of the jolts
it was thrown out, and fell to the ground unperceived by us, when
Kramori, who happened to be walking immediately behind, picked
it up, and was in the act of secreting it under his kobo, when
fortunately the red color of its leathern case caught my eye, and on
my instantly demanding it from him, he found himself obliged,
though with apparent reluctance, to deliver it up.

The greater number of the men who were present at our depar-
ture, believing that they should not see us again, had followed me,
with the expectation of receiving some parting presents; but when
I assured them, that I should most certainly take up my residence
again at Litakun, the crowd, after accompanying us for about half a
mile from the town, by degrees turned back again homewards.
Mattivi, with his brothers and attendants, having continued with us
for a short distance farther, took leave, and, turning their steps

510 PROSPECT ON LEAVING LITAKUN. 3 Auc. 1812.

towards Litakun, left us to pursue our journey unmolested and
alone.

My own men, feeling themselves now freed from a place where
they had been living in a state of fear and uneasiness, regained, in
proportion as we increased our distance from it, somewhat of their
usual mood, and began to encourage a hope that I should ultimately
relinquish all intention of returning. But, as I was desirous of com-
pleting my knowledge of this. tribe, or, at least, of collecting inform-
ation on many subjects with which I considered myself as not yet
sufficiently acquainted, I had resolved not to allow the troublesome
manners of the inhabitants to deter me from an abode among them
as long as there appeared a prospect of obtaining there any portion
of the principal object of my travels, or of acquiring that kind of
experience which I deemed necessary to success in my future pro-
egress through the unknown regions of the Interior.

The narrative of these travels having now proceeded as far as it
was intended, the two following chapters, containing observations
extracted principally from the subsequent parts of the journal, are
added for the purpose of completing the work as an account of the
inhabitants of the interior regions of Southern Africa, and more
especially for conveying as much general information as may be
sufficient for filling up the description of the Bachapins.

MM
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CHAPTER XVII.
‘
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TOWN OF LITAKUN 3; —ITS HISTORY ; — RE-
GULATIONS 3; — POPULATION 3; — ARCHITECTURE } — DOMESTIC ARRANGE-
MENT 3; — SITUATION ; — AND CLIMATE.

Tue Town of Litékun (Letarkoon) lies in the parallel of
27°. 6. 44'. of south-latitude ; and, according to estimation by course
and distance, on the meridian of 24°. 39.27”. of east longitude from
Greenwich. It is distant from Cape Town about 972 miles by the
road, in the direction of north-east. The nearest sea-coast is, ac-
cording to the latest charts, that which is named ‘the coast of Natal,’
on the eastern side of the continent; a distance which, if actually
travelled, would probably be found to be not less than 700 miles ;
as Algoa Bay, the nearest sea on the south, is at a journey of about
750 miles. The mouth of the Gariep*, the nearest coast on the
west, appears to be equidistant with Algoa Bay.

* The mouth of this river has been placed in various maps, in the latitude of 284°,
on the authority only of an observation, said to have been made by Colonel Gordon, a
Dutch lieutenant-governor of the Cape.

512 REMOVALS OF THE BACHAPIN CAPITAL.

This town had not occupied its present situation more than
six years. Previously to that time, the chief-town of the Bacha-
pins stood on the Arumdin river, and then bore the same name as the
river ; on which spot it had not existed for a longer period than four
years, having been transplanted, in the year 1802, from the banks of
the Méshewa (Moshowa), where it bore the more proper name of
Litékun* ; and this name, though with less propriety, has been trans-
ferred to the present town, as being situated not far from its ancient
site. At the time when it stood onthe Moshdéwa, it contained more
than twice as many inhabitants; but the greater number had
emigrated to a spot many days’ journey farther north-eastward, with
a Chief named Makrakki, who separated from Mulihaéban on account
of a quarrel occasioned by the latter having taken away one of the
other’s wives: while Mulihaban, on the same occasion, removed with
all his tribe, or rather adherents, to the Kruman. During my residence
with Matttvi, he frequently assured me that it was his determination
to remove, ultimately, to Nokdnniin (Nokainnéen) the place of his
birth, and the country where the Bachapins anciently resided : it was
described as being situated several days’ journey south-westward
from the Kruman town. ‘The first step of his removal, which he
intended taking in the course of the following year, was to be once
more to the banks of the Kruman; so that the chief-town of the
Bachapins would then no longer bear the name of Litakun.

These facts show how far this people is to be considered as a
wandering tribe, and in what degree it is entitled to be regarded as a
settled nation: they seem to prove that the Bachapins stand just
on the line which marks the division between an agricultural or
stationary, and a nomadic, life.

The present town occupies the greater part of a plain of about
two miles in diameter, surrounded by hills or mountains of moderate
elevation. The soz, as in most parts of these regions, is sandy and

* See the meaning of this name explained at page 307.

SITE OF LITAKUN.— CLUSTERS OF HOUSES. 513

of ared color. This plain, the surface of which is not, however, per-
fectly level, appeared, from the number of stumps and stems of trees
every where standing, to have been originally a grove of mokdlas,
or camelthorns; all of which, excepting here and there a single
tree, had been cut down for the purposes of building the houses, and
for fuel. A town of similar construction can, it seems, be erected
only in a wood or grove, in which, therefore, houses take the place of
trees; and consequently it cannot conveniently, and I believe, never
is, on a Subsequent removal, re-erected exactly on the same place where
it formerly stood. This may with great probability be supposed as the
reason why the present Litakun was not built on its former site.
The ground about the town and in the intermediate spaces between
the houses, was generally grown over, in a scattered manner, with
bushes and wild herbage, but scarcely any grass was to be seen: or
in other words, every part of this plain was left in its natural and
rough state, excepting the areas enclosed by the fences which sur-
round the houses.

The town had been built without the least attempt at regularity
of arrangement; and the houses were placed with as little appearance
of order or of any particular plan, as the trees of the grove which
stood there before them. Consequently there were neither streets
nor squares; and the only circumstances which seemed to have
determined the position of a house, were evenness of ground, and
clearness from bushes; for, in a spot destitute of trees and water,
these people find nothing to guide their choice, excepting, perhaps,
the nature of the ground on which they are to build.

Such a town may be considered as a collection of little villages,
each under the superintendance of its own chieftain: and, from as
much as I was enabled to observe, I was induced to suppose, that
when the Chief of the tribe or nation, has, with the concurrence of
the principal inhabitants, fixed on any place as a convenient site for
their town, each chieftain or kést pitches his house on a separate
spot, while all his relations and friends, or dependants, build theirs
around him; and often so close to each other as barely to leave a

VOL. Il. 3U

514 TENURE OF LANDS.— POPULATION.

passage between the outer fences, though more trequedily placed
farther apart.

The concurrence of the Chief, in the choice they make of the
spot on which they are to build, is always required; and when a
Bachapin, who has been living at another village or station, desires
to fix his residence in the town, he applies to the Chief; who with
his kdsies goes to inspect the spot, and either confirms the choice
or appoints another.

A permission of the same kind is necessary before any person can
take possession of a spring of water and make use of the surround-
ing pastures; but as long as the occupier chuses afterwards to remain
there, he is never disturbed or interrupted in his right, nor does he
pay any other acknowledgment for this privilege, than the first cere-
mony of asking leave. It must not, however, be concluded that
this nation are acquainted with any of those distinctions of landed
property, which would class such possessions either as allodial, or
as feodal lands; or that the soil, as I have before stated, is ever
regarded as the property either of the Chief or of his subjects.

A considerable space of unoccupied ground generally separates
the division of one chieftain from that of another ; though some-
times they adjoin. The number of such divisions, or clusters of
houses, appeared, as I viewed the town from the surrounding hills,
to be between thirty and forty. From the same point of view, I
was enabled to form an estimate of the number of dwellings or
families; and this I found to be nearly eight hundred. Most of
these dwellings consisted of an enclosure containing two, and often
three, houses, in which the different members of the family, and the
servants, were lodged; or of which one served as a storehouse for
corn and other provisions of that nature.

By collecting together all the different data which could be
obtained both from observation and inquiry, and taking the average
of their results, I have ventured to state the number of inhabitants at
Litakun, at five thousand; and believe this to be rather below, than
above, the actual amount.

@

Lrgraved t: Coloured atier the orignal Drawag made by WS Lurcheld LsgT

’

Lublished: by Longman & C2 May 11823 .

EXTENT OF THE TOWN.— PLAN OF THE DWELLINGS. 515

The walk from the southern extremity of the town, to the
northern, occupied half an hour, which may be taken for a distance
of at least a mile and a half; and, in an eastward direction, the length
was above two miles. The town, on approaching it from any part of
the surrounding plains, appeared to be formed of an innumerable
collection of houses contiguous to each other; and it was only from
a considerable eminence that the great quantity of intervening vacant
space and its irregular plan, were very observable in a single view.

The business of building the houses, as well as that of keeping
them in order, is a duty which, in this nation, custom has allotted to
the women only; and I was always assured, that every part was the
work of their hands; although I never had any opportunity of
seeing the construction of one of these buildings in its progress.

The spot of ground appropriated to each dwelling was in general
between forty and sixty feet in diameter, and in every case was enclosed
by a strong fence. This area was circular, or as near to that form, as
it could be conveniently made: it was sometimes, however, on the
plan represented by the engraving at the end of the chapter, or of
two elliptical or circular areas conjoined. This engraving, and the
one at page 511, together with the 9th Plate *, will render the fol-
lowing descriptions more easily intelligible, and supply many of the
smaller particulars which have, for this reason, been omitted in the
text. ;

The outer fence never exceeded seven feet in height, nor was it
less than four and a half: in the better houses it was most commonly
about six feet high; and at the bottom, the thickness was two feet
and a half, gradually diminishing to nine or twelve inches at the top.
It was constructed of straight twigs and small branches, placed

* Plate 9 is a plan, with a geometrical elevation, or rather section, of a Bachapin dwel-
ling. In order to show its structure, it is here represented as cut through the middle, in
a direction from the great corn-jar to the side of the door-way in the outer fence. In the
ground-plan, A is the veranda; B, the outer room; C, the inner, or central room; D, the
storeroom; E, the corn-house; F, F, corn-jars; G, the servants’ house: H, the fire-
place; and I, the outer fence.

3u Z

516 STRUCTURE OF THE OUTER FENCE.— THE DOOR-WAY.

upright and parallel to each other, but so carefully interwoven, or
connected, that they formed a defence so close and firm, that they
were impenetrable to a hassagay and, at their lower part, even to a
musket-ball. They were, both within and without, extremely neat,
and not the smallest twig projected beyond the surface, which was as
even as that of a basket. ‘These twigs had been first divested of all
their leaves, and were most commonly cut from the mohaaka, a tree
or shrub which grows in abundance in every part of the Great Plains
of Litakun.

This fence from its solidity and strength, might rather be called
a wall, than a hedge. It is generally bound together at the top by a
line of twigs running all round within and without, as may be
observed in the 6th Plate at page 464; and when the entrance is
properly closed, it is a sufficient protection against a surprise from
either their enemies or wild beasts. It constitutes an exccllent
shelter against violent winds, which, in so open and exposed a situa-
tion, are not unfrequent ; and which are more easily resisted by a
circular, than by any other, form.

The fences of the poorer inhabitants were frequently made of
other less suitable branches, such as the various kinds of acacia: in
which case, they took the pains to turn the thorns inwards, and often
made very neat fences even with these rough materials: yet in my
walks through the town I observed several of these hedges not more
even than a faggot, and scarcely five feet high. '

In these fences, there is never more than one door-way or
opening by which the enclosure can be entered ; and which at night,
or at other times when no one is at home, is closed by a rude wicker
door. This opening is adapted only for the admission of a single
person, and is very judiciously made smaller at bottom than at top,
in the same proportion which the width of the feet bears to that of
the shoulders ; thus by leaving as small an opening as conveniently
possible, the enclosed area is better sheltered from wind.

The dwelling-house generally stands in the middle of the
enclosure, which is divided into a front-court and a back-yard. The

CIRCULAR ARCHITECTURE. — THE LARGER HOUSES. 517

floor of both these, is formed of clay tempered with the manure from
the cattle-pounds, and beaten or spread exactly level, and perfectly
smooth. Yet when there is within the fence, no more than one
building, it is often placed on the side of the enclosed space.

The houses are universally built on a circular plan, and are,
without a single exception, of the same general form and outward
appearance ; though varying, to a certain degree, in their internal
structure or arrangement, according to the wants or inclination of the
owner. They vary also somewhat in the proportions of the different
parts, and in size; but the linear dimensions of the largest were never
so much as double those of the smallest.

It is a circumstance worthy of remark, that the Bachapins, and
perhaps every other Bichuana nation, very rarely exhibit angular
forms either in their architecture or in any of their works. This,
whether derived from ancient custom or from natural judgement,
shows a distinct and peculiar taste, and marks an essential difference
between their architecture and that of civilized nations. I never saw
among them a building, or enclosure, with straight, or right lined,
sides; and it seems therefore, that their own observation and ex-
perience, has taught these people by practical demonstration, the
axiom that a circle comprises a greater area than any other figure of
equal circumference ; or, as we may suppose their mode of expressing
it would be, that a greater number of men or cattle may be contained
in an enclosure of that shape, and that thus, the making of the outer
fence, or the walls, is performed with as little labor as possible.

The roof of the larger houses, covers a space of ground of about
six-and-twenty feet in diameter, and the eaves are supported at the
height of four or five feet from the ground, by a number of posts at
the distance of two, three, or four feet, apart. These posts are
merely rough stems of trees: sometimes, though seldom, the bark is
taken off to give them a neater appearance; and in many houses,
they are connected together by a wall formed of sticks neatly plastered
over with a composition of sandy clay and the fresh manure from the
cattle-pounds, or grass cut into small pieces. This wall is about half

518 THE WALLS.— FIRE PLACES. — SIZE OF THE HOUSE.

the height of the posts, generally level at top, or sometimes fancifully
indented or waved from one post to the other: its thickness is
between four and six inches, and it extends only round the front part
of the house, or that part which is comprised in the front-court ; it
is sometimes built separate from the posts and at about six inches on
the outside of them. At the distance of about three feet and a half
within these posts, stands the principal, or outward, wall of the build-
ing, reaching up to the roof and constructed of the same materials as
the half-wall. The space between these walls, is commonly used as
a sitting-place, when the heat of the sun renders shade desirable; or
in rainy or cold weather, at which time a fire is made on the floor, in
a placed hollowed out for this purpose.

-At other times the fire is always made in a similar hollow in the
floor of the front-court. This fireplace, as already mentioned, is a
circular and very shallow basin, having its edge raised a little above
the floor, and about two feet in diameter. The fires which are made
in these, are very small, as well on account of the scarcity of fuel in
the vicinity of so large a town, as of the fear of sparks or flame
catching the thatch: for, where all the materials are so combustible
and in this climate generally so dry, the destruction of such a house,
would be but the affair of perhaps twenty or thirty minutes.

The size of the house properly so called, or the space enclosed by
the principal or outward wall, is from eight to thirteen feet in
diameter ; which are the measures of the smallest, and of the largest
houses. In this wall there are no windows, or opening for the
admission of light, such being unnecessary, as this part of the dwel-
ling is appropriated to the purpose of a sleeping-place: it serves also
as a store-room for clothing and arms, for which, darkness is con-
venient as it conceals the property from the knowledge of their
neighbours or of strangers. The only opening therefore, is the
doorway ; which may be better described as, a hole in the wall just
large enough to admit a person to creep through, and of the shape
of an irregular oval, the larger end of which being upwards, and
the smaller a foot above the floor.

THE CENTRAL APARTMENT. — THE ROOF. 519

Some houses have no further internal divisions: one of this
kind is represented in the engraving at the end of the chapter ;
where it may be seen that an additional wall or skreen is built up
within the doorway, for the purpose of making this sleeping-place
either darker, or more secure.

Others have a small inner apartment which occupies the centre
of the building, as shown in the 9th Plate. This, I was informed,
is used as a winter sleeping-place; otherwise, it may be supposed to
be intended as the bed-room for the parents, while the outer apart-
ment is for the children.

To comprehend clearly the domestic arrangements of these
people, it must be borne in mind that every individual, with very
few exceptions, enters the state of marriage as soon as he arrives at
a proper age, and then lives in a house of his own; consequently the
parents have the care only of the younger children.

This inner or central apartment is frequently built in the shape
of a cone, or of a half-ellipsis, the point of which reaches up to the
height of the roof which it serves to support and strengthen. In
other instances, as in the Plate, its form is cylindrical; and this ap-
peared to be an improved construction. The walls of this, as of all
the others, are formed of stout upright stakes or posts, the interstices
of which are filled up with smaller branches and twigs, and the
whole plastered, and entirely covered, with prepared clay, so as to
give the appearance of a smooth wall. The floor of the house is
neatly made of the same clay or composition, and kept always
smooth and clean. In the largest houses, the height in the centre is
about nine or ten feet, and under the eaves, four or five.

The roof is in the shape of a depressed cone, the sides of which
form an angle always greater than ninety degrees and most com-
monly a hundred and twenty ; as may be observed in the 5th and
6th Plates, where the figure and angle of the different roofs are
exactly those of the houses from which they were drawn. It is
constructed of rough poles, or branches, bound together generally
with acacia-bark, and meeting at the centre or top. Over these, sticks

520 THE THATCH. — THE STORE-ROOM. — THE CORN-JARS.

and twigs are tied transversely ; and upon them is laid a thatch of long
grass or straw; for which purpose the tall grass of the surrounding
plains is extremely well suited, and forms a very neat and close
covering. To secure the thatch from being blown off by the violent
winds, to which so open a situation is often exposed, or by the
whirlwinds which occasionally occur in the hot days of summer, a
number of thin twigs are stuck into it by both their ends ; and several
transverse rows of these, alternating with those above and below, are
found perfectly to answer that purpose.

In most of the Bachapin houses, the back part both inwardly
and outwardly, is divided from the front, by transverse walls; and
in the same manner a cross fence separates the front court from the
back-yard. This after-part was not enclosed by walls; it might be
considered as an open shed, and was generally intended as a granary,
or store-room for the principal bulk of their dry provisions.

The corn is preserved in what may be termed large jars, of
various dimensions, but most commonly between four and five feet
high, and _ three, wide. The shape of these cornjars is nearly
that of an egg-shell having its upper end cut off: sometimes their
mouth is contracted in a manner which gives them a great resem-
blance to a European oil-jar. They are formed with stakes and
branches fixed into the ground and interwoven with twigs; this
framework being afterwards plastered within and without, in the same
manner as the walls of the building. Frequently the bottoms of
these jars are raised about six inches or a foot above the ground:
and the lower part of the stakes being then uncovered, gives them the
appearance of standing on short legs. Their contents are usually
protected by a covering of skin or straw.

This mode of keeping their corn and beans, shows a degree of in-
genuity equal to that which is displayed in the construction of their
houses, and is to be admired for its simplicity and perfect adequate-
ness to the purpose. In the dwellings of the richer inhabitants, the
back part of the house is completely filled with jars of this kind,
among which, I have sometimes observed one of much larger dimen-

THE DWELLING OF THE CHIEF. 521

sions, and others much smaller. Many families require, for these
purposes, an additional corn-house, to contain several more such
jars. This house is placed in the back-yard, and is built in the same
style, and of the same materials, as the principal house; but is
always smaller and enclosed only with a single wall; the doorway or
opening taking a sixth, or even a fourth, of the circumference.

Besides this hut, there is commonly, in the enclosure of the
kosies, a small hut for their immediate servant or attendant. This is
also placed in the back-yard.

There is one quality for which the Bachapins, and probably the
other tribes of Bichuanas, are greatly to be admired, and in which
they excel all the more southern inhabitants of this part of Africa ;
the neatness, good order and cleanness of their dwellings. Nothing
can exceed their neatness ; and by cleanness I mean to say, the great
carefulness which they show to remove all rubbish and every thing
unsightly: not a twig, nor loose pebble, nor dust, nor even a straw,
is to be seen on the floor within the fence; nothing lies out of its
place, and it is evident that in the better houses they are continually
attending to these circumstances. The houses of the poorer people
are not so remarkable for this care; but still they exhibit much
neatness.

It is remarkable that the dwelling of the Chief and that of his
brother Mollémmi were less important in size and outward appear-
ance, than those of many of the inferior chieftains. The perspec-
tive elevation and plan, at the end of this chapter, were drawn from
Mollémmi’s house ; and Mattivi’s was in no respect different from this,
unless, as I had no opportunity of examining its interior arrange-
ment, it might possibly have been differently divided within. They
were both of smaller dimensions than those which are given in the
9th plate; or than those of the engraving at page 511. which is the
representation of a house of the largest size. By referring to the
explanatory note to that plate, and to the preceding descriptions, the
different parts of these two engravings, will be easily understood.
A dwelling house belonging to Serrakéitu the Chief’s uncle, was also
of the largest size; a circumstance to be ascribed perhaps more to

VOL. Il. 3X

522 MOOTSIES. — PLACES OF BURIAL.

the architectural talents of his wife, than to his own rank or situ-
ation in society.

If we consider the habits and customs of this nation, their mode
of life, and the state of society among them, we must acknowledge
that such dwellings as have now been described, are exceedingly con-
venient and perfectly suited to every want and fitted to every cir-
cumstance; nor, as long as they and the neighbouring tribes re-
main stationary at their present degree of civilization, can any
improvement be required. But should they ever learn so much of
the arts of Europe as to acquire a taste for greater refinements and a
thirst for higher knowledge, they will naturally feel the want of a
different and better kind of dwelling, and will consequently be ready
to adopt such innovations as the improved state of their mind and
of their mode of life, will render necessary. But whether such an
improved state will be seen by the present generation, or by the
next, or ever, is an event which may reasonably be considered as
at present problematical.

Attached to each division of the town, is generally to be seen
one or more enclosures called a méotsi (moatsy) *, cattle-pounds, and in
which the cows and oxen are secured for the night. These have
been already described; and the nature of the public enclosures where
the chiefs and their friends meet for business or for amusement, has
been sufficiently explained (at page 371).

It is in these mootsies, or rather in the cattle-pounds, where the
chiefs and the different chieftains are buried. The inhabitants in
general bury their dead either in their cattle-pounds, or in any con-
venient spot without the town; but I confess that with respect to
their funerals or the ceremonies, if any, which are observed at them,
I am unable to give any particular information, as an opportunity of
witnessing them, never occurred. It is evident that the Bachapins

* This word is sometimes pronounced mats¢ (méotsy) and miéitsu (méotsoo). It has
also the signification of a dwelling in general, and includes the idea of house and cattle-
pound. "The word likhdai is used for the same purpose, but I believe signifies more cor-
rectly, a cattle-pound.

CATTLE-STATIONS. — MILK; AND MILK-BAGS. 523

are desirous of concealing the burial-places of their friends, or at
least, that they have no wish to perpetuate a knowledge of the spot
by setting up any mark over the grave, as I no where could distin-
guish even the smallest appearance of any memorial of this nature.
On the contrary, I have heard it frequently repeated, that they often
leave the corpses in the plains, as food for hyenas and vultures;
though it is not in my power to vouch for the correctness of this in-
formation. The former Chief, Mulihaban, who died only three
months before my arrival at Litakun, was buried in the cattle-pound
next to the enclosure where my waggons were stationed; and I
know that it was the law, that no one might enter that mootsi with
sandals or shoes on; and that my Hottentots to avoid the trouble of
taking theirs off, usually employed one of the natives to drive out
my oxen in the morning. Whether this law, or observance, was in-
tended as public respect for the dead, or arose from some feelings of
superstition, it could not be clearly ascertained ; but it probably is to
be attributed to the latter cause.

As it would be impossible to find, in the vicinity of the town,
pasturage for the whole of the cattle belonging to its inhabitants,
they retain at home no greater number than their wants render
absolutely necessary ; the rest being distributed at the various cattle-
stations, and entrusted to the care of their own servants or herdsmen,
or to the younger branches of their family. From these stations the
milk is sent once or twice in the week, according to their greater or
less distance from town.

The milk thus sent, soon changes its nature, and on its arrival, is
always found converted to that kind which they call mashe (or mdshi) a
buriila (sour or thick milk); and by the shaking which it receives on
the journey, little balls of butter are most frequently produced in the
bags, the only mode of churning which they are acquainted with, and,
L believe, the only occasions on which that substance is produced.
These milk-bags are made of a piece of ox-hide sewed together in
the manner and form shown in the 42nd vignette hereafter described ;
and in the 6th plate may be seen the usual appearance of an ox with
a load of milk, returning to town from one of the distant stations.

axe

524 CATTLE. — DOGS. — HYDROPHOBIA.

The cattle usually kept at the town, are generally cows, retained
there only by those who prefer or require sweet milk. Some pack-
oxen for occasional service, and a few goats, are also fed in the sur-
rounding plain; but oxen for slaughter are always pastured at the
out-posts, and driven to town only as they are wanted for use. Of
these last, a considerable number are brought in every night, and
killed early the next morning. Among their small cattle, I saw a
few sheep; but these belonged mostly to the Chief, who had obtained
nearly the whole of them by bartering with the Missionaries and
Hottentots of Klaarwater. The Bachapins prefer them to goats, and
are now endeavouring both to rear and to purchase large flocks,
although as yet they are scarce and in the possession of none
but the chieftains or richer inhabitants, who have purchased most of
them at the rate of an elephant’s tooth for each sheep.

The Bachapins possess dogs, but not of a large size, nor
apparently of any very valuable qualifications: they are generally
very thin and meagre, as their masters themselves devour all the
offal which should fall to the share of the animals. They feed them
so sparingly that they barely preserve them from starvation ; giving
them nothing but the bones, and not always these, as the more
spongy parts, such as the ends of the leg bones, are frequently eaten
by the men, after being pounded to small particles. The hydrophobia
or canine madness, is unknown in these regions; and indeed in the
whole of the southernmost part of Africa. Even in the Cape
Colony this dreadful disorder is so rare, that I never heard of an
instance of it during the five years of my being in that part of the
globe.

Of horses they have literally, none: and this is also the case
with all the Bichuana nations, as well as the Bushmen, and, I be-
lieve, with the whole Hottentot race, excepting the Hottentots
proper.

With the cat, or other domestic animal, they are totally unac-
quainted, nor have they the least notion of rearing poultry, or of
taming any of the wild animals or birds. Such occupations belong
not to the pastoral life; nor can they exist here, as a common employ-

GAME. — FIRE-ARMS.— HUNTING. 525

ment, without a higher degree of civilization than that at which these
people have hitherto arrived.

The great and powerful cause which will long operate to check
the extension of the cultivation of grain, is the abundance of wild
animals to be met with in all parts of the country; and until these
shall be reduced in number or driven out of the land, it is hardly to be
expected that the natives will turn to settled agricultural pursuits.
The introduction of jire-arms among them would ultimately operate
to the promotion of tillage, notwithstanding that their first effects
might occasion the neglect of it. By hunting, this people would
at first obtain food in a manner so much more agreeable than
by agriculture, that grain would probably become but a secondary
resource; but the evil would remedy itself, and the more eagerly
they pursued the chase, and the more numerous were the guns and
the hunters, the sooner would the game be destroyed or driven out
of the country.

This, although an experiment not to be recommended in these
regions, has actually taken place in the Cape Colony, and the result
clearly proved that which has just been stated. In a few years more,
the game will probably be forced to quit their districts, and the colonists
will, consequently, cease to think ofhunting. There can be little doubt,
that the wild animals have, on this account, been rendered more
numerous beyond the boundary, whither multitudes have fled for
refuge. And in the same manner, it is probable that the tribes
beyond the Klaarwater Hottentots, have benefited in this respect by
the fire-arms and continual huntings of these latter.

The mountains in the immediate vicinity of Litakun are com-
posed of a red sand-stone, or grit-stone; varying in compactness,
and sometimes of a friable nature. Small fragments which have long
been exposed to the air, often exhibit some resemblance to a biscuit
or loaf of bread; the atmosphere producing on the ferrugineous
particles contained in them, an effect which gives them outwardly
the appearance and color of crust.

A rock which may be called serpentine, of a greenish hue and

526 MOUNTAINS. — PIPE-STONE. — TREES.

prettily marked with black spots or streaks, is found here. It is cut by
the natives and by the Hottentots, into tobacco-pipes, and approaches
in its nature, to potstone, but is of greater hardness. The natives
pretended to set a value upon it, and on my sending one of the
Hottentots to get me some pieces, they demanded payment. This
was the only spot in the whole of my travels, where we met with
this kind of stone; but it is found in Great Namaqua-land, where
the variety, though of the same nature and colors, is more handsomely
marked or variegated, and is much prized by the Dutch colonists,
who also form the bowls of their pipes of it, and have therefore
given it the name of pyp-klip (pipe-stone). The Bachapins call it
ltinchui-a-kiikéana which has exactly the same interpretation ; liinchut
signifying a stone, rock, or rocky mountain, and kakdna a tobacco-
pipe.

The mountains about Litakun are of moderate height and of
rounded or flattened forms ; and everywhere bare of wood, excepting
a few low scattered bushes. Among the shrubs growing on that
mountain which I ascended, the Vangueria was the largest; the
superstitious belief attached to it, hiviae alone preserved it Hr om the
fate of all the rest, which had been cut up for fuel.

The trees which constituted the grove m which the town had
originally been built, appeared to be all acacias, but of several species ;
four of them confounded, by the Hottentots, under the name of
camelthorn*, and of these, two were now met with for the first time.
The hookthorn, the Cape acacia, and another of smaller growth,
grew in some places ; but, at this season the vegetable productions of
this spot were found to present but few new features.

The climate of Litakun demands in this place no particular
description, as it differs little from that of Klaarwater, excepting by a
greater degree of warmth. The range of the thermometer, during the
three months which I passed at this town and in the surrounding region

* These were Acacia giraffe ; Acacia heteracantha, B; Acacia Litakunensis, B; and
Acacia robusta, B. The other species were Acacia Capensis; Acacia detinens, B, and
Acacia stolonifera, B

CLIMATE. — LANDSCAPE. — CORN-FIELDS. 527

within twenty-five miles, is exhibited in the table below *, and the
Register of the Weather at the end of the volume will supply further
details, which, therefore, are here omitted. The air, though exceed-
ingly hot in summer, and sometimes even cold in winter, is certainly
to be considered salubrious, as I never heard the natives complaining
of any prevalent disorders which could be attributed to it. Indeed,
its aridity during the greater part of the year, and the openness of
the country and general dryness of the soil, are a sufficient security
against many complaints to which countries of an opposite character
are liable: nor is it improbable that all noxious vapors and the
baleful influence of an exhausted or contaminated atmosphere, if such
may be supposed ever to exist in these regions, are destroyed or cor-
rected by the few nights’ frost which occur in the course of the winter.

The landscape about Litakun is generally of that extensive and
open kind which presents for the pencil, little which European artists
are accustomed to consider as picturesque. It possesses, however,
some beauties of its own, which depend more on the effects of aérial
tints and the coloring of a warm arid country, than on richness of
subject or a romantic outline.

Soon after the commencement of the rainy season, the land in
the vicinity of the town, is converted into numerous plantations of
corn, beans, and watermelons, and which, equally with the buildings,
are the work only of female hands.

* In this table, the observations from which the mid-day heat was reckoned, were not
made literally at that hour, but as nearly about the middle, or warmest part, of the day, as
circumstances permitted. The thermometer was always in the shade.

1812.) 1812. 1812.

Thermometrical Observations made at Lztakun. July | Aug. | Sept.
Number of days observed . ..°. 5 «5 4. lo} 19° |, 17 |
Average mid-day heat, by Fahrenheit’s scale. . 693 aS coe
Highest mid-day heat observed . . . . su 79" 3S | sa1
Lowest mid-day heat observed . . . «1... 53 | 52 61

Lowest degree observed. . . . ». « © « « | 284] 43 | 40

528 ROADS.

Excepting these cornfields and the houses, no traces of human
labor are visible in any part of the country; no road nor pathway
but such as may have been accidentally worn down by passing and
repassing, is to be seen either in the town or in the neighbourhood.
Within the fence of their own dwellings, all marks of their industry
are confined ; unless the numerous stumps of trees, to be seen every
where about the town, are to be viewed as evidence of their laborious
perseverance in the use of the hatchet; but which at the same time
bear witness to their want of taste and judgement, in not leaving a
greater number of these beautiful trees standing as graceful orna-
ments to their town, or as a useful shade to their enclosures, or as
shelter to their dwellings.

leas

=

CHAPTER XVIII.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE BACHAPINS.

THEIR ORIGIN; POPULATION; GOVERNMENT; WARFARE; POLICY; TRADE;
AND LAWS. NATURE OF THEIR CHIEF'S AUTHORITY. THEIR RELIGION OR
SUPERSTITION 5 MORAL CHARACTER 5 NATURAL DISPOSITION 5 MENTAL CAPA-
CITY; FIGURE ; CAST OF FEATURES 5 WOMEN ; MARRIAGES 5 CLOTHING 3 PER-
SONAL ORNAMENTS 5 UTENSILS; DISORDERS 3; MODES OF CURE} LANGUAGE 3
FOOD; AGRICULTURE; MANUFACTURES ; ARTS; AND, AMUSEMENTS.

Tue following general description of the Bachapins, is intended
rather as a supplement to the foregoing pages, than as a complete
account by itself; as the particulars already given in the preceding |
chapters, are not repeated in this, or are but briefly alluded to: it is
therefore necessary to consider them as referred to on every occasion,
to supply those deficiences which may here occur, or to elucidate
those remarks which may appear to require further explanation.

The origin of that race of men who have been named Caffres, is
unknown ; and as it seems on every side to bea disputed point which,
in the absence of all historic record, will probably long continue

VOL. Ils 3 Y.

530 ON THE ORIGIN OF THE CAFFRE RACE.

undetermined, there is no sufficient reason why they should not be
regarded as the aborigines of the countries which they now inhabit.
The name of ‘ Caffre,’ which signifies, ‘ an infidel,’ is of Arabic extrac-
tion, and appears to have been bestowed by Mahometans, on the
natives of the southeasternmost coast of Africa, in allusion to their
ignorance of Islamism. As the inhabitants of the coast to the east of
the Cape Colony, are generally acknowledged to be men of the same
race as that to which this name had formerly been given, there can-
not be the least hesitation in considering the Bichudnas as Caffres
also *, although speaking a different language, and following different
customs. In features and person, they bear so close a resemblance,
that, on a subsequent occasion, when I had an opportunity of seeing
several hundreds of that nation which I have distinguished as the
‘ Caffres proper {,” I could easily have imagined myself to have been
again surrounded by the inhabitants of Litakun, and have fancied
that I again beheld many of my former Bachapin acquaintances.
Although the languages of these two people are very distinct, yet in
both may be found many words which seem to have had a common
origin ; and some which are exactly the same, or which differ but little.
The Sichuana language, however, draws a line of separation between
them, and proves that for many centuries the history of the Bichuana
nations or tribes, has had little connexion with that of the more
southern divisions of the Caffre race. The practice of circumcision,
as a custom handed down among them from time immemorial
though apparently having no reference to religious rites, is on the
one hand, considered as a proof of their descent from some more
civilized Mahometan nation; while on the other, I am more inclined
to view their close woolly hair, as a natural and stronger proof of
their having always been, as they now are, a genuine African race {:

* See Vol. I. p. 582.

+ In distinguishing those African tribes which inhabit the country immediately adjoin-
ing the eastern boundary of the Cape Colony, as the Caffres proper, I merely comply with
the common custom of the colonists; without pretending to decide the question, whether
they, or the Bichuanas, be the more genuine Caffres.

{ See also page 373.

GENERAL MODE OF LIFE OF THE BICHUANA TRIBES. 531

besides which, the very name of Caffre contradicts all modern suppo-
sition of such a descent. For that practice, they are, as far as I could
learn, unable to give any other reason than that of its being the
custom of their forefathers, which they are therefore bound to follow ;
and are probably deterred from the neglect of it, by some traditionary
superstition. Neither do there“exist among them, the slightest traces
of the art of writing, or of any symbolical mark or character; and
consequently we must ever remain without hope of assistance from
any written record of their past history. Nor are there any where
to be found, the smallest remains of antiquity, a subject which in so
many other countries, offers to the traveller a field for the most
interesting inquiries; but which, nowhere in these regions presents
itself for investigation. But there is one record, their languages,
which if carefully studied and compared with others, might afford
some light by which our reasonings might proceed with safer steps,
than mere surmise guided only by facts of an equivocal nature. The
importance therefore of gaining some insight into language, in the
absence of recorded history or tradition, ought to be deeply impressed
upon the mind of every traveller who visits a nation whose origin is
unknown. Even the smallest gleanings of such knowledge may often
prove highly interesting and useful. s
Quitting for the present, the obscurity of conjecture, it will be
more satisfactory to take a view of the actual state of the Bichuanas ;
and more particularly of the Bachapins.* These nations or tribes,
as far as we are yet acquainted with them, pursue generally the same
mode of life; that 1s, their riches consist chiefly in cattle; they have
each but one town, properly so called; their architecture is circular ;
their arms are hassagays; their clothing is made of the skins of
animals; they wear the kobo f, and their dress is fashioned in the
manner already described {, but the greater part of their body is
uncovered ; the land which they inhabit is the common property of
the whole tribe, as a pasture for their herds; they have no fixed

* See the explanation of these words, at page 303, + See page 350.
t+ At pages 395—398. of Vol. I, and 318. of the present volume.

3x2

532 NAMES OF THE BICHUANA NATIONS.

dwellings, excepting in their towns, all others being merely tem-
porary grazing-stations ; they are often in a state of warfare with each
other, ‘for the sake of plunder, on pretence of mutual retaliation for
past robberies, their real object being always the acquisition of
cattle ; the corn which they cultivate is a species of * Indian millet ;’
their tradings are conducted commonly on the principle of barter ;
beads are the principal medium through which they effect exchanges
of goods; and, they are governed by hereditary chiefs whose autho-
rity is absolute, although more frequently tempered by general
opinion, and still possessing much of a patriarchal nature.

The principal nations of which I could procure any account from
the natives, were;— eastward from Litakun, the TJ'émmékas or
Batémmikas, (Red people) called by the Klaarwater Hottentots,
Roode Kaffers (Red Caffres). Their houses are said to be in part
formed like those of the Koras, and their chief town to be but
small: —the Kojds (Koias) or Lukojds, farther eastward, of which
little is known: —north-eastward, the Bardlongs, consisting of two
divisions, the nearer called Marrtiwonnts under a chief named
Massao, stationed on the Molappo or Maloppo river ; and the farther
division called Mézbu, under Makrakki: —the Nudkketsies, whose
chief-town, larger than Litakun, is situated on a hill and governed
by a chief named Makkaba, whose country produces the copper ore
which is there manufactured: —the Mértitzies, (sometimes called
Miahftzi) in a direction more eastward than the Nuakketsies : — be-
yond these, there is said to be a large river flowing to the southeast-
ward, and very probably discharging its waters into Delagoa bay ;
the river bearing the name of Mdkdtta, and the nation who dwell on
the other side of it, that of Bamdkatta: —the Makwiin or Bamdak-
wiin, said to be a numerous and more civilized tribe with respect to
some few arts, and are the most northerly of whom I could obtain any
intelligence: —the Karrtkarrt or Bakarrikarri, lying far to the west-
ward of these last, and to the northwestward of Litakun; a few of
the more southern part of this tribe, and the whole of the following,
acknowledging Mattivi as their Chief: —and lastly ; the Bamiichdrs
and the Mékdrraquas, who inhabit the town of Patani, and the
neighbouring country to the westward.

POPULATION AND GOVERNMENT OF THE BACHAPINS. 533

Of these Bichuana nations, the Bachépins* constitute one of
the smaller, though not the smallest. In estimating the total popu-
lation of this, it was not possible to compute from any but the most
vague data; and to all my inquiries under this head, I could obtain
no better defined answer than, an assurance that there were as many
Rachapins living at the out-posts or cattle-stations, as at Litakun.
Their numbers, therefore, may be stated at about ten thousand, of
which the males constitute a little less than the half. In this
estimate, the inhabitants of the town of Patani, many of whom are
of Kora descent, are not included, though nominally under the same
chief. The country inhabited by this tribe, may be characterized as
every where flat and open; of a sandy soil; and, (as an African
country,) well supplied with water.

The mode in which the Bachapin government is conducted, and
the history of the tribe, as far as any particulars worth recording are
known, have been sufficiently developed in the course of the pre-
ceding chapters. + By their rule of succession the chief authority
descends from the father to the eldest son. The brothers and other
relations, share this authority in a subordinate degree {; but never
appear to interfere in opposition to the prerogative of absolute
power. This power, however, is moderated and, to a certain degree,
regulated by the opinions of the inferior chieftains or principal men
of property in the community §, who are very frequently called
together by the Chief for advice; but I was given to understand, by
the natives, that even when exerted without control, it is still obeyed
without dispute. Thus, should any sudden emergency require a
warlike expedition to take the field, the Chief commands the inha-
bitants to arm; and immediately every man, or as many as may have
been called upon, is ready to depart and put in execution whatever
orders may have been issued. || I was assured that no instance of

* This word I have sometimes, though rarely, heard pronounced Bakédpin.

+ For some information respecting the poorer class of Bachapins, pages 346, 347,
and 348. are referred to.

t See pages 392. 408. and, 431. § See page 272.

|| See pages 476. and 500.

534 MILITARY FORCE.— MODE OF WARFARE. — WEAPONS.

disobedience, was known. This council or assembly of chieftains, is
called a piicho (peecho).

Of the idea of soldiery, or a body of men trained exclusively to
arms, or of any corps in the’ form of a standing army, they are totally
ignorant. very male in the nation, is accustomed from his youth,
to the use of the hassagay ; and he never leaves his home without
taking one or more of these weapons in his hand. This is a custom
which the life of a Bichuana renders doubly necessary, both for his
personal defence against straggling parties of a hostile tribe, and for
the purpose of killing such game as may chance to come in his way.
Every man is therefore so much a soldier, that all the nation are
equally prepared for warfare, and are equally acquainted with the
mode in which it is conducted. Al! persons capable of throwing the
hassagay, are liable, whenever occasion may require, to be called out
by the Chief and sent on warlike expeditions, whatever may be their
rank or employment: nor is such a requisition ever received but with
ready obedience ; as any hesitation would be, in a superior, highly
disgraceful, and, in an inferior, severely punishable.

Their warfare consists rather in treacherously surprising their
enemy, and in secretly carrying off their cattle, than in open and
courageous attack or in any regular combat. Their stratagems have
in view, rather to fall upon the objects of their hostility during their
sleep, to invade their country unexpectedly, or to out-number them,
than to meet them in open day face to face, or to fight bravely on
equal terms. But if neither honor nor glory, agreeably to European
notions of them, attend these petty wars; neither do streams of
human blood stain their fields of battle: in their humble way, they
boast as much of having killed six men in a single rencounter, as
civilized nations do, of as many thousands,

In their warlike expeditions they usually carry shields of thick
hide from three to four feet long; but during the whole of my
travels in these countries I never saw them in their hands on any
other occasion. Neither have I ever seen them carrying a bow and
arrows ; although they sometimes, yet rarely, are said to obtain these
from the Bushmen by barter with hassagays. But it is probable that

MARKS OF HONOR. —~ PLUNDER. — PRISONERS OF WAR. 535

some arrows of this kind, which I saw in their possession and which
I purchased from them, were gained by the murder of their owners,
or by an attack upon their kraal. And I believe these to be a species:
of weapon, of which they seldom, if ever, make use.

It is regarded as an honor, to have killed a man on such ex-
peditions, by whatever means it may have been affected; and as a
testimony of this, they are allowed to mark their thigh with a long
scar, which is rendered indelible and of a blueish color, by means of
wood ashes rubbed into the fresh wound (p. 478.). I have not un-
frequently seen men with several scars of this kind, and have some-
times counted as many as six: a greater number, however, are said to
be not uncommon. But their principal object being the acquisition
of plunder, more than the destruction of their enemies, they often
succeed in bringing away large herds of cattle: and of these, the
Chief always claims a certain proportion. It is by such means, added
to a lucrative trade in beads with other tribes with whom they may be
at peace, that the Bachapins have greatly enriched themselves in this
species of property.

They sometimes also bring away a few prisoners-of-war: these
are generally retained as servants; and as they in most instances,
fare as well as the lower class of Bachapins and, perhaps, as well
as they would, had they remained in their own country, they do
not, it was said, often take advantage of opportunities for escaping
and returning to their own country: nor could I ever, by any out-
ward appearance, distinguish them from the natives. Such captives
cannot properly be regarded in any other, than in the light of
prisoners-of-war; or if they are to be called slaves, (a term which
must always sound detestable in the ear of every feeling man), they
were not generally considered by their masters as common saleable
property ; and I have heard of several instances, in which they have
been allowed to return home; but whether through the payment of
any ransom, or by voluntary manumission, I was unable to learn.
Muchunka, on being questioned on this subject, assured me, that
they rather endeavour to kill their enemies than take them prisoners ;
but confessed that when children fell into their hands, they were
carried away, and brought up as servants; and that these were

536 SLAVERY.— POLITICAL ALLIANCES.

so far rated as their own property, that they were sometimes, though
rarely, transferred to another master. This was done only when
their captor had a greater number of such servants than he required
or than he had the means of feeding: yet they were never, I believe,
sold to another tribe or nation. Whenever their parents desired to
have their children home again, which often was the case when they
were grown up, their masters never refused giving them up for a
certain ransom, which amounted usually to the value of an ox and a
cow, or a cow and two oxen.

It is true, this practice stands precisely at that critical point
where all which is wanting to ripen it into perfect slave-trade, is the
‘presence of one of those unfeeling Europeans who still continue to
disgrace, not only a civilized nation, but human nature itself; it
hangs on that nice balance, which may with equal facility be turned
either way: and here, the presence of a genuine and philanthropic
missionary might do some real and substantial good, by preach-
ing the doctrine (now apparently in disuse among a great por-
tion of mankind) of ‘ doing unto others, as we would have others do
unto us.’ ;

In their political alliances and friendships, the Bachapins, it
would seem, are an inconstant people, guided only by selfish views
and the prospect of booty. There is scarcely a nation around them,
excepting the Bushmen, with which they have not at different times
been both on friendly terms, and in a state of hostility: one year
joining strength with some neighbouring tribe, to plunder another ;
and the next, perhaps, assisting that which they had robbed, to
plunder their late ally. With the Bushmen, they have never, I was
told, formed any alliance; but cherish always the recollection of the
losses which the Bachapins have sustained from these more successful
robbers, for whom they feel well-founded fear and a natural anti-
pathy. Nor had they at this period, a less antipathy for the Nuak-
ketsies, whom they always described to me, with evident hatred, as
the worst men of the country.

But a traveller visiting any of these nations, will always be
misled, if he depend on any one of them, for the character of the
other. In such misrepresentations, mercantile jealousy is largely

MERCANTILE VISIT TO THE NUAKKETSIES. (537

concerned ; especially with the Bachapins; for, as these obtain from
the Cape Colony beads at first-hand, and at their own price as long
as they prevent a communication with any other tribe, they endea-
vour to deter all visitors from the south, from penetrating farther
beyond them, by representing the natives in that quarter as men of
ferocious habits. .

A short time before my coming into their country, the Bacha-
pins had joined with the Nudkketsies, in an expedition to plunder the
Moritzies. Thus far, they were friends ; and even till a few weeks
before my arrival, as Mokkaba (or Makkaba) their chief, had just
then sent Mattivi a present of several oxen: but since this, some
cause of enmity had arisen; or rather perhaps, a jealousy on the part
of the latter, lest, by having any good opinion of the Nuakketsies,
I might become desirous of visiting their town. A great share of
cautious cunning, therefore, was set to work in filling my ears with
tales fabricated to their discredit ; but these tales were so full of con-
tradictions, that they quite failed in their intended effect. One of
the Klaarwater Hottentots, who, with a party of his countrymen,
had about four or five years before, visited the Nuakketsies, told me
at Litakun, that he and his companions were received there in a
friendly manner, and, having bartered away their beads at a very
profitable rate, were invited to renew their visit and continue the
acquaintance. An English missionary was of this party, and was
equally successful in the object of his journey; that of trading for
ivory.

The Bardlings, though represented to me and my men, by
Mattivi, as a dangerous tribe, were found to be equally friendly ;
and when they were subsequently visited by a missionary named Jan
Kok in company with another missionary, Makrakki their Chief was
exceedingly pleased to see them: but, from the same principle of
mercantile jealousy which had actuated the Bachapins, he objected
to their proceeding on to the next tribe beyond him, whither they
were desirous of going, with a view to further trading.

The story of this visit, as I had it from one of the party, clearly
illustrates what I have before asserted from my own knowledge

VOL. II. 32

538 BICHUANA POLICY.— VISIT TO THE BAROLONGS.

respecting this principle in Bichuana policy. When the chief-town
of the Bachapins was situated on the Kruman river, four. mission-
aries had taken up their abode there under the protection, or, to use
a more correct term, sufferance, of Mulihaban, and having brought
with them from the Colony a flock of about two hundred sheep, and
a large quantity of beads, and judging it possible to barter at a more
profitable rate than it was found practicable to do among that tribe,
they planned a journey farther into the Interior, in consequence of
the favorable reception which the first party just mentioned, had met
with. Mulihaban, through fear of deterring other white-men from
visiting him in future, did not chuse to prevent them by force; but
took steps to frustrate their plan, by representing to them, that cer-
tain danger of their lives would be incurred if they persisted in going
to the Barolongs, and by assuring them of his having heard that
Makrakki would put to death every Colonist who came into his
country. At the same time he sent private information to Makrakki,
that a party of white-men was coming to murder him, and that he
must without delay adopt measures for his safety. |
The consequence of this double-dealing was, that on their first
arrival, Makrakki’s manners towards them, wore a very suspicious
appearance, until the parties came to an explanation and the truth
was at last discovered; Kok, fortunately, being able to speak the
Sichuana language with tolerable fluency. A brisk barter then took
place, and four waggon-loads of ivory were procured at the rate of
a sheep for each tooth. Their beads obtained but the smaller part
of this quantity, because the Barolongs were then more desirous of
collecting a flock of sheep, than of purchasing beads; for which
latter they were not so eager, knowing that they could always, though
at a higher rate, be had from the Bachapins, who on the other hand
were not inclined to part with any of the few sheep which they then
possessed. These were, indeed, procurable from several of the
western tribes of the continent, the Karrikarries, the Namaquas, and
the Dammiras ; but as they are a particular variety having long thin
tails only, the Cape sheep were far preferred on account of their large
tails of pure fat, a substance almost essential to the bodily comfort

THE IVORY-TRADE. 539

of an African. Part of the beads was therefore brought back, as
one party required only sheep, and the other, only ivory ; but many
more elephants’ teeth, as I was informed, might have been obtained,
had the visitors brought with them a greater number of these cattle,
part of their flock having been consumed on the journey.

Mattivi at the present time still continued to follow exactly the
line of policy which his father had drawn, and if all future communi-
cations or trade between the Colony and the more northern nations,
were to be made through the medium of the Bachapins, it is evident
that these would ultimately become more rich, and consequently
more powerful, than any of the other tribes.

I would here wish to awaken some attention to a subject con-
nected with the export trade of the Colony; and therefore deserving
of a more careful examination: I mean that of establishing with the
Bichuana nations, a regulated trade for wory. Having on a former
occasion * confined myself to a mere hint on this subject, among
many others proposed in a point of view more especially suited to
that. occasion, it may, possibly, be not altogether useless now to
present it in a clearer light.

The forests or groves of those countries, as far as hitherto
explored, are known to abound in elephants. Their tusks are
collected by the natives, partly for their own use in making ivory
rings and other ornaments, and partly for barter with a few Hotten-
tots who occasionally visit them for that purpose; but it is yet to be
ascertained, whether the whole of the ivory thus collected by the
Bachapins finds its way into the Colony, or whether any part of it, or
of that which is collected by the more northern nations, moves by
means of barter from one tribe to another, till it ultimately reach
some European settlement or factory, on the eastern or western
coast; or in fine, whether a great portion of that which is annually
produced in the more inland countries, be ever collected at all, or

* « Hints on Emigration,” &c. p. 47. — It has not been thought necessary to incor-
porate with the present work, all which has before been stated in that pamphlet; because
the view which is in that place taken of the various subjects, will be more clearly compre-
hended in the connected form in which it is there presented.

a7 2

540 ON ESTABLISHING WITH THE BICHUANA NATIONS

converted to any use or profit. Enough has been shown in the pre-
ceding account, and which my own knowledge of the prime-cost of
ivory fully corroborates, to prove that the gains in such a trade,
whether on a large, or on a small, scale, would be unusually great ;
for, as sheep in any number may be purchased in the grazing districts
of the Colony, for two rix-dollars * each, it may easily be calculated,
after deducting all the necessary expenses, how large a share of profit
would remain, even supposing that in future the prime-cost should
be doubled, or that beads or other goods of European manufacture
should, instead of sheep, become the medium of purchase. But there
is little doubt that farther in the Interior, or among tribes hitherto
unvisited by traders, the quantity to be obtained would be greater,
and the price, less. The establishment of an authorized body of
traders, or a joint-stock company, would more effectually obviate
those irregularities among the natives, which might possibly ensue
from a competition of speculators having separate interests. Such
traders would constantly bear in mind that fair-dealing with the
natives, would be the only means of ensuring to their speculation, a
continuance of success. By forming themselves into an annual
caravan of eight or ten waggons with the necessary complement of
men, under the direction of a person of discretion, they would be
fully equal to their own protection; and by making the port at
Algoa bay the point of commencement and termination of their
journey, the expenses and duration of the expedition, would be ren-
dered considerably less than if it should be undertaken directly from
Cape Town. And besides which, the route from that bay would be
much more pleasant and convenient both for the traveller and for his
cattle, as it would follow the course of large rivers for the greatest
part of the way, and would pass through no country so deficient in
water, as the Karro and several other parts of my former track to
Klaarwater and Litakun. The arrangements should be so made that

* A Cape rix-dollar, as I have before stated, is equal nominally to four shillings cur-
rency, the real value of which varies, according to the rate of exchange, and is at this
time (1823) less than two shillings sterling.

A REGULAR TRADE FOR IVORY. 541

the traders would not arrive among the Bichuana nations during the
months when their corn is standing on the ground, as no business of
this nature could, agreeably to their customs, be transacted at that
season. A glance at the map will at once point out the most
advisable road: from Uitenhage the caravan should take the direct
road to Graaffreynet ; thence, over the Snow Mountains, and along
the Seacow river, in which district the required number of sheep may
be purchased at the cheapest rate, should the natives still continue to
prefer these to beads: the caravan should then cross to the right
bank of the Nugiariep, along which it should continue to travel till it
reached the Kygiriep; and afterwards following the course of this
river upwards till it fell in with the Hart river, it should keep com-
pany with this latter stream as far as the Kora Kraal of that name;
and from this point, proceeding northward, it would arrive in the
heart of the elephant-country, without communicating with the
inhabitants either of Klaarwater or Litakun, whose jealousy, possibly,
might operate in throwing obstacles in the way of persons whom they
might consider as interfering in a market which they might wish to
render exclusively their own.

The length of the journey here proposed, appears, indeed, to
present some obstacle to an undertaking of this nature; but it may,
with respect to time, be rendered less formidable by stationing a relay
of draught-oxen at one of the farms near to, but not immediately on,
the Colonial boundary: an arrangement which would be equally
beneficial to the caravan either outward or homeward-bound. With
respect to the expense attendant upon so long a journey, it would
seem that the profits of a trade of this kind, would well counterbalance
it; and offer sufficient inducement to put the speculation to the test
of at least one journey. |

The history of geographic knowledge shows us that mercantile
enterprises have, more frequently than any other single cause, opened
the way to a better acquaintance with foreign nations and countries.
They bring men in contact for their mutual advantage, and bind them
in friendship, by the benefits which each derives from the other: they
make nations known to each other, whom no motive besides self-

542 BENEFITS ATTENDANT ON COMMERCE.

interest, would have drawn together; and it may be doubted whether
there exist among the bulk of mankind and among the different
people of the globe, any motive for distant intercourse, so powerful,
and so widely extended as this. That policy which induces a state to
fetter its own commerce by restrictions on that of its neighbour; for
one is the consequence of the other; is narrow and blind indeed, and
built upon a principle which seems better adapted for generating
international jealousy and enmity, than for exciting an honest spirit
of competition by means of greater perfection in manufacture, or
increased exertion of industry.

Although a mercantile expedition to the tribes of the Interior,
may not appear to promise many advantages beyond that of a trade
in ivory, yet it would open the way for men of science and observ-
ation who might sometimes accompany it, to examine the contents
of those regions: and it will hardly be asserted that by such means
we might not discover some source of gain, some stimulus to
adventure, of which our present knowledge of the country may
scarcely be sufficient to enable us to form any just idea. But to ascend
a step higher and take a nobler view; science and general knowledge
might assuredly be benefited, and the cause of philanthropy and
civilization might probably be promoted, by such intercourse.

To return from this digression, to the policy of the Bachapins; it
may be said that they possess none but that which is of the weakest
or lowest kind; and which might be designated, more correctly,
by the name of cunning. They are not insensible of the value of a
friendly connection with the Colony, and always appeared to me to
be desirous of possessing the good opinion of white-men ; in which
light, possibly, we may view their practice of extolling their own
pacific disposition towards us, and of representing every other tribe
as hostile to all strangers. And it is probable that if the intermediate
country, were not inhabited by Bushmen, a race of men whom they
hate and fear, they would frequently visit the Cape, or at least, the
borders of the European settlement.

The Caffres, who have been mentioned in the preceding volume
as having emigrated from their own country on the east of the Great

CAFFRES ON THE GARIEP. —BACHAPIN LAWS. 543

Fish River, which, by passing through the Colony by twos and threes,
without attracting notice, they accomplished some years before, and
established themselves on the Gariep not far below the Asbestos
Mountains, had proved themselves, by the aid of fire-arms, formidable
enemies to the Bachapins, and had, about the year 1805, made an
incursion into their territory and murdered great numbers of the
inhabitants, and carried off large herds of their cattle. On this occa-
sion, the Hottentots at Klaarwater and the missionaries, as they
informed me, joined in remonstrances and threats to the Caffres, and
compelled them to restore the stolen cattle, and conduct themselves
peaceably in future. To this spirited step, the Hottentots were not
only moved by the complaints of the Bachapins who believed, till
assured of the contrary, that it was they who had supplied the
robbers with guns and ammunition, but were equally urged by their
fear of losing the friendship of the people of Litakun, from whom,
in fact, they derived considerable gains by trading; while on the
other hand, the Caffres were both unprofitable and troublesome
neighbours. The interfering on such an occasion, was much to the
credit of the missionaries, and strictly becoming the character of men
who profess a religion the prominent feature of which is peace. It
is sufficient to prove that the utility of a missionary among savages,
is not necessarily confined to preaching.

A short time before the Caffres made this incursion, they had
murdered six of Afrikaaner’s men; by which act they became pos-
sessed of six additional muskets. Thus strengthened they drove the
Bachapins before them, and struck them with a panic which, together
with the fear of an expected attack by Afrikaaner himself, was the
cause of their removing their town from the banks of the Kruman,
farther northward to the spot where it was at this time standing.

Of the particular /aws by which the Bachapins are governed, I shall
say but little ; because, whatever they may be, they are not to be known
correctly but by a long residence among this people, and by the aid
of a better knowledge of their language than I at that time possessed :
and the same remark may, with still greater propriety, be applied to

544 THE LOWER CLASSES. — PUNISHMENTS.

their superstition ; for, of religion, as shown by outward forms of
worship, I saw not the least sign.

With respect to their Jaws and government, as applicable to the
lower class of the nation, they seem to be conducted on a perfectly
despotic principle; such persons being in fact, the unpaid servants
either of the Chief or of the various chieftains, who allow them a
scanty portion of food or milk and leave them to make up the defi-
ciency by hunting or by digging up wild roots. The poor, as my
interpreter informed me, are always kept poor; and if I might judge
by appearances, there are many of that description. Those whom I
supposed to be free or without a master, were always emaciated ; and
this was attributed, I know not with what truth, to a total neglect of
hospitality or charity, even towards their own countrymen. In this
quality they differ most widely from every tribe of the Hottentot
race.

Of crimes not considered capital, the government or Chief,
seldom took cognizance, unless they were committed against himself,
or by his own servants: offences of a.higher kind were, after the ne-
cessary investigation, visited with customary punishment ; but Mattivi,
as I have before remarked, once told me that he always endeavoured
to make peace between the offender and him who has been injured,
and that he felt the greatest disinclination to harsh measures. I will
not venture to assert that this was said through policy and a wish to
appear of a mild disposition before white-men, because his words
were so far supported by facts, that I never witnessed, nor heard of,
any capital punishment or even corporal punishment of any kind,
inflicted during my stay in that country: although these affairs, it-is
true, might easily, from the same policy, have been kept from the
knowledge of myself and all my men.

Of the execution of one criminal, which took place a few weeks
before our arrival, we were informed without reserve. Having, as al-
ready mentioned, secretly slaughtered one of the Chief’s oxen, he was
apprehended and brought to town; where he was shut up in his own
house, and the whole building and the poor wretch consumed

CHARACTER OF THE CHIEF’S AUTHORITY. 545

together, while a party of armed men surrounded it, to prevent his
escape. ‘The unconsumed remains of this fire, were seen by some of
my men, who, being in search of firewood and not knowing the cir-
cumstance, immediately began to pick up the half-burnt. sticks.
Some of the inhabitants, observing this, desired the Hottentots to lay
them down again, informing them that their customs, and perhaps
some superstitious feelings, forbade that any person should make use
of wood which had been employed for such a purpose.

But the most peculiar of their laws, and one which the Chief
was said to be careful to preserve from infraction, is that by which
he claims the breast of every animal, whether tame or wild, killed
by any of his subjects; and, as I have before remarked, the legal
punishment for disobedience to it, is death: but I shall not venture
to assert that this is always inflicted, since no particular instance
of it ever came to my knowledge, although of the existence of this,
as a positive law, I was repeatedly assured.

My observations on the national government of these people, and
on the results of it, have led me to believe that it is conducted with
regularity and according to established law existing in the form of
long-acknowledged customs. It is fully efficient in preserving good
order and strict subordination, and in binding a large population
together into one body obedient to the authority of a single man, a
chief to whom his present power may perhaps have descended
through an undisturbed succession of ancestors ; although their own
traditions will scarcely carry their history back more than two or
three generations.

In the preceding chapters of the journal, the character of the
Chiefs authority is better exemplified by facts, than it could here be
explained by abstract description. Being personally known to,
perhaps, all his subjects, and acknowledged as that individual to
whom naturally, that is, by inheritance, the right of presiding over
the national councils and of directing the public movements of his
countrymen, belongs, he needs no exterior distinctions to point him
out to them, nor has he any necessity for being intrenched with forms
and ceremony to secure to him their respect. It seems therefore,

VOL, Il. 4a

546 ON THE ORIGIN OF

that as long as an independent head of society is personally known
to all who are submitted to his rule, and is approached as an equal
unmarked by outward appearances, his authority bears the genuine
stamp of patriarchy, a form of government from which legitimate
sovereignty has been derived.

By tracing the growth of political society and authority, from
infancy to manhood, we behold, first, the father ruling his family
with a power which he has received from nature; then the patriarch
extending that same power over the distant branches of his family,
uniting by common interest all their scattered members, and exer-
cising a species of authority which is removed but one step from
parental. As society multiplies, so must authority be strengthened
and a power assumed which shall be adequate to the preservation of
the common welfare, and to the compulsion of those members who
would disturb it: thus, the family becomes a tribe, and the father a
chief. At length the numbers of the tribe increase and spread them-
selves over a wide region: the Chief is no longer equal to the task
of taking cognizance personally of every transaction; and a large
part of this multiplied family no longer know their ruler, but by name.
It now becomes necessary to extend his power in the same propor-
tion, to call in assistants, and to delegate to them smaller shares of
his authority ; while he himself, conscious of possessing intrinsically
neither personal nor mental superiority over those by whom he is
surrounded, feels the necessity of investing himself with external
distinction : he adopts forms different from those used by the rest of
the tribe, assumes prerogative, and seats himself on a throne. The
sapling, in its earliest years, while adorned with leaves only, is then
but a weak and slender twig; but as its growth increases, and innu-
merable branches spread widely around, this twig becomes the
mighty trunk to which nature has assigned the duty of dispensing
nutriment and health to every spray and leaf; and when, alas, the
cankered stem ceases to fulfil its office, the oak of centuries, the
proud ornament of the land and the admiration of every traveller,
withers and decays. So, we behold the father and his children,
succeeded by the patriarch and his kinsmen; by the chief and his

THE DIFFERENT FORMS OF GOVERNMENT. 547

tribe ; and finally, by the monarch and his nation: the same parental
authority and affection, the sap of nutriment and health, constituting
the vital essence of a monarch’s, as of a father’s, power.

Besides that authority and mode of government which are
founded on the parental principle, and which both the history of
past ages, and the present state of mankind, seem to pronounce the
most natural, because the most general, there is another mode which,
though more unfrequent, has, under its proper circumstances, the
sanction of a natural principle and of the voice of reason. Orphans
continue together to conduct the affairs of the family for their mutual
benefit ; and small families associate by compact, for mutual pro-
tection. If the republican form of government be not so regularly
derivable from these principles, as the monarchical, from the paternal,
it takes from them, nevertheless, a primary example which Nature
offers for imitation in parallel cases.

If those who have lost their natural parents, orphans by mis-
fortune, agree to appoint one of their number to the management of
their affairs, or if combined families entrust their power to any in-
dividual, whom they may be free to select, retaining at the same
time to themselves a certain share of it and a right of control over
him, a mixed form of government arises, which is sanctioned by a
principle equally just and equally existent in nature.

The authority derived from conquest, though real and often per-
manent, has in the earlier state of society, no example on which to
found its right, but on that of the first robber. So dissimilar is its
nature from that of either of the others, that it stands in direct
opposition to them all: there is but one case in which it is not high
injustice ; and self-protection is the only plea to be brought foisvarl
in its support.

It did not appear that among the Bichuana nations there was any
example of, either the republican, or the mixed, form of govern-
ment; unless the influence of the chieftains in offering their counsel
to the Chief, may be viewed as tending to give it somewhat of the
latter character; a conclusion which his conduct on many occasions,
will not allow me to draw. Neither could I learn that any of the

4a 2

548 THE CAFFRE AND HOTTENTOT RACES.

different chiefs possessed a power obtained purely by conquest ; but
it seemed rather, that weak tribes voluntarily put themselves under
the protection of a stronger, as in the instance of the Bamuchars at
Patani whose numbers were too few to exist as an independent town,
and who have therefore submitted to the authority of the Chief of
the Bachapins their nearest neighbours. In the same manner, those
of the Karrikarries, whose distance from the great body of their own
nation, leaves them almost a neutral and scattered people, acknow-
ledge the Chief of Litakun as their head ; while other borderers of the
same tribe consider themselves as attached to the Barolongs ; nor does
it, in fact, make any difference to their individual condition, whether
they acknowledge their own natural Chief or whether they place
themselves under the protection of any other. The Sichuana lan-
guage, being common to all these different tribes, seems to unite
them into one great nation ; and a change of rulers therefore is, to
them, little more than a change of persons. -
Of the existence of any tribe governed in the forms of a re-
public, I could gain no intelligence; and such is probably not to be
found among the Caffre race. It is a remarkable fact, that while this
race have reached nearly the highest degree, or modification, of
patriarchal authority, the Hottentot race remain every where. at the
lowest ; and, as it has been shown in the preceding parts of this
journal, almost without any head possessed of an actually governing
power, a lawless, wild, and uncontrolled people, living in the sim-
plest and rudest form of human society. On contemplating the
great difference in many respects between these two races, one cannot
but feel a conviction, that there must exist in them some innate and
essential principle to cause so permanent a distinction, and which
proximity of territory and the intercourse of ages, have been unable
to do away or to modify. Every different view of the Hottentot
tribes, whether physically, geographically, or morally, considered,
serves only to strengthen the first impression which they make, that
they constitute an isolated and very distinct race of human beings,
whose locality at the southernmost point of Africa, is a mystery
hitherto unexplained, and the history of whose first existence in the

ON THE DISTINCTION OF RACES OF MEN. 549

Jand which they now occupy, will probably for ever remain unknown,
as one of those many circumstances of the Creation, the incalculably
remote antiquity of which has veiled them, perhaps at the will of the
Creator, with the deepest obscurity. *

The movements and emigrations of man over the surface of the
globe, form a subject of high interest to a reflecting mind; and in
tracing these, we trace the general history of the world. In the
greater number of cases, the only records to which we can refer for
information and guidance, are personal features, language, and ancient
customs. Of these, the two latter are the more usually attended to
by travellers, and frequently, as before remarked, supply the most
valuable evidence ; but the first is certainly not of less importance,
and has been neglected only perhaps on account of the greater dif-
ficulty of obtaining faithful and characteristic national portraits, to
enable us to make comparisons, for the purpose of tracing, or dis-
covering among them, a similar or dissimilar cast of features or of
ascertaining the comparative proportions of form and figure. To
this task, the pen is quite inadequate, and for the performance of it
there remains therefore only the pencil ; not, indeed, the pencil of the
mere picture-maker who, apparently, has no higher object in view
than to please the eye or ornament a book, and whose works,
unfortunately, may too often deserve the name of fraudulent im-

* It is a common opinion that the Colonial portion of the race of Hottentots, is
yearly diminishing in number, and that it is to be feared that in time it will become
extinct within the boundary. How far this opinion is at present supported by fact, may
be seen by consulting the table at page 144 of this volume; by which it appears, that in
the course of the last seven years, that part of the population of, at least one, and the
largest, district, has increased more than a fourth. But it will also be seen, that the
numbers of the Colonists have during the same period been more than doubled ; and it
is this slower supply of Hottentot labor, to the more rapidly increasing demands of the
white population, which has created a scarcity of labourers of this class, and which will
continue to operate, till it will have at length produced so great a disproportion, par-
ticularly on the farms, that necessity will reduce the white population to supply the de-
ficiency from among themselves. It is this proportionate decrease which has probably
given occasion to the supposition, that there has been an actual diminution of the numbers
of the Colonial Hottentots. As far as that opinion respects the district alluded to, it is
certainly erroneous ; and further inquiry into the subject may prove that, if not altogether
incorrect, it is applicable only to the vicinity of Cape Town.

550 SUPERSTITION. — EVIL SPIRIT. — AMULETS.

positions, and serve but to mislead those who, in search of such
information, should draw conclusions from them.

The superstition of the Bachapins, for it cannot be called reli-
gion, is of the weakest and most absurd kind; and, as before re-
marked *, betrays the low state of their intellect. These people
have no outward worship, nor, if one may judge from their never
alluding to them, any private devotions; neither could it be dis-
covered that they possessed any very defined or exalted notion of a
supreme and beneficent Deity, or of a great and first Creator. Those
whom I questioned, asserted that every thing made itself; and
that trees and herbage grew by their own will. Although they do
not worship a good Deity, they fear a bad one, whom they name
Muliimo (Mooléemo), a word which my interpreter translated by the
Dutch word for Devil; and are ready to attribute to his evil dis-
position and power, all which happens contrary to their wishes or
convenience.

How degraded a condition of the human heart, how deplorable
a degree of ignorance of itself and of its final cause, does this pic-
ture exhibit! But it may, perhaps, be more common than we suspect.
Instead of turning with cheerful gratitude towards the Author and
Giver of all good, they forget to be thankful for what they receive,
and think only of what is withheld ; they consider Beneficence as
dormant; and are insensible to the sun which daily shines upon
them, while they behold no active spirit but Malignity, and feel only
the passing storm.

The principal object of their superstition appeared to be this
evil spirit ; whose operations and influence they supposed themselves
able to avert from their own persons and affairs or to direct toward
their enemies, by the most childish observances or by the silliest
beliefs. ‘The representation of an amulet for this purpose to be worn.
round the neck, may be seen in the fifth figure of the 38th vignette.
It is composed of four separate pieces of horn strung together; of
these, the two on the outside are made from the hoofs of one of the

* At page 427.

ABSURD OBSERVANCES. — SORCERY. bol

smaller antelopes, cut to a triangular shape and scored with certain
lines, and the two intermediate pieces which are flat bear on their
edges several notches which are thought to contribute greatly to its
protective and salutary power.

Many of these absurd practices and observances are connected
with, or relate to, the growth of their corn, and are imagined to be
strongly efficacious, in obtaining a plentiful harvest, and even neces-
sary to promote the falling of a due quantity of rain, which otherwise
would not visit their fields. The killing of certain animals during
the time while their corn is growing or standing on the land, is
strictly forbidden by a law which is scrupulously attended to by every
one; and the trading in ivory is under the same restriction. *

The belief in lucky and unlucky omens, is of course, one of
their follies ; and witchcraft, or rather sorcery, (for in this country old
women are not suspected of having any hand in such matters,) occu-
pies a very considerable share of their attention, and forms the
principal article of their creed. A reasonable person would not
easily conceive the inconsistent notions which they entertain on this
subject, or the foolish tales they relate as proofs of the important
and serious part it plays in this land. The death of Mulihaban their
late chief, who, in the month of March had died in reality from the
infirmities of age, was said to have been caused by the sorcery of his
former friend, and late enemy, Makrakki; and so firmly was this
believed by Mattivi and his friends, that it had been resolved to
revenge it by warfare and plunder: the son thus pursuing with
outrage the man whom his father had already injured. This threat,
however, was not put in execution during the time of my travels in |
the Transgariepine. The oxen which the Nuakketsies, as already
related, had sent as a present to the Chief, just before my arrival at
Litakun, were found, according to their judgment, to be, by means
of Mékkaba’s sorcery, completely saturated with evil, for the pur-
pose of causing the death of Mattivi. In order to frustrate the in-
tentions of his adversary, one of these was given as food for my

* See page 481. of the first volume.

552 MORAL CHARACTER. — GOOD ORDER. — SOBRIETY.

people, and the rest were sent to a distant cattle-station for the use
only of his herdsmen.

Without bringing forward every foolish tale and absurd story
which they thought proper to tell me, whether they seriously believed
it or merely did it to amuse or deceive me, their religion may, in
short, be characterized as an inconsistent jumble of superstition and
ignorance, among which no signs were to be discovered of its having
been ever derived from any purer source, or that it was aught else
than the offspring of barbarous and uncultivated minds, in which
some occasional traces of cunning might be perceived.

The moral character of the Bachapins, though in general lamentably
debased, possesses, however, some virtues, and contains some points
for which it may be admired and even held up for more general
imitation. ‘These people are, in common society, exceedingly well
ordered, and conduct themselves with a remarkably careful attention
to decorum in several respects. During the whole of my residence
at their town and in my travels through their country, I never saw
two men openly quarrelling, nor heard them using abusive language
towards each other; neither have I witnessed any of that tribe in a
state of intoxication from drinking. The former may fairly be
viewed as a positive merit; for the observance of this rule, is, in
their estimation, if we may depend on the character which they give
of themselves, the highest proof of being a good man: the latter is
but negative, as they are not sufficiently acquainted with the art of
preparing spirituous liquors, to prove by experiment whether they
can maintain their sobriety with more firmness, than the Hottentots
have done since the introduction of brandy into their country. They
are not altogether ignorant of the effects of fermented drink, as they,
in common with the Hottentots, possess the art of making a beverage
of this kind from honey and water put into a state of fermentation
by the addition of a certain root or by the dregs of a former prepar-
ation. This beverage is called botdlloa by the Bachapins, and is
well known to the Hottentots by the Dutch name of honing-bier
(honey-beer).

Although it has been stated that the Bachapins were never seen

QUARRELS. — WOMEN. — CLEANLINESS. 553

quarrelling, it must from this not be inferred that they never dis-
agree ; for it appears that sometimes, though perhaps rarely, serious
quarrels take place, and that these, not being on subjects personally
affecting the Chief, are mostly terminated by fighting ; as their laws
allow the private wrongs of families or individuals to be settled by
the parties themselves. *

Their women appeared to deserve the character of exemplary
modesty and of the greatest propriety of conduct; as’ far at least as
my own observation and the assurances of others, enable me to give
an opinion. They are said to be almost universally faithful wives ;
and, that they shall be obedient ones, the men have taken sufficient
precaution by establishing a law which permits a husband to put his
wife to death for certain crimes or even for the offence of offering.
him personal violence, should he chuse to declare that she did so
with murderous intention: while, at the same time, he retains for
himself the privilege of committing those same misdemeanours with
impunity. But no instance of such punishments ever came to my
knowledge. To the ear of an Englishman, the assertion, that women
are merely animals or beings of a rank much inferior to man, must
sound truly savage: but this I have more than once heard asserted
by Bachapins ; and hope, for the character of the whole tribe and for
their own character as men, that it was said merely as a joke or for
the purpose of misleading me.

The great attention of the inhabitants of Litakun, to the removal
of every thing unclean or dirty from their dwellings, constitutes a
laudable part of their character, but is counterbalanced by a want of
personal cleanliness : yet the necessity of greasing their bodies, to pro-
tect their skin from the effects of a parching air, may be admitted as
some excuse; and the woolly and, if I may coin a word, uncombable
nature of their hair renders it almost impossible, except by shaving
their head, to free themselves from a disgusting nuisance which gene-
rally extends itself also to their clothing.

Among the vices of this people, a universal disregard for truth

* A similar case has been mentioned in the first volume at page 373.

VOL. II. 4B

554 FALSEHOOD. — BREACH OF PROMISE. — SELFISHNESS.

stands high above the rest. Inferior only to this, is their want of
honorable adherence to their promise. ‘The consequence of this
habitual practice of falsehood, is the absence of shame, even on being
detected.

But the foulest blot on their character, is the indifference with
which murder is viewed among them. It excites little sensation, ex-
cepting in the family of the person who has been murdered; and
brings, it is said, no disgrace upon him who has committed it ; nor
uneasiness excepting the fear of their revenge. Shall we not hesitate
to assert that human nature is superior to the brute creation, when
we find among this people instances of the fact, that the shedding of
human blood, without the pretext of provocation or offence, and
even by the basest treachery, has fixed no infamy upon the perpe-
trator of so awful a crime; and rarely drawn upon him any punish-
ment from the chief authority ; an authority which the Giver of power
entrusts to mortal hands, only for the protection of the weak and
for the common good? Such, at least, are the sentiments which they
express, and such were their replies to my questions on this subject.
But I will be more careful of the character of this tribe, than they
themselves appear to be: I will not add my own testimony against
them; as I cannot give it from my own knowledge of any fact of
this nature. And although I have heard tales, and have read similar
accusations, yet I hope and believe there may be some foundation
for a better opinion of this people, and that, with respect to murder,
the Bachapins are not actually so depraved a race.

Selfishness and deceit are vices which thrive luxuriantly in this
soil; and, like rank weeds, smother and destroy other qualities
deserving of cultivation. Avarice has here also taken root, and
giovels along the ground; but ambition of twofold nature, a virtue
or a vice, a tree of lofty growth, is here unknown. In company with
such characteristics, it cannot be expected that hospitality should
exist, even in sentiment ; for, some color of an excuse for neglecting it
in practice, might occasionally be drawn from poverty or the want
of means ; but here the richest individuals use the same language to
exonerate themselves from this duty, as the poorest ; they all alike

A FRIENDLY CUSTOM. 555

say they are too poor to give. The owner of a hundred cows, after
begging for, and obtaining, a present of tobacco, will, if asked for a
little milk, answer either, Ka kwéna maashe (I have not got any milk),
or Maashi kdato (the milk is all gone).

Yet they have among them a custom, which at first sight has
somewhat of a hospitable appearance ; but which on nearer examin-
ation is discovered to be merely an affair of convenience, and much
resembling in principle that of mercantile friendships, which end in
an even balance of accounts. It obtains only, I believe, between
them and the Klaarwater Hottentots, and consists in the selection
of a particular person as the friend from whom they are to procure
whatever they require. These favors are, either returned in kind,
when the other party makes a journey into the country of him whom
he has thus befriended, or they are repaid at the time with a present
of equal value, if the Hottentot be the party who has received them.
Thus, a Hottentot from that village, when he visits Litakun, which
he never does but for the purpose of barter, goes directly to the
house of his correspondent, whom he calls his maat (a Dutch word
identical with, ‘ mate’) who supplies him with milk and assists him
in making his purchases of oxen or ivory, and even engages to secure,
or collect for him, a quantity of these articles ready at the time of his
next visit. From what has been stated of the selfish character of the
Bachapins, it will readily be supposed that this generosity is not in-
tended as gratuitous, and he does, in fact, receive in tobacco or other
things, what in his estimation is quadruple the value of his trouble,
for on their time, these people set no value. On the other hand, if
the Bachapin visits the Hottentot village, he lives with his < maat’
at. free quarters; besides the advantage of accompanying the latter
from Litakun, on which occasions he himself takes no provisions for
their journey. Iam unable to say whether this be a general custom
between all the Bichuana tribes; but even so far as it has already
been traced, it is sufficiently interesting, as it exhibits the first dawn
of one of the essential principles of international traffic, and shows
us what mercantile agency is in its infancy, or at its birth.

The character of the Bachapins, as it relates to their natural

4B 2

556 NATURAL DISPOSITIONS. — COMPORTMENT.

disposition and temper of mind, will leave on the traveller a less
unpleasing impression than that which he must receive from it when
viewed morally. They appeared to possess a remarkably even temper,
or otherwise, an admirable command over their resentment. I
rarely observed any other expression of displeasure, than a change of
countenance, or a more silent manner, or a thoughtful reserve; and
my own observation alone, would lead me to conclude that vehement
anger is never to be found among them. This conclusion though
not literally correct, may, confidently be taken as a general assertion
very characteristic of the people. This quality cannot here, as in the
Hottentot, be the mere negative effect of apathy ; because these men
are widely distinguished from him, by a great share of animation.
A lively activity keeps them constantly in health, and subdues all
tendency to a melancholic or phlegmatic habit.

Their pleasure and surprise are expressed without the least re-
serve; and perhaps if one of these natives were to be exhibited in
the more polished society of our own country, he would be thought
the most vulgar creature on earth, while the Hottentot would pass
for a man of better breeding. But this part of their character must
be defended from misinterpretation, and it must be declared that I
never witnessed in their country, any of that low disrespectful
boisterous freedom and rudeness which constitute vulgarity, according
to the meaning which we attach to the term: as to the literal import
of the word, no Bachapin is vulgar in manners, whatever some may
be in rank, for as there is no perceptible difference between the
address and behaviour of the Chief and of the lowest of his subjects,
and as the highest personage in a country must be supposed to be so
far remote from vulgarity as to be the best model of its opposite
qualification ; consequently none of this tribe can possibly be called
vulgar in either sense of the word. This was, in reality, the idea
which their presence and manners always gave me; and a manly con-
fidence combined with respect untainted with servility, raised them
equally in the scale of society, and in my opinion.

They possess a considerable share of good-nature, and a readiness
to render any assistance which personal service can give. The former

CONVERSATION. — POLITENESS. — INDUSTRY. 557

I believe to be a genuine expression of their sentiments ; but I may
not assert that the latter always proceeds from a disinterested motive.

They are fond of conversation ; and in this manner spend much
of their time. They rarely meet each other without stopping to
chat; and in travelling about the country, they will go a long walk
out of their way, to see another for the purpose of inquiring, and
communicating, news. In listening to a person who is relating what
he has seen or done, they attend to him without offering any inter-
ruption, unless it be to assent to his narration, by occasionally in-
troducing the word Hé (ay), meaning ‘ yes,’ or by sometimes repeat-
ing the last word or two of a sentence. This is a natural mode of
politely showing that they are listening to the speaker. Many facts
may be noticed among wild unlettered nations, which prove that
true politeness and complaisance are natural perfections, and not arti-
ficial acquirements ; and that rudeness and coarse behaviour are not
necessarily the accompaniments of an uneducated mind, but rather
the manifestations of a depraved one. The semblance of politeness
is nothing more than a tribute which some men pay to the real image,
as an acknowledgement to virtue.

The Bachapins are active, and, when occasion may require, never
shrink from the fatigue of a long journey. They are far from being
slothful, although they have in fact, allotted several of the more
laborious duties to the women: but they have retained for themselves
all those which are the most active. A man’s merit is estimated
principally by his industry, and the words ménénd usindaché (an in-
dustrious man) are an expression of high approbation and praise:
while he who is seldom seen to hunt, to prepare skins for clothing,
or to sew koboes, is accounted a worthless and disgraceful member
of society. From their earliest youth, every individual in the nation,
without distinction, is trained to all those occupations which are re-
garded as befitting aman; and therefore, the business of tending their
cattle, forms the usual duty of the boys, with the assistance, and under
the superintendance, of a few men at each cattle-station. Filial obedi-
ence is strenuously enforced; and fathers were said to take especial
care that they would never spoil their sons by sparing the stick.

558 DISLIKE TO RAIN.— WANT OF TRUE COURAGE.

They are exceedingly careful to avoid exposing themselves to
the rain; as wet injures the leather of their cloaks, and occasions
them much additional trouble in rubbing it continually to prevent its
becoming hard in drying. However desirous and anxious they may
be for showers during the time while their corn is growing, they
seemed to have a strong natural dislike to be themselves wetted by a
shower: the sensation of rain beating on the skin, is said to be dis-
agreeable, and this, added to the consideration that every part of
their clothing is of leather, may be sufficient to explain the haste with
which at such times they run to shelter, and the reluctance with which
they quit it, excepting in dry weather. Some portion of this dislike
may be attributable to constitutional feeling, which, in a country
where the ordinary state of the atmosphere is excessive aridity, must
be very different from that of the inhabitants of England, where it
is exactly the reverse.

Considered generally, they are a timid race of men; but to
remedy this defect, they adopt stratagem ; yet no experience or know-
ledge of my own would justify me in giving them the character of
being treacherous as a nation: I have not, however, equal hesitation
in giving them that of gaining their private ends, by cunning and
bad-faith. True courage, one may be inclined to believe, is but
thinly sprinkled over this land; and the whole tribe would probably
fly with precipitation, before a handful of brave and resolute men:
or, if they ventured to attack these, it would only be by night, or
from an ambuscade.

However defective or perverted their judgment may be on many
subjects, they are to be admired for the candour with which they
freely own that white-men are greatly their superiors, not only in
arts and customs, but even in mental capacity: and we must confess
that in this acknowledgment they are greatly our superiors in good-
sense, and deserve in this particular point, to be respected and
imitated by those European nations whose arrogance or blindness
makes them imagine that the inhabitants of no other country are equal -
to themselves. Such Europeans who despise the humble example
of these Africans, may yet be taught one lesson of humility ;

THEIR OPINION OF EUROPEANS.— MENTAL CAPACITY. 559

and, by turning their view to some Asiatic nations, may be made to
confess that in vanity and arrogance, they are there out-done.
White-men are called maékwd mdshtii; which appears to be a
literal translation of the English word, if I may thus venture a con-
jectural explanation. The first man whom the Bachapins ever saw
wearing the European dress, were some Colonial Hottentots, who
about twenty years before the date of my visit, began to find their
way into this country, and to whom the first discovery of the Briquas
(Bachapins) is attributed. * These latter, adopting then, according
to this supposition, the Hottentot term qua or kwa, for ‘ men,’ and
adding their own prefix md, called their new visitors makwé: but
afterwards, finding that another nation also wore the European
clothing, who differed widely from these ‘ makwa’ by the white color
of their skin, they distinguished these second ‘ makwas’ by the word
shu (white), adding to this also, as the proper idiom of their lan-
guage requires, the prefix ma; thus forming the term makwé-mashi.
Of the mental capacity of the Bachapins, I have given an ex-
ample when explaining my method of gaining some knowledge of
their language t; but this is, perhaps, the most unfavorable speci-
men; and in many affairs, connected with their own mode of life,
where necessity has gradually developed the faculty of reflection,
they exhibit considerable shrewdness. In forming our judgment
respecting the degree of intellectual power which may exist in men
of uncivilized habits and untutored minds, we must not pronounce
absolutely on the evidence before us, but must endeavour to imagine
what it would be capable of effecting by due care and cultivation.
The Bachapins are unable, or seldom make an attempt by words,
to numerate above ten, which they call sémi { (soomy) ; and denomi-

* The name of Briqua occurring in Sparrman’s map, proves that the existence of
this tribe, was known at least by name, so early as forty years before; and the word
Houswana in Le Vaillant’s, ten years afterwards, is most probably intended for Muchudna
or the same people (see the note at page 303.): but in both maps they are placed not
far from the western coast, very distant from their true situation, and where, it is said, no
Briquas or Muchuanas have ever resided.

+ See page 295.

+ Sometimes pronounced shim.

560 MEMORY. — POSSIBILITY OF CIVILIZATION.

nate any greater number by the term intzi-tnizi or intstntsi ; or an
unusually great number, by the expression intstntsi listim (a great
many tens). In reckoning the number of a large herd of cattle, they
separate them into tens, and thus gain a more distinct notion: but in
ascertaining whether any be missing from a herd with which they
are acquainted, they depend, as they say, solely on their knowledge
of the colors, particular spots, size and countenance, of each animal.
This last method proves their great strength of memory *, as well as
some mental perception, when necessity forces them to use it: and al-
though this latter faculty may not be found equally strong when applied
to other purposes more unusual in their mode of life, yet the fact
plainly shows that it needs only a different education to bring it into
action on many other occasions where at present it appears lament-
ably feeble.

There is little doubt that, small as this power may at present
appear, it will admit of an extension much beyond its present
bounds, although it be an experiment which hitherto has never been
tried. With this view it would be highly interesting to make the
trial, by bringing half a dozen, or more, boys of this nation, to
England, to be educated in useful learning and instructed in those
arts which might be most likely to contribute to the civilization or
improvement of their countrymen at their return. In this manner
they would by mutual conversation with each other while in Europe,
preserve the knowledge of their own language while they were acquir-
ing ours, and at the same time would give us a favorable opportunity
of examining theirs, and of reducing it to a regular written form by
which they might be enabled to record useful information and, under
the care and assistance of some liberal-minded and sensible European,
communicate to the youth of their own country the civilizing in-
fluence of letters.

When I speak of civilizing the native tribes of Southern Africa,
I mean not to be understood as asserting that their minds are suscep- ©
tible of a very high polish, or as being very confident that they are

* See page 373 of the present volume.

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FIGURE AND FEATURES OF THE BACHAPINS. 561

naturally capable of the higher branches of human knowledge. For,
without any example before us, of a nation of blacks who have risen
to the higher degrees of civilization, such a presumption would be
utterly groundless: it can therefore, at present, rest only on the
wishes of the philanthropist.. But, that they may be rendered better
and more reasonable men, by the introduction of a purer system of
morality than that which they are now following, is an assertion
which may be made, without the least hesitation.

The Bachapins are men of well-proportioned jigure, and gene-
rally of the height of six feet; but many are met with of shorter
stature, and a considerable number are taller. Though they have
the appearance of being robust, yet they possess much less muscular
power than Europeans. As they always travel on foot, and thus
increase the strength of those muscles which are used in walking,
they are able to perform very long journeys with comparatively
little fatigue ; and from the same cause, they have acquired by con-
stant practice, the power of throwing the hassagay with some force ;
but in all other modes of exertion they evince a weakness which
the form of their limbs would not seem to indicate. To a traveller
who has been first accustomed to see the small and delicate hands
and feet of the Hottentots and Bushmen, those of the Bachapins
appear to be large. Though the hand is nearly of European pro-
portion, the feet are, from walking oftener without sandals than with
them, larger and generally very coarse. j

The Bachapin whose portrait is given in the tenth plate *, was

* The tenth plate is the portrait and figure of Chaas?, a Bachapin of the richer class.
The whole of these portraits, as here engraved, were completed from the life, without pre-
suming to embellish them by additional decoration, or improvement of any kind. This
drawing was made at a place which I have distinguished on the map as my Garden, where
Chaasi accidentally visited me. It was my custom, as before mentioned, to pay in tobacco,
those who allowed me to draw their likeness; and as this man’s szbbdta (snuff-bag) was not
large enough to hold the quantity given to him, he tied the remainder up in a knot at the
corner of his kobo. It was necessary to mention this circumstance, in order that the knot
might not be viewed as the usual form of the cloak. For the same reason, it must be ex-
plained that the kobo is not always worn in front, as it is here represented: but in walk-
ing, it is a very common practice to place it so that it may protect them either from the

VOL. II. 4¢

562 PROPORTIONS OF THE HEAD AND FEATURES.

selected from among his countrymen, as exhibiting a fair specimen
of the national character, with respect to figure and cast of features.
A number of other portraits, which were taken during my residence
at; Litakun, were drawn for the purpose of showing every variety of
countenance and feature, and among them are several which differ
much from that plate: some having more resemblance to the Guinea
Negro, and others, on the contrary, to the Hottentot or Kora, with
whom there frequently exists a real consanguinity ; which latter re-
semblance may be seen in the eighth plate. The head of Boklookwé
at page 433. shows the change which Bachapin features undergo
from age: and the two at page 529. are given as a representation of
a fanciful mode in which the young men often cut their hair. They
have not the excessively flat and dilated nose and the very thick lips
of the Negro of Guinea; although examples more or less approach-
ing towards them, may often be seen: nor have they the remarkably
pointed chin or narrowness of the lower part of the face, which
distinguishes the Hottentot race. In figure they are much more
robust than the latter.

While drawing many of these portraits, 1 was much struck with
the little agreement which their proportions have with those of a
European head. The relative position or distances of several features,
differed often in a most remarkable degree; and the head of Mol-
lémmi would set all the rules of the art at defiance. In this occu-
pation it appeared that nothing could be done but most scrupulously
to copy the subject, even in those parts which a portrait-painter
does not consider necessary to be done from life: but a traveller
must, whether he would copy figures or landscapes, adopt more rigid
rules, and unless he throw aside all European ‘ manner,’ and cease to
indulge in those licences which custom seems sometimes to tolerate

sun or the wind. ‘The stick or club in his hand is called in the Sichuana language,
a mullému: by constant practice, these men have acquired the power of throwing it
with great precision; and frequently kill the smaller animals, such as hares and weasels,
which they occasionally surprise in the plains. The upper part of his head was thickly
covered with szbiilo ; but the lower hair was left in its natural state, and is here engraved
in a manner which will give a correct idea of its short woolly appearance.

ee ne

FEMALE CHARACTER, FIGURE, AND DRESS. 563

in the professed artist, it is impossible that his drawings can fulfil the
purpose which he may be supposed to have in view ; that of bringing
home faithful representations of what he has seen, whether as memo-
rials for his own gratification, or for the information of his friends,
or for the use of the public; the object of the ‘artist’ being rather
to display his talents in the art, by producing a pleasing picture.
The former considers the art as the means of exhibiting nature, and
of conveying information: the latter regards nature as the medium
through which he may display his art, and afford amusement.

The women are in figure very different from the men, and exhibit
little or no beauty of proportion or form. Besides their great in-
feriority in stature, the inelegant manner, excepting the kobo,
in which they are clothed, adds much to the clumsiness of their
shape; and those of the shorter size, resemble a mere bundle of
skins.

They wear the same dress as the Hottentots*; but call the
‘ fore-apron, by the names of makkaabi or moteeno (motayno), and
the ‘hinder apron,’ by that of museest (moosaysy). Their legs,
from the foot to calf, are most commonly covered with thick leathern
rings, not indeed for ornament, as they give their legs a most clumsy
appearance, but for defence against thorny bushes, and similar
obstructions, which they almost every where meet with in walking
over the plains.

They seemed to possess a full share of good-nature and a kind
disposition. In their youth they are lively; but as they advance in
years, the laborious duties of their station, and the complete submis-
sion which it demands, render them sedate and careful. I remarked
nothing in which theirs differed from the general female character of
other nations ; a milder temper than the other sex, a greater inclin-
ation to domestic employment, and an affectionate care for their
infants, were as visible here as in a civilized land. It would appear
that the female character, independently of the influence of education,
is less distinguished by national differences, than that of the male:

* The Hottentot dress has been described in the first volume, at page 395.
Bato 7)

564 WOMEN AND THEIR EMPLOYMENTS.— MARRIAGES.

the range and variety of its occupations being naturally more circum-
scribed, it continues nearly in the same state, because the situations
in which it is placed, have many circumstances in common with all
the rest of the world. Often, when in the presence of a crowd of
these poor African women, one might be led to fancy that they were
not so very far below the uneducated peasantry of Europe, as the
term ‘ savages’ induces us to suppose; and this, certainly, would
not altogether be an imaginary feeling: for, surrounded by a crowd of
men, one could not, for a moment, forget that we were in the midst
of a nation differing extremely from our own; but on turning to
hear the conversation and remarks of the women, we might seem, in
an instant, to have travelled several thousand miles nearer to Europe,
and to feel less sensibly the impression of being in a strange land.

In public the women do not much associate with the other sex,
their occupations being distinct: the men employing themselves in
the chase; in warfare or plundering; preparing leather; sewing
clothes, even those for the women ; making various implements, such
as hatchets, knives, and all similar articles; milking; in attending
cattle ; and in all work in which oxen are used: — while the women
build the houses ; plant and reap the corn; fetch water and fuel;
and cook the food. It is very rarely that the men are seen helping
the women, even in the most laborious work. It must not however
be inferred from these remarks that they are deficient in mutual
affection; that would be too unnatural to be probable; but their
affection towards each other, if a stranger may give any opinion,
appeared to possess little of a refined character.

Nor is this to be wondered at, when most of their marriages are
formed without consulting the inclinations of the intended wife. In
many cases the girls are betrothed while yet but children; the
bargain is made with the parents, and to them the price is paid: for
she is in reality sold; and on this account, the husband considers her
generally as a servant whom he has bought to build his house and
cook his food. There is little difference between such a wife and a
domestic slave. Though the girl should have arrived at a marriage-
able age before a husband appear, yet even then she is purchased of

PRICE OF A WIFE.— PERSONAL BEAUTY. 565

the parents ; whose consent or refusal is of more importance to the
match, than the approbation or disapprobation of the daughter. Ten
oxen is accounted a high price for a wife: but judging from the
poverty of the greater number of Bachapins, the average value may
be rated as below five ; and as there are few of the lower class who
possess more than the cloak which covers them, their wife would be
too dear, if she cost only a goat. According to the information I
obtained, there were scarcely a dozen men among the whole tribe,
who were not married: nor can this appear an extraordinary circum-
stance, but to those who have been born in a civilized country, where
the artificial state of society renders that union an affair of the head
rather than of the heart, and where calculating prudence often steps
forward to forbid it altogether. Here the poorer class do not stop to
consider whether their wages will enable them to support a wife and
family; nor does any of the richer wait till he have accumulated
more property and increased the number of his herd to that of his
neighbour’s. On this point the savage stands superior, and here he
seems, according to the law of Nature, wiser than the polished
inhabitant of a more civilized land.

If the marriages of this tribe be attended with any special cere-
mony, this is altogether unknown to me: I never could learn that
any particular form took place, as necessary to confirm the matri-
monial contract, and render it legal; nor do I believe that any
further arrangements are required, than those which have just been
stated.

Those women who are of pure Bachapin descent, have very little
personal beauty ; and all that can in general be said, is, that in their
youth their features are not unpleasing. Those of Kora descent
might, perhaps, sometimes be thought tolerably pretty at that age ;
and in more advanced years they often preserve a better appearance
than the others; as may be observed in the eighth plate. The
number of Bachapins who have taken wives from among the Koras,
is not small. This seems to be a prevailing custom, with that class
who can afford to purchase them; while at the same time the Kora

566 VANITY. — PERSONAL DECORATION.

parents prefer foreign husbands for their daughters, because the
Bachapins pay them ten oxen, which is more than they can obtain in
their own tribe. On the other hand, the Koras, as if to counter-
balance this irregularity, are equally unpatriotic in their choice, and
often select their wives from among the Bachapins.

It may be said that vanity is to be found even at Litakun, and
that it follows the same general rule as in other countries, and in
most instances holds in direct proportion to the gifts of Nature in
personal endowments. I have often been amused at the various
effects produced on a party of young women, by my looking-glass ;
those who were pretty continued for some length of time viewing
themselves with a smiling air, while those of a different complexion
returned the glass after the first glance, and were unable to prevent
their countenance from betraying disappointment.

But all feel that universal desire for personal decoration, which
is not only natural to the sex, but the total absence of which,
more especially in youth, may even be considered as an indica-
tion of a wandering from the usual track. They sometimes,
when desirous of exhibiting their beauty in its most attractive light,
adorn themselves on the cheeks, the forehead, or the nose, with
streaks of red ochre mixed up with grease. This piece of coquetry
may gain the admiration of their own countrymen ; but it would
have a very different effect upon a European, who would view it as
the most absurd disfigurement which could be devised.

They are fond of wearing some ornament in their ears: that which
is in most general use, is the manjéna (manyana) or ear-drop, a small
pendant made of copper wire, and of the form and size represented on
the opposite page, by the two outermost figures. It consists of a thin
wire very neatly wound about another of larger dimensions and
terminated by a small knob formed by a piece of copper hammered
round the end; the upper part being bent into a ring by which it is
fastened to the ear, in the manner shown by the 7th plate. They
are not always worn in both ears at the same time: sometimes as
many as six are appended; and most frequently more than one.

NECKLACE. — EAR-ORNAMENTS. — BRACELETS. 567

These and most other personal ornaments, excepting the ostrich-
shell girdle * for the women, and the lekéaka for the men, are worn
equally by both sexes.

The place of the manjéna is often supplied by a ¢dllimda or
button, either of metal or of wood; or even by a piece of stick or
a reed.

The upper figure of the above engraving represents, in its proper
size, part of a necklace formed of small bits of wood very seal cut
to fit and cross each other alternately.

Another very common ornament is the liséeka + (lisayka) or
copper bracelet; which exhibits considerable ingenuity, and skill in
workmanship: but neither these, nor any other ornaments made of
copper, are the work of the Bachapins. They are manufactured by
some of the more northern tribes; particularly by the Baméikwins
(Bamakwéens) and Moritzis (Morootzies), in whose country that

* Described in the first volume, at page 396. + Or mdshéeka.

568 BRACELETS. — COPPER-ORE.

metal is said to be so abundant that a sufficiency for their constant
consumption may be collected on the surface without the labor of
mining.*

These bracelets are perfectly pliable; and the manner in which
they are rendered so, and the neatness of the work, prove that those
tribes have attained some skill in the working of metals. They may
be considered as a ring of hair covered with copper wire. This wire
is of their own manufacture: the hair employed, is taken from the
tails of the kokin, of the giraffe, or of other animals affording thick
and long hairs. The four lower figures of the engraving in the pre-
ceding page, represent, of their proper thickness, a part of four
different bracelets; for the purpose of showing, not only their
structure, but their different varieties. That on the right, is the
plainest and most common sort: the two intermediate bracelets are
made in the same manner, but with the addition of small rings, (such
as are represented separately,) fixed on at intervals: the one on the
left is the least common, as it evidently cost more trouble in making,
being formed entirely of such rings fastened on separately. These
rings are in fact but short bits of copper bent into that form, and the —
ends skilfully hammered together: from which it may be concluded
that they are unacquainted with the art of soldering ; nor did I ever
see among the natives any example of this art. These bracelets are
so favorite an ornament that the wrist is frequently covered with
them. The same, but larger, are sometimes worn above the elbow ;
and by some they are worn under the knee.

Beads, which they call sikhaka, are, it is scarcely necessary to
repeat, worn in profusion by both sexes, in the manner either of

* To the mineralogist it may be interesting to remark that the Bamikwiin and
Moritzi countries, and the Koperbergen in Little Namaqua-land, are the only places in
the extratropical part of Southern Africa, where copper has, as yet, been found, although its
existence in other places, is notimprobable. It is said, perhaps with some exaggeration, to
be so abundant about the Koperbergen (Copper-mountains), that it lies on the surface of the
earth in the form of loose lumps of ore; and judging from a specimen in my possession,
this ore appears to be sufficiently rich in metal to deserve more attention than it has
hitherto received. The subject is, at least, worth some investigation.

SINGULAR MODE OF ADJUSTING THE HAIR. 569

bracelets, or of girdles, or of necklaces ; although a large proportion
of the inhabitants are too poor to afford themselves this decoration ;
which thus becomes in some degree a mark of distinction. The
favorite colors at this time, were, as already noticed, black, white, and
light-blue ; and the size, between an eighth and a quarter of an inch
in diameter. Other colors and sizes, were also worn; and a sort
variegated with lines or spots of a different color, and but little less
than half an inch in diameter, were much admired. Besides the
common porcelain beads of European manufacture, iron or copper
beads are much worn, though less esteemed. These are made by the
same tribes and in the same manner, as the small rings just described.
Plain rings of brass or copper, are frequently to be seen on their
fingers: this ornament is called mitsdénna.

But the most remarkable peculiarity of a Bachapin woman, is
the mode in which she dresses her hair. The appearance and form
of it, may be seen in the 7th and 8th plates. The hair in its natural
state * is so excessively woolly that it never forms itself into locks,
unless it be left to grow for a great length of time and clotted
together with grease or dirt.+ It can therefore be only by much
pains and continual care, that the women bring their hair into so
singular a state. They form it into innumerable threads of the size
of thin twine, which, hanging in equal quantity all round the head,
have the appearance of being fastened at their upper ends to the
centre of the crown; while their lower ends, being all of an even
length, are never allowed to descend lower than the top of the ear.
These threads, being well powdered with sibilo which adheres to them
by the assistance of grease, continue perfectly loose and separate
from each other. The weight which they derive from this mineral,
keeps them always in a perpendicular position, and so exactly parallel,
that the head seems to be covered, rather with something artificial in
the form of a cap or small bonnet, than with any thing which naturally
belongs to it. It is only when the wearer walks or makes a sudden

* Which may be seen in the portrait of Chaasz ; plate 10.
+ Such as may be seen in the portrait of Bokldokwe, at page 433.

ViOle Tis 4p

570 DRESS OF THE MEN. — SANDALS.

motion, that these threads are seen to separate; but on the person
standing still, they immediately resume their proper place, and are
hardly ever observed out of order. Women of the poorest class, or
those who care little about personal decoration, do not wear their
hair dressed in this manner ; but all the rest follow this as the general
fashion.

The usual dress of the men consists of no more than three
articles — the kébo, the piikéje, and the lichédaku: to which may
sometimes be added, the khiru.

The kobo, or cloak, is of two sorts, which have already been
generally described *; and a reference to the different plates of this
volume, will give a complete idea of all its varieties: sometimes in
very hot weather, a small leopard-skin is worn instead of the larger
kinds. Some account of the various skins of which it is made, and
of the mode of sewing them together, will be found in the following
pages.

The pukojé (pookoye) or, ‘ jackal’ requires no further descrip-
tion in this place t, as its form or size never vary. Sometimes one
of the corners by which it is tied, is lengthened by a cord which is
allowed to hang over one hip as low as the knee and is ornamented
at the end with a few large beads.

The lichdaku (lecharkoo) or sandals, have been mentioned be-
fore {; and by the representation of them at page 380 §, it will not
be difficult to comprehend the manner in which they are made.
The soles consist of a single piece of thick hide, generally that of

* At page 350.

+ The pitkdjé, ptikdli, or pitkdéghé, has been described at page 318.

{ At page 398. and in the note at page 459. of Vol. I.

§ That engraving shows the upper and under sides of two pairs of sandals of different
makes. In the figure on the right, the leathern straps pass between the great toe and the
next: in that on the left, they are intended to pass over all the toes. The two small
intermediate figures are given for the purpose of showing the manner in which the strap,
which is of a single piece, passes over the foot, (in the figure on the left), and is fastened
to the two transverse straps which are fixed to the sole. The upper, of these two figures,
shows the end of one of the transverse straps; and the lower, the form which the other
strap takes when fixed intoit. Their appearance on the foot may be seen in the engraving
at page 291., and in the ninth plate of the first volume.

IVORY BRACELETS. 571

the ox; and the straps, of that of some antelope. These soles are
always much larger than the feet, especially in the fore part, for the
purpose of guarding them from the grass and bushes, or, perhaps, of
giving a firmer step on loose sands. Unless when the nature of the
ground or of the country require them to use such protection, these
people more frequently go barefooted, even the chieftains, and the
chief himself:

The khiru (khooroo) is merely a cap of fur or leather, made to
fit close to the head: it is of no constant or particular make ; nor is it
worn by the greater number.

Ivory rings, such as the two upper figures here represent, are
worn round the wrist, or above the elbow, by men of the richer order :

|__|_____|_____| 3 Inches

sometimes more than one are seen ; but whether these be any peculiar

mark of rank or distinction, or whether the wearing of them depend

only upon the persons ability to purchase them, is a question which

my information does not enable me to determine; but there is little

doubt that here, as in other countries, many signs by which the

higher classes of society are distinguished at first sight, as dress or
4p 2

572 THE PLATTED BRACELET.— THE EAR-PLATE.

equipage, are to be regarded merely as a display of their riches.
The poorer Bachapins were more frequently without any personal
decoration whatever.

Of these two rings, the figure on the right, was taken from one
which was presented to me by Mollemmi, the last time I saw him, and
two months after I finally left Litakun. He took it off his arm at
the moment of parting, and delivered it to me as a proof of his friend-
ship. It is the only thing of the kind which, during my travels
among the Bichuanas, I ever received gratuitously.

The platted bracelet, shown by the middle figure, is made of the
entrails and sinews of animals, or more rarely of bark. It is
decorated with copper or porcelain beads, and, when new, has a large
appendage formed by the loose ends of the plat hanging together in
a long bunch which in time becomes much clotted by the accumu-
lation of grease and red ochre, or sibilo.

Amulets of various forms hang constantly round the neck of
those who have faith in them, or who feel a necessity for their pro-
tection ; but many persons are seen without any thing of the kind.
The lower figure on the right represents one which has already been
described at page 550.

The opposite figure on the left is that of the makkde (makkéw)
or dancing-rattles, which are worn round the ankles during the time
of dancing ; but I never on any occasion saw them made use of: in
their nature and effect they do not differ from those used by the
Bushmen and described at page 65. Each separate pod, which
appears to be formed of skin, contains usually a few small pieces of
the shell of an ostrich-egg, or little pebbles.

The dekdaka (lakarkar) or ear-plate, is a thin plate of copper sus-
pended from the ear in the manner shown by the engraving at
page 433., where it is represented nearly of the largest proportion.
Its weight is considerable, which, with its size, would render it
a most inconvenient ornament to any person who had not heen
gradually accustomed to wear heavy substances in that part. It is
suspended by means of a short piece of stick passing through the lobe
of the ear, and to which stick it is fastened with strong gum or wax.

YOUNG MEN OF FASHION. 573

It is made of various sizes between two and five inches in length, and
was observed to be worn only by men of the richer order ; but never
by women.

Tallima or buttons, whether of European, or of Bichuana,
manufacture, are much esteemed; and those which are quite plain,
are preferred to such as bear any stamped figure. They are employed
in a variety of ways, as ornaments; but never, as fastenings for their
clothing: for this purpose, they find small thongs of goat-leather
more useful, and more secure.

Various parts of animals are viewed as ornamental; and hares’
tails appeared to be regarded as a great decoration to the head; and
the bladder of that, or of some small quadruped was often to be seen
affixed to the hair. Of these latter there were most commonly more
than one; and sometimes six or more, were appended. Hair from
the mane or the tail of the kokung, was often placed as a crest upon
the crown of the head: and the tail of the kaama, or that of the
Crescent-horned Antelope, with the hairs spread out and pressed flat,
formed a very usual, and much admired, appendage to their leathern
cloaks, in the manner shown by the engraving at page 529.; in
which, and in plate 10., may be seen a very common practice of
ornamenting the edge of such cloaks with small holes.

Young men, especially those of the richer class, are not without
a desire of exhibiting themselves to the greatest advantage, and
sometimes an affectation of peculiarity in dress or decoration, points
out the aspiring youth of haut-ton. The two figures at the
beginning of this chapter, represent the heads of two ‘dandies’ of
Litakun. Their hair had lately been cut, and doubtlessly in the
newest and most admired fashion. In that on the right, the lower
part of the back of the head had been shaved, or rather, scraped,
bare; and two parallel and curved lines, also scraped bare, sur-
rounded the head, and at their meeting behind, formed an angle:
while the rest of the hair was left in its natural state, thick and
woolly. They say that this operation of scraping is attended with
pain, and I readily believed them when I saw the instrument with
which it was performed ; a small piece of iron sharpened at the end

574 HAIR-CUTTING. — COLOR OF THE SKIN.

like a chissel, but with an edge not keener than an ordinary knife.
These bald lines, which might be compared to a path-way mowed
through a field of corn, were sometimes single ; and some of these
fashionable young Africans were observed having the whole of the
head scraped bald, excepting a small patch on the top. In the figure
on the left, the lower part of the hair is also scraped away; but
instead of those bare lines, the fancy of the wearer led him to
distinguish himself in a manner which he thought more becoming,
by allowing a tuft of hair at the back of the head, to grow as long as
possible. This latter was a fashion followed also by Mattivi, who, in
addition, covered the top of his head with a profusion of grease and
sibilo. Some, instead of sibilo, protect their head by a khiru or cap
either of fur or plain leather; but as this piece of dress is not com-
mon, there are very few who are not at all times both bareheaded
and barefooted. Some of the young men display their taste by
wearing very large ivory-beads round the ankle.

Many of the chieftains, and others of that class, when not armed,
carry a stick about five feet long and of the same size as the shafts
of their hassagays. This they call a tsémmé*, which implies a
‘ walking-stick,’ though it is merely carried in the hand, and never
used as a support or assistance in walking: from being so much
accustomed to the hassagay, they take the tsamma probably with no
other view than to avoid being empty-handed.

The true color of their skin, which is black though considerably
lighter than that of the Guinea negro, is so universally disguised by red
ochre or sibilo, as more fully has been explained on a former occasion
(page 256.), that a Bachapin in his natural color, is a rare sight. It
is in the dry season of the year, that they most adorn themselves
with sibilo, as rain is considered inimical to its beauty; though in
reality this substance is used, but in a somewhat less quantity, at all
seasons.

Several useful articles are carried about them as constant

* The word ¢sémmd means also ‘ to walk’ ‘ to go away’ or ‘ to depart.’

KNIVES. — METALS. 575

appendages, and are always hung round the neck. Of these the tipa
(téepar) or knife, is the most common and the most indispensable.
The first or uppermost of these figures will convey an idea of the
kind most frequently seen; the second represents one without its
sheath and with a more ornamented handle; the third is one of the

most handsome, its handle and sheath being carved out of ivory.
The blade, which is made with an edge on both sides, is mere iron:
the Bachapins seemed to be unacquainted with the difference between
that and steel.

Their knowledge of metals is very imperfect; and they were
totally ignorant of their relative value according to the estimation of
civilized nations. The word ¢sizpi or tstpi (tseepy), used alone,
signifies iron, ; tstpi & kabilu, literally ‘ red iron,’ expresses copper :
tstpi é tséka, * yellow iron,’ was the name for gold as well as brass; and
silver was called tstpi é chu (or shu), or ‘ white iron.’ It seems, there-
fore, that the word tstpi may be taken as equivalent to that of ‘ metal.’

The handle and sheath are most commonly of horn or wood
variously carved; the latter part consists of two flat pieces bound to-
gether with sinew: the front piece alone is ornamented. To the hinder

576 SNUFF-BAG. — NEEDLES.

part is tied a thong by which it is fastened to a necklace, while the
lower end of it is left hanging below the knife for the purpose of
keeping it in a perpendicular position.

In the lower figure, the two weasels on the sheath are left in
‘high relief;’ and from this some idea may be formed of the patience
of these people in carving. But all work of this kind is done,
perhaps, merely for amusement ; as it is generally carried about with
them, and taken in hand only when they have nothing else to do: so
that it proceeds in a very desultory manner, and a long time passes
before it is finished. Those parts which are black, are cut into the
ivory, and filled up with a dark gummy substance.

Suspended in the same manner as the knife, they frequently
carry a sibbdata ; which is a small bag for holding tobacco or snuff.

The thiko (tooko) or needle, is a very usual appendage ; it be-
longs exclusively to the men, and is one of which great use is made.
It is always kept exceedingly sharp, and may more properly be named
an awl. The figures here represent a thuko, and three varieties of

1:2 inches

sheaths. These sheaths are varied merely according to the taste of
the maker: they are made of leather, and at their upper end a

MANNER OF SEWING. 577

transverse tube of the same material 1s formed for the purpose of
receiving the cord which goes round the neck, and perhaps also for
keeping them in a perpendicular position.

The work which they perform with this instrument, although
proceeding very slowly, is admirably neat and strong, two qualities
in which it far excels all which I have seen of European sewing. Their
thread is the divided sinew of animals*; than which, no fibre
possesses greater strength. Their manner of sewing is; to place the
two edges of the leather to be connected, close by the side of each
other, and, if fur, to place the hairy sides together; a hole, barely
large enough to admit the thread, is then, with the utmost precision,
pierced with the thuko, and the sinew inserted with the hand. The
durability of these seams consists not only in the strength of thread,
but in each stitch being fastened ; so that the breaking of one does
not affect any of the others: they are also rendered impervious to
the wind, by the care which they take to make the holes no larger
than the thread. To this end the gradually tapering form of the
thuko is especially adapted ; for thus, with the same needle, holes of
any size may be made with the greatest precision, by so placing the
finger and thumb, that the instrument shall not penetrate beyond
that part which is just of the thickness to make a hole of the size
required ; or, in other words, they place the finger at the part where
it is of the same thickness as the thread. Although they admired
the greater expedition with which my Hottentots worked with needles
which drew the thread through by means of an < eye,’ yet they ex-
pressed not the least wish to possess any of these or to make use of
them; and when some of my people employed them to assist in
making their leathern trowsers, the natives always used the thuko.
Their method was in reality the best in every respect excepting
despatch ; but as expedition in work, instead of being an advantage
to people who have more time than employment, is rather a dis-
advantage, as it would often leave them without the means of
amusing their otherwise vacant hours, they viewed our superiority

* See Vol. I. page 214.
VOL. II. so

578 WHISTLES. — THE KETSI.— UMBRELLA OF FEATHERS.

in this and in many other things, as a matter of mere curiosity, but

not of interest.
They frequently wear suspended from their necklace, a whistle ;
either of ivory, as the second of these figures ; or of wood, as that on

i

Whi

iL

t yt AT ches

the left, the string of which is decorated with iron beads. They
are sounded in the same manner as the reed-pipe *, and give.a shrill
tone, well suited for the purpose of making signals to persons at a
distance: they were said to be used also on their elephant-hunts. In
short, whatever article is of frequent use and of light weight, is fastened
to the neck.

The kétsi (kaitsi) or bag, hangs by a long cord across one shoulder,
and is usually taken with them when they leave home, or go on a
journey: in this they carry any thing which cannot conveniently be
slung about the neck ; and as it hangs as low as the hip, and some-
times much lower, it is virtually the same as a pocket.

* Which has been already described at page 410.

FEATHER-STICK. —MODE OF PROCURING FIRE. 579

In hot weather they sometimes carry an umbrella made with
ostrich-plumes fixed round a small circular piece of stiff hide through
the centre of which a long stick passes and forms the handle. The
whole apparatus has precisely the form of our parasols, and differs
only in its materials ; but has an exceedingly elegant appearance.

The smaller black feathers which cover the wings and body of
that bird, are applied to a very different, but equally useful, purpose.
They are tied round a thin stick of the size of the shaft of a hassagay,
which is thus covered for two or three feet along the upper part of
its length; their points turning outwards. This feather-stick often
renders the natives important service when hunting or attacking the
larger and more ferocious wild animals. If in approaching too near,
these creatures should suddenly turn upon them, their only chance
of escaping, is by immediately fixing the feather-stick into the
ground, and taking to flight. As this apparatus is always carried in
a manner to be most conspicuous, the animal, seeing it standing up
before him, mistakes it for the man himself, and vents his fury upon
it: by which stratagem the man gains time, either to escape to a
place of safety, or till his companions come up to his assistance.
In this manner the life of one of my Hottentots was once saved
from an enraged rhinoceros.

When they are on a journey, and often at other times, they
carry suspended from their neck, a dori/lo or stick for procuring fire.
Nothing can be more simple, as it consists only of two sticks about
six inches long and not so thick as a finger. On the side of one of
these, several round hollows, although one would be sufficient, have
been cut out for the purpose of receiving the end of the other stick.
When they have occasion for fire, either for cooking their food or for
lighting their pipe, they place the hollowed stick on the ground and
hold it steady by pressing the foot upon one end: some dry wood is
then scraped into one of the holes, and theend of the other stick inserted
or placed perpendicularly in it; while a small quantity of combus-
tible matter, such as dry grass, is heaped close round the hole: the
perpendicular stick is then twirled round between the palms of the
hands, with as much velocity as possible; and by continuing this

4E2

580 DISORDERS. — MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE.

motion, the violent friction upon the lower stick, in a short time causes
the powder and the grass to take fire. The Bachapins were unac-
quainted with any other mode of obtaining fire, till the Hottentots
taught them that of the flint and steel; but though a considerable
number of small brass tinder-boxes and steels, made expressly for
being carried in the pocket, have been from time to time brought to
Litakun, yet these people were rarely seen to make use of them ;
and habit is still so powerful that they seem to think their own
loriloes, or fire-sticks, the most convenient.

Of the personal appearance, dress, and decorations, of the
Bachapins, the foregoing descriptions may suffice for giving a general
idea.

The aridity of their atmosphere, conjointly with a plain and
simple diet, is the cause of the catalogue of their disorders being but
short. The small-pox has, once or twice, as before stated, found its
way into this country; and, besides carrying off great numbers of
the inhabitants, has left on the faces of many whom it spared, lasting
proofs of its visit; but I never saw among them any symptoms of
elephantiasis or other variety of leprosy, nor of any other disease of
that complexion; although indubitable proofs of. these dreadful
maladies may be observed among all the more southern tribes. Under
these and so many other exemptions, therefore, it may be called a
happy land. They are sometimes visited with ophthalmia; but a
single case of blindness was all that came under my observation: nor
did I any where see a cripple or a person of deformed figure.

There are men among them, who make a profession of curing
disorders; but I had no opportunity of learning whether they really
possessed any medical knowledge ; as all the answers which could be
obtained to numberless questions put at different times on this sub-
ject, only tended to show that the healing-art among them was
nearly as low as their religion, both equally founded on the most
absurd beliefs and mixed with the grossest ignorance. ‘They seemed
to rely more on charms and amulets, than on the properties of any
drug; and those plants which were pointed out to me as medicinal,
were most frequently directed to be used in a manner which, it they

Ro

POISONED WOUNDS. —LANGUAGE. 581

had any efficacy, could hardly bring it into action. But as it is a
well established fact, that the mind, through the medium of the in-
numerable nerves which pervade every part of the animal system,
acts in many cases more powerfully upon the body than medicines,
it is not improbable that these charms and amulets, however ridi-
culous they may appear in our better judgment, may have often a
useful, and more than imaginary, effect on those who have faith in
them. These pretended healers do not deserve even the name of
empirics, since their practice does not appear to be guided even by
observation or experience. For the cure of inflammatory affections
of the eye, which at particular seasons are very prevalent, they are
said to use no application whatever.

There are, however, some few rules which, though now followed
as custom, may have formerly been the result of more observant
men. Their mode of arresting the progress of the poison in wounds
from the arrows of the Bushmen, as it was related to me, is not un-
reasonable, though rather rude: it consists in scarifying the flesh
around the wound with long and deep gashes. It is evident, whether
they know it or not, that by dividing the veins which lead from the
wound, they intercept the circulation of the blood through that part,
and, consequently, prevent the poison from spreading. It is proba-
ble that they also cut out the part immediately surrounding it;
although this is merely surmise. But such a method can only be
successful, where the arrow has not penetrated deeply. Neither the
Bichuanas, nor the Bushmen, poison their hassagays, and therefore
the wounds made by them are healed merely by the application of a
salve compounded of grease, and charcoal reduced to powder.

Their danguage, so important and interesting a point in the
investigation of man in an uncivilized state, so important to the
philologist as an historical and geographical record, and so interest-
ing to the philosopher as a picture of the art of speech in a state but
little beyond its infancy, would seem to claim a more attentive
examination than it would be convenient, in a work of this nature,
to bestow on the subject. As far as my researches hitherto, have
enabled me to make a comparison between the Sichuana and other

582 OBSERVATIONS ON

African languages, it may be said that some faint traces of it are to
be seen over the whole of Southern Africa, but that, to the north
of the equinoctial line, alluding to the western coast, not the least
appearance of it is to be discovered in the vocabularies of any of
those languages which have come within my reach. In that of the
Caffres immediately adjoining the Cape Colony, many Sichuana
words occur; but the dialects of the Hottentot language continue to
this day, as distinct from those of the Bichuanas, as the two races
themselves.

The general tone of the Sichuana language* is exceedingly soft
to the ear, and, few syllables ending with a consonant, the remark-
able abundance of vowels and liquid letters gives it a smoothness of
sound in which it is not surpassed by any language of Europe; while
the great number of double vowels + produce an easy flow which,
in deliberate conversation, is most expressive and pleasing.

A proof that there exists in it a just and harmonious combination
of vowels and consonants, is, the surprising rapidity of utterance
which it admits of, whenever any animating subject excites the
speaker to rise above the usual tone, and hurry beyond the usual
rate ; both which are moderate in all ordinary conversation. This
extraordinary volubility of enunciation, not to be imitated in the
Hottentot tongue, offers another confirmation, if it were necessary,
of the widely distinct origins of these two races of men.

From the specimens of the Sichuana, which I have collected,
it would appear, either that this people’s love of euphony or smooth-
ness of sound, induces them, as before noticed, very frequently to
sacrifice grammatical precision; or that this language possesses a
variety of inflections which follow perhaps no rule but that of present
custom. Various unconnected particles, perhaps unexampled in
other languages, intervene between words; if these particles are not

* For the pronunciation and orthography of this language, the note at page 296.
must be consulted.
+ These I have often written as single, with the mark of ‘long quantity’ over
them. f

~~)

THE SICHUANA LANGUAGE. 583

to be considered either as terminations or as prefixes. The plural
numbers of nouns are very frequently formed in a manner which ap-
pears reducible to no general form; and in substituting one letter
for another, great licences are taken, instances of which have been
given in many parts of the foregoing pages.

The following specimen of the Sichuana language will serve to
exemplify the preceding remarks.

Mintnd. - - - ~ - = = = Aman.

Moontu - - - - - - = = Men.

Mosérri - - = + - + » - A woman.

Bassérri - - - - = = = Women.

Mosdrri o Muchiiéna - - - - A Bichuana woman.
Bassdrri ba-Bichtana - - - - Bichuana women.
Moésarri o minghlje - - - - A handsome woman.
Mimiina o madashue - - + ~ Anugly man.
Sides so eo Sle es Se White.

Mikwia mdshi - - - - - - A white man.
Singhi kwa - - - ~- - - - Look there.

Unkd kwaanu or kwinu - - - Come here.

Lee kwinu - = - ~ - - - Give it me: literally; Give here.
ipa agen a ee) ae = WY OS,

Nid ormja - - - - - + - No.

"Nchd - - = = = ee 6 6A dog.
Mancha - - - - - - = - Dogs.
"Nchu - - - = = = he he) COBilack.

*"NchEé - - - = - = = = Anostrich.

Njatu Sea ett eee SA cowry shell.

Lohéka - - - - +» = = A feather.

Liptha - - - - + - - Feathers.

*Niu - - - - = - = = - A sheep.

*Nko - - - - - - - = - A house.

°"Nké6 - - - - - - - - = The nose.

Kidti - - - - - - - Anelephant (and sometimes, by synecdoche, Ivory).
Makldi - - - - - - - Elephants.

Péri - - - - - = = ‘Two.

Chérnu -« - - - - - Five

Kiéii tsérri péeri - - - - - Two elephants.

Teor Tad <°- ~- -: «. - Alion.

E tii péeri - - - - - - Two lions.

Tht licharnu - - - - -. - Five lions.

Tsammi iiépa lichisi - - - - Go and dig roots (small bulbs).
Tsammad - - - = * = Go away.

Tsimmi - - - - - + - A walking-stick.

Tsimmd eteliili - - - - - A long walking-stick.

Tsimmd e kutstali - - + = A short walking-stick.
Mabdéali or Madbbdant - - = Yesterday.

584

Tiipat bikdali - - - = =
Tipai biibtti - - - = - -
Littipa - - - - - = =
Horra O62 - 21 ASSO eS
Na tiipainehdrri - = = -
Lee sihaaka Mollémmi - - -
’"Mpa maashe - - - - = -
Leekighe - - - - - - =
WR SS S&S 2 Ss 8S 5S
Eééruméela - - - - = =
MGs. ant iden ORS Beet el eeae
WEA So 2 So oo Go +s
Nuayanna - - = = = =
Nuenjinni - - = = = =
Linuenjanni - - - - = =
Kue nuenjaani, or Kiditku nuenjan
SichU/-a = = rn

Lichtha (2a 2. = a
Silléepi - - - - - = = =
Liléepi - - - - = = =
Bung «fe. = ea fe as a me
Bitsa - - - - = «=
Butsarikobo - - - - =
Ke sarriieé - - - = - - =

Meéetsi achili mish8i - - = =

Méashé achild liinshe, or ’ntsi

NG ka st Ghl@d 4.0 =) am
Bié kdapi - - - = - - -
se (ow) uaklwi - - - - - -
Ty Goa = =

Ka ki aklwi Sichuaana - - -
Ka ti biti Sichudna - - - -

Mattiivio kdi - -. = = = «
Mattiivi biti Mondrri é kwarri
SIMO TS SS Se SRS
Kia kwarri Takion - - - -
‘A ki titsi or 'A che éetsi or 'A ke si
ELST ga ae a ae =) de
Thala: hj (= oom Beh es
Mitiié titayd = - - - - - -
Bukldoku - - - - - - =

Méetsi d btkldoku - - - - =
Miniina 6 biklooku - - - -
8 (ow) u bitklooku =
Mosdérri bukléku tdata - - - -
Liind jai haakui mang - - -

Ua tan eh

A SPECIMEN OF

A sharp knife.

A blunt knife.

Knives.

Father.

Give (the) knife to (my) father.

Give (the) beads (to) Mollémmi.

Give (me some) milk.

Give (me something to) eat.

(A Bachapin form of salutation.)

(The answer to it. See p. 431.)

Mother.

Our mother.

An infant.

A bird.

Birds.

A little (paululim).

A bird’s nest.

Birds’ nests.

A hatchet.

Hatchets.

To dance.

To beat.

To beat a cloak.

I am busy.

The sand absorbs the water; or sand absorbs water :
literally ; Water, (acc.) drinks sand (nom.).

The fly drinks the milk: literally; The milk, (acc.)
drinks the fly (om.).

I do not understand (you).

Say (it) again.

Do you understand? or, hear?

I understand (you): or; I hear.

I do not understand Sichuana.

I can not speak Sichuana.

Where is Mattivi ?

Mattivi says (that) Monarri (must) come (to) Litakun.

I am going to Litakun.
I do not know.

Strong.

He (is a) strong (man).

Sick; unwell; bitter; sour; poisonous.

Brackish water.

A sick man.

Are you unwell ?

My wife is very ill: literally; Wife ill very.

What is your name? literally; Name your’s, what ?
Thou, ye, or you (nom.).

THE SICHUANA LANGUAGE. 585

Ueena - ~ - - = = = = Thee or you (acc.)
Okdai - - - - = -.+- - Where?
Ue dkaat - - - - - - - Whither are you going?
e (ow) kaaka kantsintzi - -. - How long shall you be gone?
Ki kaaka horéli (or koriri) péert - I shall be absent two months.
U cho thaai - - - - - = Whence do you come?
Ki chua ko Krimaini - - - - Icome from the Kruman.
Tia béona - - - - - - - Isee.
Ke béonje klu mabadali - - - - I saw anelephant yesterday.
Ti stil ké béono tiéna or tiéla - - Iam come to see you.
Lée ki boonji - - - - - = Let me see it: literally; Give (that) I (may) see.
Rubéttsi - - - - - - - = Hesleeps.
Ba rubéttsi - - - - - - - They sleep.
Kiakdana - - - - - - - Iwill not.
Kémo - - - - - - = - Anox; or ‘horned cattle’ in general.
Kémo & namakhari; or by syn-
aleepha, Kéme namakhdri - <A cow: literally; a female ‘ komo.’
Kémencht - - - - - - - A black ox.
Kémo tser "nchit - - - - = - Black oxen.
"Neha & shitli mbkacha - - - The dog has burnt his tail.
Ikdchué pitta - - - - - = Clean the pot.
Pitsa & kdchiia riili - - - - The pot is clean.
Péllimd 6 kuchara siséeshi - ~- - Climb (up the tree) and gather a flower.

In giving the preceding selection, as a specimen of the Sichuana
language, my object here is merely to exhibit its structure and some
of its peculiarities. This I have judged to be more interesting than
a bare list of words, from which no insight into its nature or gram-
matical construction, could be obtained. Several examples of irregu-
larities or, what I have supposed to be, incorrect pronunciation, may be
seen. As the particular case which each phrase is intended to exem-
plify, may be discovered by inspection or by a little examination, I
have, in order to confine the subject within the limits of a summary,
abstained from critical remarks. With respect to the pronunciation
of these words, and the marks here made use of, sufficient explan-
ations have already been given on different occasions*; and to
which a reference, if necessary, may now be made.

The Bachapins are a people who, in almost every thing they do,

* See pages 253, 254. 296. 303. 307, 308, and 309. of the present volume.
VOL. II. 4F

586 AGRICULTURE. — HOE. — CORN. — BREAD.

adhere to ancient customs; but this character has nothing of pecu-
liarity in it, as it belongs to that great mass of mankind who are too
indolent in mind to think for themselves; and for whom custom is,
perhaps, the safest guide; though one which never leads to improve-
ment or discovery. From this cause, Bachapin agriculture is ex-
tremely simple, and artless; it is, as before remarked, performed
entirely by women. To prepare the ground for sowing, they peck it
up to the depth of about four inches, with a kind of hoe, or mattock,
which differs in nothing from the péeklo or adze* excepting in its
being two or three times larger.

The corn is put into the earth in the months of August or
September, according to the earlier or later falling of the rains; and
is said to be reaped in April or about that time. It is of that kind
which is known by the names of Indian Millet, and Guinea-Corn ;
and is called in the Cape Colony, by that of Caffre Corn +, being of
the same species as this last, yet differing somewhat from the others,
although the difference is scarcely to be distinguished but by the
botanist. The growth of the plant resembles that which is well
known in English gardens under the name of Maize or Indian Corn ;
and, vulgarly speaking, it may be said to differ from it only by pro-
ducing a large upright bunch of small round grain, instead of a solid
cylindrical ear. The Bichuanas call it mdbbéé (mabbaly) + and are
fond of chewing the stalk, or rather, cane, the juice of which they
find agreeably sweet and refreshing.

This grain is most commonly eaten simply boiled; but they
sometimes pound it (having nothing that can be denominated a mill),
and after boiling it with milk to a solid substance, leave it till it
become very sour; in which state they call it bukébi, a name which
my interpreter explained by the Dutch word brood (bread), a word
which the Colonial Hottentots apply to any vegetable preparation of
a similar consistence, however different in quality.

* Described in the first volume at page 406. + Holcus (Sorghum) Caffrorum.
+ Sometimes pronounced mabdeli.

HORTICULTURE. — BEANS. — WATERMELONS. — CALABASH. 587

They cultivate also a considerable quantity of linea (lenOwa), a
small species of kidney-bean.* The seeds are, I believe, eaten only
when ripe, and not in the state of green pods. These seeds are of
scarcely half the size of the smallest beans of the English gardens,
and like them, vary much in color; but the plants themselves are all
of the same growth, being erect, about a foot and a half high, and
showing no disposition to twine. Their flowers, in some varieties,
were of the most beautiful blue; and in others, of a yellow color.
The pods grew upwards and in pairs.

At the time of my residence at Litakun, it was not, what may

‘ _be termed, their garden-season ; and no where was the least appear-
“ance to be seen which could have induced me to believe that they
practised horticulture, as all their crops had long been gathered, their
Jand lay neglected and uninclosed, and they had not yet begun to
plant the seeds for the next season. I obtained, however, seeds of
various sorts with their names, and descriptions of the vegetables.
They were principally varieties of a species of water-melon called
lekaitani': one with yellow seeds was called Jektitani leféeii ; another
with red, lekdtani nadhand ; with green, lekatani kwot ; and with black
having a white margin, lekatani ’nchti. ‘These were said to admit of
being dried in the sun, for the purpose of being preserved as a store
for winter; but whether they were at this season unusually scarce,
or the natives were too greedy to part with their food, it is a remark-
able fact, that I never once saw any of these latter, nor was I able
to procure any by purchase. They have also another sort of water-
melon named Jeshudize, which is eaten boiled ; and another called
lekhadpu, which was said by my interpreter to be ‘ the Cape sort.’
The lepitzi or pumpkin is equally common in their gardens ; and the
calabash gourd + is much cultivated for the sake of its shell or stkkwo
which performs a very important part in their domestic economy,
as it furnishes them with drinking vessels and milk-bowls, of all sizes.

* This corresponds with the description of Dolichos Catiang, a species which is also
cultivated in the East Indies.
+ Cucurbita lagenaria.

4Fr@Q

588 TOBACCO-PLANT.— POTATO.— WILD FRUITS.

This is the extent of their horticulture: and, that it does not
include the tobacco plant, is a circumstance greatly to be wondered at,
when it is considered how excessively fond they are of smoking, and
that the nations beyond them, as well as the Hottentots at Klaar-
water, cultivate it with success ; and where they have therefore seen,
and become well acquainted with, the plant. But this is again a
proof of the force of custom, and of the slowness with which un-
civilized men admit improvement, when it combats ancient habits or
prejudices; for, on being asked why they did not themselves grow
tobacco instead of begging it from every stranger, who visited them,
they replied, that they did not know the reason, but believed it was
because it had never been their practice to plant it. Yet the culti-
vation of this, and of various useful vegetables which I mentioned
to them, was confessed to be a desirable object ; and it appeared from
this acknowledgment that they were not absolutely averse to making
the attempt. They were, on the contrary, exceedingly pleased and
thankful, when I put it in their power to cultivate the potato and
the peach, by giving them, as before related, a quantity of each.

The pursuit of agriculture, though deemed by them of high
importance, is not, however, carried so far as to put the nation in
a state of plenty; and it will have appeared in the course of the
foregoing pages that want of food is sometimes the lot of many, and
that abundance is the good fortune of comparatively only a few. To
fill up this deficiency, and escape starvation, or at least to mitigate
their daily hunger, they are reduced to the necessity of searching
the plains for those wild roots which nature offers; the produce of
the chase, though sometimes plentiful, being too precarious for their
constant dependence; and spontaneous fruits of no kind, excepting
the small berries of the Gudrri* and the Moréekwo +, being any

* Different species of Ewclea are, as before mentioned, called Gudrri by the Hot-
tentots (See Vol. I. p. 387.); but that species which I met with most abundantly in the
country of the Bachapins, is the

Euclea myrtina, B. Cat. Geogr. 2573. Frutex 4—5-pedalis, foliosus, ramosus,
dioicus. Folia nuda plana lanceolata obtusa. Bacce glabree globose pisi magnitudine,
nigree, dulces et sub-astringentes.

+ Moréekwo is the Sichuana name for the Grewia flava. See Vol. I. p. 364.

WILD EATABLE ROOTS.—THE TAMA. 589

where to be found. The berries of the moreekwo bush, are of an
agreeably sharp flavour.

Among their various eatable wild roots *, the most remarkable
is the Tama, on account both of its enormous size, and of its being
the only species of Bauhinia + hitherto discovered in Southern
Africa. The plant consists of several long slender branches spread-
ing on the ground to the distance of six or ten feet, furnished with
round leaves which are nearly divided into two, and producing large
yellow flowers, which are succeeded by a pod of considerable magni-
tude, containing several brown seeds or beans. It grows only in sandy
plains, where the root attains the size of a foot and a half in length,
and half a foot in diameter. It is of a reddish color when dried, and in
appearance not much unlike the water-yam; but is of a very astringent
taste, which the natives correct by boiling in milk. The seeds also,

* Of the wild roots which are more commonly eaten, a species of Gladiolus called
lituin or litéing, and another of Babzana called lichis, which is the general name for bulbs
of these genera, are met with very frequently in the Great Plains of Litakun: and besides
these, there are various other species of Emsat@, which the natives dig up for the same
purpose. They have all, when slightly roasted, a sweet and agreeable taste, much like
that of chesnuts.

Gladiolus edulis, B. Catal. Geogr. 2240.

Bulbus oblongus. Scapus simplex 1—1}-pedalis. Folia angustissima linearia glau-
cescentia trinervia (nervis duobus marginalibus elevatis) scapo duplo triplové longiora.
Flores diluté purpurascentes. Corolle laciniae, acuminatissime apicibus contortis, obovate ;
quarum superior erecta, et reliquze 5 squales patentes macula lanceolata saturaté pur-
purea medio flavido notate. (Vide Bot. Reg. 169.)

Babiana hypogea, B. Catal. Geogr. 2241.

Folia linearia angustissima, et etiam fere filiformia, (aliquando minus angusta) villosa
scapo (2—3 plové) longiora (variat aliquando foliis glabris). Scapus subterraneus, ut
quoqué tubus corollz, et capsulz. Flores purpurei brevitér pedunculati, laciniis corollz
mucronulatis. Spatha bi- vel potius tri-valvis, valvis 2 coadunatis ad apices vero discretis.

Cyanella lineata, B. Catal. Geogr. 2256, 2.

Scapus spicatus subramosus. Pedunculi elongati, basi bractea lanceolato-lineari
suffulti, medio aliam minorem gerentes. Petala ovato-lanceolata diluté rosea, nervis
5 saturatioribus picta; 3 superiora reflexa intermedio recurvo, infimo cymbiforme. Anthera
inferior reliquis major.

+ Bauhinia esculenta, B. Catal. Geogr. 2414.

Radix ingens (sesquipedalis) esculenta. Caules humifusi 6—10-pedales subramosi,
cirrati. Folia nuda orbiculata integerrima, ad basin feré bipartita. Racemi laterales.
Pedunculi elongati. Caules, folia nondum explicata, et calyx, rufo-pubescentia. Petala
flava obcordata, et obovata. Germen pedicellatum. Semina magna subglobosa fusca glabra.

590 ARTS OF THE BACHAPINS. — LEATHER.

which are called témméni or litdmmédni, are much eaten; and are
sometimes strung into necklaces.

The Bachapins may be said to be little acquainted with arts, and
to manufacture only a few things of the simplest kind. I have given
them due praise for their architecture, with regard to the neatness
of their dwellings and the plan on which they are constructed ; and
for the perfection to which they have brought the art of sewing
leather. But though in other works they possess, what may
be termed, latent ingenuity, yet I could discover nothing, except
these two, which could claim absolutely any admiration from a
European. With reference, however, to the implements they make
use of, several articles of their manufacturing deserve commendation,
as exhibiting at least proofs of great patience.

The means by which they bring raw hides, and the skins of
animals, into the state of leather, seemed to be principally mecha-
nical, as they certainly do not at present practice the art of tanning
by steeping the skin in any lixivium. They sometimes smear them
with the brains of the animal, and say that this assists their other
operations in rendering the skin more supple and soft: the Hot-
tentots and Bushmen follow the same practice, but not always; nor
is it an essential part of the process. They may possibly employ
the juices of some plants containing the tanning property *; but this
never came under my observation.

Their method therefore consists in loosening the texture of the
skin by continued rubbing, stretching and scraping: this is per-
formed in various ways. Small skins are prepared in the hand, and
are frequently carried about with the person, that they may be thus
rubbed whenever he may find leisure, or be in want of amusement.

The larger skins consume much labor and time before they are
made fit for use. The manner in which these people usually work
upon them, singular as it may appear to a stranger, is not unreasonable,
as it seems to have been devised with a view to convert a laborious

* See page 243. of the first volume.

MODE OF PREPARING SKINS FOR CLOAKS. 591

employment into an amusement. The skin being laid upon the
ground, and having another skin stretched under it, several men,
from two to as many as can sit round it, employ themselves upon it
at the same time. The operation of bringing it into the state of
leather consists in alternately pushing it together and distending it.
If only two persons are at work, they sit or kneel opposite to each
other, and at the same instant, push the skin forward, not only by
the movement of their hands, but by that of their whole body; by
which the operators are brought almost in contact with each other.
Then quickly rising, they draw themselves backwards, and pull the
skin open. Immediately they again drive it together, and again
stretch it out; continuing all the while to keep time to these move-
ments, by a strange savage noise more like that of dogs fighting
over a bone, or of wild beasts growling and yelling over their
prey, than of men singing for amusement; for such it is meant to
be, although more properly described as a howling and grunting.
If several persons engage in this employment, half their num-
ber at a time go through these motions; and on rising up, the other
half fall forwards and push the skin into a heap in the centre: thus
each party making their movements alternately in quick succession,
the skin, to which they generally add grease to diminish its stiffness,
is rendered, after a few days’ work, exceedingly pliable, and perhaps
much softer than it could have been made by the usual method of
tanning in a ley of bark. Afterwards, those parts of the skin, which
have not been sufficiently softened by this process, are rubbed
together by the hand. The raw hide, previously to the above oper-
ation, undergoes much preparatory scraping, either with an adze or
with a sharp piece of stone.

The form of the kodo differs a little in shape from the Hottentot
kaross, by having the two upper corners, which meet over the breast,
enlarged by a broad appendage for the purpose of more completely
protecting that part of the body. The leathern cloaks are more com-
monly made of the skin of the kaama*, which is preferred as being

* Either the Antilope Bubalis, Linn. or the Antilope lunata.

592 SKINS USED FOR MAKING CLOAKS. —THE KAKIKAAN.

the strongest ; but that of the kokoong, the kudu, the gemsbok, and of
other antelopes, as well as of the domestic goat, are frequently used.
In those fur koboes, called kébo e kési, made of the skins of small
animals, of which from sixty to eighty are required for a single cloak,
the row which forms the upper edge, has the skin of the head and
muzzle left on for ornament, and the lower edge shaped in scallops
and strengthened on the inner side with a neat border of thin leather.

The animals, the skins of which were most usually employed for
making these fur-cloaks, were four species of the weasel-tribe, which
the natives call, inghé, (ing-hay) kotékwi, khdlut, and nakéeri : of these,
the first is the most common, and the last, which resembles the pole-
cat, the least numerous.

The skin of a small animal of the cat-tribe, with a spotted fur,
was frequently used for this purpose: it was named kakikdan, and
appeared to be an undescribed species. * In size it is not larger than
the domestic cat, as the skins measured from the point of the nose
to the insertion of the tail, not more than from sixteen to eighteen
inches. The general color of this animal is tawny, or that of the
‘ light brown-ochre’ of painters ; but fainter on the under parts of
the body. It is entirely covered with black spots, rather long than
round; neither annulated nor ocellated. A few of the spots on the
back of the neck are sometimes elongated into stripes; while those
on the fore part of the shoulders join and form very black transverse
stripes or irregular bands, of which several surround both the fore
and the hind legs. In some older individuals, the upper spots
seemed faded nearly to a brown. All these marks on the lower part
of the body are extremely black; and the under parts of the feet are
the same. The tail is of the same color as the back, and confusedly
spotted, at least to four inches from its base; but it was in no part annu-
lated : its length cannot be stated with certainty, as, in all the skins, not
less than fourteen, which I examined, a part of it had been cut off,

* Felis nigripes, B. Fulva. ‘Tota nigro-maculata. Macule simplices magis elongate
quam rotundatee ; quaedam in cervice virgatze. Femora omnia, et humeri, fasciis irregu-
laribus atris transversé notata. Cauda dorso concolor, indistincté maculata. Auricula.
ovatee obtuse unicoloré fuscze, pilis brevissimis adpressis ; margine anteriore pilis preelongis
albis preedito. Pili interscapulares reliquis plerumque longiores. Magnitudo F. Catz.

MILK-BAG. —SOUR-MILK. — BUTTER. 593

The top of the head is of a darker color than the body. The ears are
ovate, obtuse and of a uniform grizzled dark-brown, covered with
very short close hairs ; the anterior edge being furnished with upright
white hairs as long as the ear itself. The hair over the eyes is
whiter; the cheeks are of the same color as the sides; and the
whiskers are white. The general length of the hair on the body is
one inch; but along the withers it is sometimes of double that
length.

The following figure represents a Bachapin mi/k-bag. It is

formed from a single piece of raw ox-hide, sewed together in a manner
which the engraving will best explain. The opening at the top is
closed by a large wooden stopple, and at bottom there is always a
small hole by which the kléwa, the whey or thin part of the milk, is
drawn off.

As these bags can never be cleaned so perfectly that all taint
of former sour-milk is taken away, they, in a few hours, coagulate
whatever milk is put into them; an effect which these people, are in
general not desirous of preventing, as milk in that state is found to
be much more refreshing and agreeable in hot weather, than when it
is fresh or sweet. The little butter which they have, and which is
generally used for greasing their skin, is made accidentally by the

VOL. II. iG

594 MANUFACTURE OF EARTHEN POTS.

motion of the oxen in carrying the bags of milk to town. They give
to butter the name of mahira (which signifies ‘ fat,’ in any form) ;
to cream, that of /obébi; and to the curds, or the thick part of sour
milk, that of mdshi a buriila.

Their manufacture of earthen pots is not despicable : they answer
their purpose completely, and are neither clumsy nor illshapen.
They are made of clay well kneaded, and mixed, as it was said, with
ashes and chopped grass, and burnt hard, but not glazed or vitrified.
Their shape, which is generally globular with a wide mouth,’ is not
inelegant, and considering that they are moulded entirely by the
hand, they may be admired for the exactness of their form. They
are of various sizes; and some were seen which would hold more
than two gallons.* As they have no knowledge whatever of any
machinery to answer the purpose of a potter’s wheel, nor of the
method of burning and glazing their earthenware properly, it would
be rendering an essential service and one which they would fully
appreciate, to impart such to them. Instruction in arts of this kind
would be the readiest means of gaining their good will, and, to a
certain extent, of promoting their civilization.

Their wooden spoons, which they call léishua, are carved out of
the hard wood of the mokaala tree or camel-thorn. The two upper
figures on the opposite page, are intended to give an idea of their
shape; and from these we may observe the great similarity which in
form and proportion, they have to spoons of European make. — Their
fashion has not however been received from the Colony, and very
probably is entirely of Bachapin or Bichuana invention. They are
carved out of a solid block of wood; and judging by the angle which
the handle makes with the bowl, they must require no trifling degree
of patience and labor; but this labor, as I have before mentioned, is
generally considered as an amusement, because it is the means of pass-
ing away time which would otherwise perhaps be unoccupied. The

* The usual figure of their earthen pots for holding water or milk, may be seen in
the 6th plate; and of those made more especially for boiling, the engraving at page 45.
will give an idea.

WOODEN SPOONS. —ORNAMENTAL CARVING. 595

work of these spoons proceeds in a very desultory manner, as they
are usually carried about with them, that they may be always ready
at hand to fill up a leisure hour; and as they were an utensil in
which they abounded, this work would appear to be one of their
favorite occupations.

‘

NON

(i

Among the above figures, may be seen all the different sizes. It
has not been thought necessary to represent more than the bowls of the
lower five, as they have been selected only for the purpose of showing
the carving, upon their outside. This, to judge from appearance, is
first cut in, and afterwards discoloured by burning the marks with a
hot iron, leaving the white lines very slightly prominent, and of the
natural color of the wood. The blackness of the parts which are
burnt, renders the figure of the work very distinct. The instrument

with which some of these lines are cut, is of this form. The handle
is made from the point of an antelope-horn.
The figures of the spoons are given principally with the view of
4a 2

596 BACHAPIN TASTE.— PROGRESS OF CIVILIZATION.

exhibiting in what degree the Bachapins are possessed of ornamental
taste. ‘The grace of these decorations is evident, and of some, the
elegance of turn is not surpassed in the works of more polished
nations. Of the three following figures, which have been copied
from their knife-sheaths, the two first are remarkably beautiful: I do
not recollect having seen elsewhere any thing exactly similar to that
on the left.

‘|

In the imitative arts, the few attempts which came under my
observation, were in the rudest style, and manifested little natural
talent of this kind. I was once shown what was regarded by the
natives as a superior effort in the art of delineation, and which was ex-
hibited as one of their best specimens: it has been already noticed at
page 453. It was nothing more than the outlines of some animals,
daubed against the wall of their house; but which were so ill drawn
as barely to be recognised.

The carved figures in relief, which are sometimes seen ornament-
ing their knife-handles and a few other utensils, are the work of the
Bichuana nations beyond them to the north-east, who appear, from
various specimens of their manufactures, to be a much more ingenious
people, and to have advanced in arts several degrees beyond the
Bachapins; a circumstance which seems clearly to indicate the
quarter whence civilization, if it may be called so, has commenced its
progress into the interior of Southern Africa. On the western coast,
bounded by a wide and unfrequented ocean, there existed formerly
no source from which a knowledge of arts could be derived ; and con-

MANUFACTURES OF THE NUAKKETSIES. 597

sequently, in that portion of the continent, few traces of civilized
notions are now discoverable: but on the eastern, the existence of
nations, higher northward, among whom science and arts have flou-
rished, may reasonably be considered as the remote cause that the
state of society and arts among the northeastern tribes, was found,
as Hottentots who have visited them reported to me, to be more
advanced, in proportion as they travelled farther in that direction.

As a practical illustration of the extremely slow pace at which
knowledge moves through these countries, it may be remarked that
the Bachapins are now only first beginning to acquire the art of work-
ing in iron. The only blacksmith at this time at Litakun, was the
man whom I have already mentioned*, and who had very lately
learnt it by attentively watching the operations of the smiths at
Melitta the chief-town of the Nudkketsies, where he had been on a
visit to barter for iron goods of their manufacture: the Bachapins
having been hitherto in the habit of obtaining all articles of that kind
from these northeastern nations.

As a proof of the skill with which the Nuakketsies work in that
metal, I subjoin at the end of the chapter, a representation of the
head of a koveh, a sort of hassagay which is distinguished from the
rimo or lérimo, the ordinary sort +, by the barbed form of its blade,
and its jagged stem. The upper figure shows the iron head with a
part of the wooden shaft; the lower figures are given of the natural
size, for the purpose of exhibiting more intelligibly both in front and
in profile, the manner in which the stem is jagged. This stem
appears to have been first forged plain, with squared corners; and
these afterwards to have been cut into sharp points standing in
opposite directions. These points are cut out from the corners, with
an accuracy which many European workmen could not surpass, and
which many others could not equal.

The kéveh, therefore, is far beyond the powers of the Bachapin

* At page 482.
+ The lertimo may be seen represented in the tenth plate of the first volume, and in
the vignette at page 186. of the present volume.

598 DANCING. — VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC.

blacksmith, who, as before stated, is barely able to:hammer out a
hatchet, a hoe, an adze, ora common hassagay: and his nation still
continue to depend almost wholly on the north-eastern tribes for the
supply of their wants in all articles manufactured from either iron or
copper. )

The amusements of the Bachapins appeared to consist only in
dancing, if we except such employments as were sometimes to be
viewed rather, as the means of passing away time, than as works of
necessity. [I have in the preceding pages described as much of their
dancing * and music +, as came under my own observation; nor do
my inquiries on these subjects authorize me to suppose that they
have any other kind.

The lichaka was the only musical instrument which I ever saw in
the hands of any of the Bichuana tribes; and if they are no better
instrumental musicians than my own experience would lead me to
conclude, they are in this respect inferior to the Hottentot race, who
can, as it has been shown, produce on their goraa some little variety
of notes; while the Bachapin, with his reed-pipe, is unable to express
more than a single tone.

But it is not from this to be inferred that the Bichfianas have
not an ear susceptible both of melody and harmony: the specimen
which I have given of their singing t, and the readiness with which
they caught several European airs they had heard frequently played
on the violin by my Hottentots, prove that there exists in them no
natural inaptitude for either. The attention with which they listened
to the flute, evinces that more varied music affords them pleasure,
and renders it probable that he who should put into their hands the
flageolet and teach them to play a few simple airs, or to combine
together into one instrument, an octave of their reed pipes, would
long be remembered among them.

Some airs which I have occasionally heard them singing, incline
me to a belief that it would not be impossible to find in these

EL ee ee I a ee ap ie in hen a aa

* See pages 411—413. + See page 410. _t See page 438.

SEASONS OF REJOICING.— CONCLUDING REMARK. 599

countries, some pleasing wild melodies worth the trouble of being put
on paper; although I had little opportunity myself, of writing down
more than two or three, merely as a specimen.

The seasons, as they informed me, in which they more especially
indulge in singing, are, the time of the rains, and of the harvest; and
although they give no other reason for this observance than that of
its having always been their custom, yet it is clearly to be perceived
that it must have had its origin in those feelings of gladness which
would be so naturally excited by the fall of copious and frequent
showers in a land where all hopes of an abundant crop of corn,
depended wholly on the rains: nor would the fulfilment of their
wishes by a plentiful harvest, be less a season of rejoicing.

The general description contained in this and the preceding
chapter, though intended more specially as that of the tribe who
distinguish themselves by the name of Bachapins, may, as far as my
own knowledge of the surrounding people enables me to form an
opinion, be in most cases generally applicable to the other Bichuana
nations, and will not perhaps give a very incorrect idea of some of
the principal features in the character of the whole Caffre Race.
Of the Hottentot Race, including the Bushmen and Koras, the re-
marks which have been interspersed throughout the Narrative, and
which are the result of the most impartial and unprejudiced observ-
ation, will place their character in its true light, and, combined with
those which belong to the other tribes, will, it is believed, exhibit a
faithful picture of the present state of the Aboriginal Inhabitants of
the southern point of Africa.

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THE

ITINERARY

AND

REGISTER OF THE WEATHER.

STATIONS
AND PLACES ON THE ROAD}

With their Latitudes, calculated from
Astronomical Observations made on
the Journey: to which are added their
English names and intermediate Dis-
tances.

Klaarwater.
Latitude 28° 50! 56" S.
Longitude 24 3 O E.
Gattikamma, or Wittewater
(Whitewater).
4h. 40 m. or 14 miles.
Aakaap, or Riet Fontein (Reed
Fountain).
2h. 20 m. or 74 miles.
The Kloof, a Hottentot village
in the Asbestos Moun-
tains.
1h. 15m. or 4 miles.

Distances.
1e19 | se |e
AO |i
as a5
Feb. | oH. M.
24, (== | 22
25 7 —| 21t
26 - -
3 15 | 10
Q7 - -
2 10 63
28 2 30 83
29 4 — | 14
March
1 7 — | 244
9 - =
3 30 | 123
3 c 2
4 52] 18

VOL. II.

A kraal of Koras.
Qh. 6 miles.
Jan Bloem’s Kraal
lh. 20m. 4 miles.
Engelsche Drift (English Ford).

— 50m. 23 miles.
Commissie Drift (Cowan’s Ford).

Riizo’s Kraal.

First Station, on the ‘ Friendly
River.’

Driedoorn Station ('Threethorn).

— 35m. 23 miles.
Freshwater Halt.
2h. 55m. 101 miles.
Grass Station.
Zh.20m. 82 miles,
Poverty Kraal.
3h. 32m. 91 miles.
Astrild Station.
4H

WEATHER.

A fine day.

An excessively hot day: the sky cloud-
less.

Rain at night.

The sky cloudless, and weather very hot.

Cloudless sky during the whole day.

At night, dry.
The day excessively hot.
A serene and cloudless night.

At night some rain fell.
Fair in the forenoon ; but it rained during

the whole of the afternoon; and in the
evening, much distant lightning.

Dew in the morning.

The sky cloudless.

An extremely hot day.

602

THE ITINERARY, AND

Distances. STATIONS
AND PLACES ON THE ROAD;
Rea With their Latitudes, calculated from
1812. og [2 . Astronomical Observations made on WEATHER,

A x 0 3 the Journey: to which are added their

RO ic] S English names and intermediate Dis-

iS 8 & tances.

March | H. M. Astrild Station.
4 | 3 — | 103 - - - - - -|Fair during the forenoon.
Hunters’ Station. A heavy shower in the afternoon.
5 - . - - - - - -|A very hot day.
140 | 43
Kaabi’s Kraal.
6 - - - - - - - -A cloudless and hot day.
iT - - 14 miles. |A warm day. Fair.
First rhinoceros.
8 - - 3 miles. |The air exceedingly chilly just before sun-
Second rhinoceros. rise; but the day became excessively
193 miles. hot.
Kaabi’s Kraal. 7}
9 |125| 42 |
10 5 20 | 183 Reed Station. Weather fair and warm.
Quakka Station. |

Lae eee > Seibel Ae imp ieal)

12 | 4 20 | 153 - - - - - -|Rainy during the preceding night, and the
whole of this forenoon.

Kraaikop’s Kraal (Crowhead’s|At night a cold wind accompanied with
Kraal). rain mingled with hailstones half an inch
in diameter.

13 - - - - - - - -|The air so cold, that the hailstones were
this morning found congealed together
into a solid mass.

5 20 | 174 - - - - - -|A continued rain all the middle part of
the day, with occasionally some violent
showers attended with much lightning
and tremendous thunder.

Much hail still remained unthawed, and
the weather windy and extremely cold
and wintry.

Halfway Spring.

14 - = 9 miles. |Fair during the forenoon; but towards

6 — | 21 | Rhendster Poort (Rhinoceros| the evening the rain set in, and con-

Pass) tinued to fall in torrents during the
12 miles. whole night, attended with a strong wind.
Southern Station, on the river.

15 - = - - - - - -|[Both the day and the evening, were ex-
ceedingly fair and pleasant.

161) | 2:30) 28 - - - - - -|A fine cloudless day.

Geranium Rocks.
17 4 20 | 14
Boundary Station.
18 - - 2h.15m. 14 miles.
Groote Tafelberg (Great Table
Mountain).
1 mile.

7 5 | 24%) Jacob Van Wyk’s.

113 miles.

1812,

March

19

20

21

22

23

REGISTER OF THE WEATHER.

Distances.

In Time;
on Oxen

q
K4

5 55

6 30

2 30

6 50

STATIONS
AND PLACES ON THE ROAD$
With their Latitudes, calculated from
Astronomical Observations made on
the Journey: to which are added their
English names and intermediate Dis-
tances.

In English
Miles.

Boundary Station.
A rugged kloof.
4: miles.
Pond Station.
12 miles.
Groote Fontein (Great F.).
194 miles.
Kriger’s Fontein, or Piet Ver-
medilen’s.

21

Bae Meee cop ot

603

WEATHER.

Rainy during the afternoon.

A most violent storm of rain and _ hail.
The hailstones were three quarters of
an inch in diameter.

At night heavy rain with lightning and
thunder,

Much rain fell in the morning.

Fair during the middle of the day.

Zéekoe Rivier (Sea-cow River)
at Niedkerk’s.
29 43 miles.
Sea-cow River.
4+ miles.
Heérholdt’s.
134 miles.
Piet Van der Merwe’s. :
83 - - - - - -

Cold Station.

- lh. 30m. 5 miles.

Garst Rivier (Barley River).
20 m. 1 mile.
Piet Van der Merwe’s cattle-
place.
5h. 17 miles.

A Hut in ruins, at the foot of
Snéeuwberg (Snow Moun-
tain).

93|Graaffreynét.

Latitude 32° 15’

Longitude 25 0

23

In the evening it continued raining for
several hours.

Rainy and cold. Wind southeasterly.

An excessively cold misty rain.
The wind and rain continued during the
whole day most piercingly cold.

Fair all day ; and sunny in the afternoon.

A sunny day.

Fair.

_ | Rainy.

A fine day.
Fair.

Fine sunny weather ; but the air often
chilly.

604

1812.

DIsTANcEs.

3 45

6 35

In English
Miles.

13

23

THE ITINERARY, AND

STATIONS
AND PLACES ON THE ROAD;
With ‘their Latitudes, calculated from

Astronomical Observations made on WEATHER.
the Journey: to which are added their 5
English names and intermediate Dis-
tances.
Graaffreynét.
Ca aie sl
BL sunny weather ; but the air often
chilly.
|
= = a é = -|) ;
= = = - -|Rainy.
- - - - - -|Rainy during the whole day.
- - - - - -|A sunny day.
- - - - - -|Rainy.
Rainy at intervals.
pinto Oa ene
Jacobus Van Heerden’s. Fair.
Barend Birger’s.
- - - - - -|A frost early in the morning.
Héndrik Liubbe’s.
Jan Viljoen’s. At night the air frosty and sky cloudless.
Herholdt’s.
Krieger’s Fontein; or, Vermeu-
len’s.
- - - - - -|Very chilly.

Groote Fontein (Great Fountain)
Oh. 25m. 14mile.
The termination of the plain.
1h. 30m. 5 miles.
Wortel Fontein (Carrot Foun-
tain)
lh. 50m. 6 miles.
Elands Fontein (Elks Fountain)
4h.42m. 164 miles.
Brakke Rivier (Brackish River)
1h. 53m. 6% miles.
Nieuwe-jaar’s Fontein (New-
year’s Spring.)

REGISTER OF THE WEATHER.

605

Distances. STATIONS
AND PLACES ON THE ROAD;
a With their Latitudes, calculated from
1812. Sat leooe Astronomical Observations made on WEATHER.
£2 |g | the Journey: to which are added their
BO |ga English names and intermediate Dis-
| 5 A] La tances.
May | #. M. Nieuwe-jaar’s Fontein.
3h. &m. 11 miles.
First track from Klaarwater.
7 7 18 | 252 1h.48m. 6} miles.
Rhenoster Poort (Rhinoceros
Pass )
Qh. 22m. 8 miles.
Halfway Spring.
2h.10m. 73 miles. |)
Brakke Rivier (Brackish River.)
8 6 — | 21 3h.10m. 11 miles. |
Kraatkop’s Kraal (Crowhead’s
Kraal.) > Fair.
Oh. 40m. 21 miles.
Kréatkop’s water.
9 | 4 30) 145
Quakka Station. J
10 .| 3 40.) 123 - - - ag -|A cloudless day.
Vulture Station.
ll - -
12 - -
13 | 7 40 | 253
Three-fires Station.
14 120} 43
Oxen Kraal; or, Kaabi’s New
Kraal.
15 | 7 40 | 243
Lion Station.
16 i = - 2 “ - - -|A cloudless and hot day.
17 3 25 | 114 < = _ 2 = -|Rather cloudy.
Rushy Station.
18 | 7 45 | 243
Lower Station on the ‘ Friendly
River,’ or Brakke rivier.
19 | 5 20) 163
Ox Ford, on the Gariep.
20 - - = = = = - -'The weather very cold.
21 130) 44
: Engelsche Drift (English Ford.)
22 |4—] 14
The Kloof village in the Asbestos
Mountains.
23 |6 — | 214
GAttikamma ; or, Wittewater. The air very cold.
24 | 610°} 22
Klaarwater ; or Kérrikamma.
25 - -
26 - -
27 - -
28 - 2 - - - - - -|A very windy day. Wind from the N.N.W.,;

a quarter whence, at this season of the
year, it blows more frequently.

606

THE ITINERARY, AND

1812.

14

15

16

Lig

18

THERMOMETER

Distances. STATIONS -
AND PLACES ON THE ROAD3 Ha GREE
= With their Latitudes, calculated from : ous
ae d ie _ | Astronomical Observations made on| «4 5 §3|)44 WEATHER.
2 = S| 28 the Journey: to which are added their 5 s 5 Bo 3 DB
me & AS English names and intermediate*Dis-| € 5 Pelncag | Suess
BOF & tances. isa = eae Q F
H. M. At Klaarwater. H. M.
= a = 2 = 3 < = - - - |A calm pleasant day.
- c - - - - - - - - |Very windy.
A - > Fair in general.
- - |
Ayes | = c 3 B 2 = - - - |Some rainin the even-;)
Moses’s Fontein. ing.
= = - - - - - +| 1—p); 36 | 1°7/The whole day very
cold, with wind and
snow.
z = - = - - - -| 9 —aj] 362] 1-9
545] 1 - - - - ie - - - |Very windy during
Ongeluks Fontein (Accident the forenoon.
Fountain). 9 —p)| 433] 5:0|Wind abated.
é S - c = = -| 12 —a| 49 | 7°5|A cloudless and calm
8 —p| 44 | 5:3) day.
: c - 3 - - - -| 7 30a} 35 | 1-3/Cloudless.
10 45 p| 48 | 7-1
i x - - - - - -| 12 — aj 61 | 12°8)The atmosphere hazy
3 30 p| 70 | 16-8} andcalm. The day
Es = = fe i a - -| 7 —a| 41 | 4°0} cloudless.
4 30 p| 67 |15°5
7 —p| 55/102
S é E & a, : -| 7 —a| 45 | 5°7|This and the preced-
10 15 a| 594) 12-2) ing day were so ex-
2 —p| 68 |16:0|_ ceedingly hazy that
11 —p| 50 | 8:0) the distant moun-
tains were rendered
2 - = - - - - -| 7 —al| 47 | 6°6| invisible.
Q 2.6
Doorn Rivier (Kora, Thorn
River.) 12 —a}| 684) 16-2
6 30 p| 54 | 9:7
10 — p| 48 | 7:1
_ 2 & - - - = -| 10 30p| 41 | 4°0'The days were now
become very fine
and warm ; but the
nights still continu-
ed cold.
2 2 - - - -| 12 —a} 67 |15°5
419 | 13
A station without water. 9 — 52 | 88
1451 5 - - - - - -| 6 30a| 43 | 48
Bloem’s Fountain. 1 30 p| 683] 16°2
1} —p|] 42 | 44
127 | 44
Sensavan; or, Blink-klip.

REGISTER OF THE WEATHER.

607

1812,

June

19

20
21

22
23

24

25
26
27

28

29

30

‘THERMOMETER
in the Shade.

Distances. STATIONS
AND PLACES ON THE ROAD;
= With their Latitudes, calculated from :
Qo 4 |G Astronomical Observations made on| « §
3 8 8 |e PA the Journey: to which are added their cas
ES 5 | | English names and intermediate Dis- FS E
> 6 = c - | tances, & FS
H. M. Sensavan ; or, Blink-klip (Shining| H. M.
Rock)
6 48a
3— 9
Klip Fontein (Kora, Rock Foun-
tain) 12 40 p
4 — | 13
Knegt’s Fountain.
- - - - - - - -| 8—a
2h.28m. 74 miles.
3 38} 11 Little Kosi Fountain.
1h.10m. 324 miles.
Kosi Fountain. 11 30p
Latitude 27° 52’16"S.
Longitude 24 0 O E.
= - - - 2 - = -| 12 45a
5 40p
- - - - - - - -| 8 40a
10 —a
3 30p
- = - - - - - -| 12 —p
- = - - - - - -| 12 —a
412 | 14
Tarchonanthus Station.
E - 2h. 5m. 6} miles.
Entrance to the Pass through
the Kamhanni Mountains.
6 50 | 23 3h. 30m. 10 miles.
Exit from the Kamhanni Pass.
1lh.15m. 4 miles.
Little, Klibbolikhénni Fountain.
- - - - - - - -| 3 30p
1h. 41m. 5# miles.
2 39 91; The Kraman river.
58m. 32 miles.
Kriiman Station. 7—p
Latitude 27° 22’ 25" §.| 10 30p
Longitude 24 13 50 E.
- - - - - - ~ -| 6—a
10 —a
12 —a

By Fahren-

heit’s Scale.

48
68

56

39

By Reau-
mur’s Scale.

57

4°8

7
6

16°0

10°6

WEATHER.

At sunrise a_hoar-
frost.

}
LP

air

Fine weather. Wind

northerly.

A very strongly de-
fined lunar halo the
diameter of which
subtended an angle
of 40°.

) Fair.
ya fresh northerly

wind.

Sunny day. Wind
southerly. Air cold.

A very light fall of
snow which melted
almost before it

reached the ground.

THE ITINERARY, AND

_ n,n

Distances. STATIONS
§ AND PLACES ON THE ROAD;
See i {With their Latitudes, calculated from
1812, | 22 ¢|'Z _ | Astronomical Observations made on
g Set £0 g the Journey: to which are added their
ea g 801 5 English names and intermediate Dis-
Rie) S | tances,
=
July | H. M. Kriiman Station.
1 - - = 3 oe o -
6 5 | 193 4h.49m. 155 miles.
A small pond of clear water.
lh.16m. 4 miles.
Makkwéarin River.
Magn. Var. 273 W.
9 - - 2 = o = -
3 - - a es = = -
4 s = Z a = a Z
& = = E a 3 - 5
6 2 a Es A a ce 3
7 S ae . é 2 2 =
8 = 2 : 3 3 = "
9 e zs = s S z =
10 2 - a 2 5 a =

THERMOMETER
in the Shade.
38 |sdi¢ WEATHER.
o © SA| on
BE leah
“8 |es|eE
H. M.
1 —a | 40te 3-7
10 10p| 41 | 4:0
1115p} 37 | 92:2
2 —p| 79 | 20°8)Wind S.E.
12 —p| 35 | 1:3
1 —p| 69 | 16-4)A fine cloudless day.
A.M.thewind N.E.
11 —p| 42 | 4-4) —P.M. S.E.
6 30a | 283) -—1-5| About this time it was
12 —a| 74 |18°6| observed that what-
ever wind might
blow during the
day, it ceased as
soon as the sun had
set; and the air con-
tinued calm during
the whole night.
This remark was
found to be very
generally applica-
ble to the Trans-
gariepine and to a
great portion of the
more southern re-|
gions.
3 —a}| 34 0.8{In the mornings be-
5 —a]| 34 | 0:8] fore sunrise the
10 —p| 36 | 1-7) grass was generally
whitened with hoar
frost. :
= 35. | 1:3]Just before sunrise.
This point of time
was found to be,
especially in the
summer season, the
coldest part of the
twenty-four hours.
3 —p| 71 | 17:3|/Wind northerly.
8 —p| 40 3-°5/At this season of the
& - - year the air is clear,
2—a) 36] 1°7| and acloud is rare-
2 —p| 73 | 18-2) ly to be seen either
3 —a| 363} 1:9] by night or by day.
10 —a/ 64 | 14°2/A perfect calm.
11 30a} 68 | 160

REGISTER OF THE WEATHER.

609

THERMOMETER
in the Shade.

Distances. STATIONS
AND PLACES ON THE ROAD 35
= With their Latitudes, calculated from
1812. | 20 4 |G Astronomical Observations made on
3 & 5|%¥4| the Journey; to which are added their
= § &/.5%| English names and intermediate Dis-
s 6 = 5 =| tances.
July | w. M. | Makkwarin River.
10 | 5 15 | 152
Sikkloniani Fountain.
Latitude 27° 9!21'S.
11 - - Longitude 24 30 20 E.
12 - - - - - - - -
P| 8 Oh.42m. 2 miles.
A pond of good water.
0 20 1
Lobutséni.
13 - - - - = s Fs =
2 10 6
A rivulet.
$85 || 9F 0 50 24
Moshea (Moshéwa) River.
O 35 14
LiraKun : the chief-town of the
Bachapins.
Latitude 27° 6/441” S.
Longitude 24 39 27 E.
Distant from
Cape Town, about 9724 miles
The Colonial Boundary at
Sack River - 6652
Klaarwater - 1834
14 - - - - - - - -
15 - -
16 - -
17 - = - - - - - -
18 - - - - - = - -
19 - - : - - - - -
20 - - - - - - - -
21 - -
22 - - : - - - - -
23 - -
24 - -
25 - - - - - : - -
26 - - - - : - : -
27 - =
28 - - - - - - - -
29 - - - - - - - -
30 - - - - - : - -
VOL. Il. 41

1

Time of
Observation.

0 20a

10 30p

8 —a

10 20a

—

mm bo OONT Db — oo

o>)
>
io)
rt)

heit’s Scale.

By Fahren-

64

i)
59

484
75
514

47

4 WEATHER.
ga
11°7|An exceedingly cold
day: with a fresh
easterly wind.
48
50
9°3|/This day felt even
colder than the pre-
ceding; an effect
which was chiefly
to be attributed to
the strong easterly
wind.
1°3
1402
Fair.
20°8
7:5
12°0|Wind southerly.
16°4
44
3°3
13-9) |
a9
8°8
Fair; but chilly at
7-1 t y
18-91 | night.
8-0
8:0
5:3
17-7
a3
19°1}Wind northerly.
8°6
66 t Fair.

610

1812.

30
31
Aug.
1

2
3

July | Hu. M.

THE ITINERARY, AND REGISTER OF THE WEATHER.

Distances.

In Time ; by
Oxen and
Waggons.
In English
a | t] (by 3) Miles

STATIONS
AND PLACES ON THE ROAD 3
With their Latitudes, calculated from
Astronomical Observations made on
the Journey ; to which are added their
English names and intermediate Dis-
tances.

At Litakun.

WEATHER.

\ Fair.

Fair.
Wind easterly.

THERMOMETER

in the Shade.
go 18425
22 |zc le?
Aza pli [Leah lic
ee
H. M.

2 —p| 703/ 17-0
6 40a| 46 | 6-2
1] -—a} 51 8°4:
12 —p 434 50
4 30a] 474! 6:8

Fair.

S

THE

ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL

INDEX.

Tue figures which belong to the second volume, are distinguished by a preceding IL: all the rest
The B. which follows some of the names, points out those new
quadrupeds, birds, fishes, insects, and plants, which are now first described, or named, in this

refer to the first volume.

work. “

Accana latebrosa ...0. 255. 257.
IACACIAlcsseseccesseesscccsessses Mls L4G.
atomiphylla,B. 556, 341.
539. II. 240.

Capensis, B. 114. 189. 195.
525, 429. IJ. 29. 211. 248.
264, 442. 526.

detinens,B. 310.520. 533.
356. 549. II. 264. 526.
elephantina,B. _II. 236.
264. 268.

giraffe ...430. 455. II. 240,
242. 465. 526.
heteracantha, B.389.II. 526.
Litakunensis,B. II. 452.
464. 526.

robusta,B. II. 442. 526.
stolonifera, B. II. 241. 264.
526.
429.
300.
541.

Vieliddiossecscesiccssseaees
viridiramis, B. ....+0+0
Acanthus ..e.cccccceee 298. 510.
Acarus Ricinus ....cccccceccereee 290.
(NCHEetagssctcscesssccscscceeesseses O2 Te
Achyranthes .....000 sees. 557. 544,
(Desmocheta) hamosa, B.
3508.

Adiantum ....sseccscescesee 182. 208,
AEthiopicum .... 31. 37.
FESChyNOMENE «seocereceserecees
Agave AmeVicana seesse.eeeses
Agrostis linearis .....e..0++. II.
FAGIGINI tineedsseesteeciscooccecioesese
Aitonia Capensis .s..ssceseeeees
Aizoon ... 225. 245. 277. 419.
— lanceolatum .........+.
Alauda Capensis .....eseceseeee
Alchemilla Capensis ........0+
PAllltImipissesesesseccecseactecsecces
INGE coscccasccosencocssotO-. 11,
== CLAVINOTAsDakeessoesscresse, 2i2e
dichotoma...... 24. II.
Plicatilis ...cecccossecsese 25.
SAPONALIA eesseeeesevee IT.
Alopecurus Capensis .....4+.+06

Alyssum glomeratum, B. 255. 257.
260.

Amaryllis ciliaris ....sc.sse0000 186.
— lucida,B. 556, 537. 541.
II. 5.

PUIPULEA veececceseee 25.
LOXICALIA ..006. 5359. 541.
Anacampseros lanigera,B. II. 533.
Anas Aigyptiaca...... 283. II. 546.
f CANA ceccceceessvescescsseses 265.
— erythrorhyncha, 283. II. 546.
punctata, B. «.....00cee 285.
Anchusa Capensis ...scccceree 298.
Ancistrum latebrosum ... 255. 257.
AndrocyMmbium vevecccervscereee 259.
volutareB.... 215.
Andropogon, 465. IT. 247.264. 266.
—_—— hirtus ... 19. 357. 57.
Anthericum ... 304. 589. 538. 549.
CONCOFtUM wove 56.
fimbriatum ...... 51.
graminifolium... 67.
SQUAMEUM ooe.00. 225,
Anthia ...ccccorsseees 285, 417. 465.
decemguttata .....0... 283.
effugiens,B. ....ecccovee 417.
fimbriata .....ccceeeee 465.
Anthistiria ....+.....0 I. 247. 266
—— imberDis.......s0008 19.
IANTHOlYZA eccessescosccsscrooseroml os
— lucidor .......se6008 117.
— NETVOSA eececosseese 29.
Anthospermum .........0. 296. 298.
———_--—— Mthiopicum 31.
67.

186.
57.

186.
AMNENUS) ce0000ccsccccsneseeesceseess) OO.
Antilope albifrons, B. ...... IL 335.
— Bubalis, 420. II. 82. 534.
591.

——-- Caama, (vide, A. Bubalis)
420.

———— dorsata .....cecceceeee 290.
-- Euchore «.. 290. II. 109.

412

ciliane:.oc.esses
lanceolatum

Antilope Gnu, 24. 451,452. II.278.
Grimmiawecseesseosrees 1 Sire
-lunata,B. II. 334. 591.
-- Marsupialis .seeses00¢ 290.
-- melampus ......... I. 501.
= METGENS cevsseseseseee 187.
Oreas siserserseceronse 245.
mai ONY Xaressessessrsccssllec lo,
.- Pygarga ... 290. II. 335.
rupestris, 202. 281, II. 15.
Rupicapra ......... I. 23.
~~ SALIENS .ceccessesecevee 290.
strepsiceros, 267.337.3574.

-- taurina, B. .........[I. 277.
-- villosa, B. s...s0006 I. 502.
Antirrhinum aphyllum ......... 19.
FAD ALCmesersss 525.
IND IStenscesseacedesteressssesse coh © (6c
Apium graveolens ......... Il. 280.
Aphodius vespertinus, B. ..... 376.
Aphyteia Hydnora ....scoseeee 215.
multiceps,B. ........ 213.
Aponogeton distachyon ....... 51.
Aptosimum, B. 286. 289. 298. 341.
389. 455. 549.

— (genus,)B. ....... 219.
abietinum,B. .... 308.
— depressum, B. ... 260.
indivisum, B. 219. 225.
1352, 213. 229. 257, 258.
289,

© 00s 0L CL eo OO 000000

Arctotis

Centatde scascscesseccsse
Arduina bispinosa ........0c00
AVENATIA TULA fecseessessorcces | Ole
Aristea bracteata .....cc.cceceee 67.
cyanea ..... 15. 20. 56. 59.
SPICALA .c.cecscnccvces 19, 59.
225. 289. 537, 538. 544,
549. II. 247. 264. 266.
Capensis. ...-erecc0+. 19, 51,
centrifuga, B. .....06... 266.
fruticans,B. .....00.006 492.
lanuginosa, B. ...... I. 226.
» piligera, B. sees seeee 288.
ATNICAICLOCEA,-scoceseseeccceses, OSs
Gerbera wsococessvesee 19.

Aristida

612

Arnica inuloides ......esccccee. 131,
piloselloides....c.ess00 37.
Artemisia Afra ...... 296.480. 489.
Arthratherum fruticans, B..... 492.
lanuginosum, B. IT. 226.

Arum Colocasia ....cccccsssesee 24.
Arundo barbata,B. ... II. 271. 410.
Donax...105. 185. II. 173.

Asclepias Crispa...sccssseeseseeee 59.
Curassavica.scrce 22.
Syriaca s.scoccsecseee 22.

Aspalathus.....cssccssseeeee 152. 186.
PUNGENS..cocccceeeeeee 19.
——————_ SPINOSA wevesesseseeeee Sl.
Asparagus ..ecceresvee 208, 298, 252,
—§ exuvialis, B.......... 452.
laricinus, B. ......... 557.
rivalis,B. 400. 404. 426.
SCANCENS. seeseceveeeee 7.
————- suaveolens, B. ...II. 226.
Aspidium Capense ......seeeesee6 37.
aculeatuM ....seeceeee 357.
AStEP.cecccsccccccsevecccecss 208, 272.
angustifOlius....ceseseeeeee 181.

cymbalarize .....sseceee 42.
———=' FAXIfO]IUS sevecccdesccecsess 42s
tenellus i.Gicccscecceascss 195

Ateuchuss .....ccccccscscesesee Ll. 328.
Athanasia aspera .ecccsssseeeeee 57.
crithmifolia.. 15. 31. 58.
parviflora......0. 15.51.
trifULCca..cccccscsesees 99.
Atraphaxis undulata......... 15. 19.
Atriplex ...ccccessscsscenseesseres 208.
albicans ...... 207. II. 21.
microphylla.......000. 225.
Aulax pinifolia........ 45. 45. 152.
umbellata ....... 88. 95. 117.

B.

589.
142.
548.
589.

29.
181.

Babiana hypogea, B........ IL.
Bambusa arundinacea .... 23.
Barleria......... 508.541. 538.
Bauhinia esculenta, B....... II.
Berckheya ciliaris......-sssseeee
SETOSA ceccccccveccece
Bignoniacea ...ccorsscssceeseoree 299.
Blairia ......00008. 29. 55. 176. 182.
EYICOIdES ...e0006 29. 55. 65.
Blechnum Australe ......... 51. 37.
Boerhaavia pentandra,B...... 432.
Borago Africana .sssseceeeee 225.
Borbonia crenata ......... 19.131.
Ciliata ..cceccscssceeee ST.
lanceolata... 15.19. 51.
Bos Caffer ..cccccoeeee 482. IT, 249.
Bostrichus....ccccscsccceccescesee SLO-
Brabeium stellatifolium (Holl.
Wilde Amandels).... 57. 123.
Briza Capensis .....sceeeeeeee 19. 57.
maxima 19.
N1GTA,B...cecseesesceeereves SIT.
BroMUusS....cecesesccerceeeee 245. 294,
Brunia’ cddccnssccvecsvcasesseersee Oe.
——— abrotanoides ........0.. 57.
nodiflora... 15.67.88. 152.
—————— SQUAITOSAsseerccreceevee 56.

Bryonia... 518. 467. 538. 541, 544.
549.

Africana ...cccccsccroee 50.
pinnatifida,B. .....00. 547.
PUNCHAtA .rrecccreceovee F7e
Bubalis .......sscccccsssosecsee LI. 82.
Bubon gummiferum......... 15. 51.
Bucco niger ....secceceee. 518. 527.
Buchnera 182. 186. 225. 294, 400.
FEthiopica.......0s008
aurantiaca, B. ....0+.
Buchnere, genus affine ........
Bupleurum difforme......scorse

388.
258.
131.

C.

389.
42.
CACHIs. cece ihevedccecsdsestosteccess ells
Calendula 182. 225. 257. 277. 286.
295. 298. 541.

amplexicaulis ...... 222.

fruticOSa s.reccocccee 95e
Calodendrum Capense...... 25, 65.
Camellia Japonica .....s.e0000. 25.
Camelopardalis Giraffa ....... 482.
Il. 248. 356.

Campanula .......ssecsscsssveeee 452.
denticulata,B...... 538.
hederacea ....se0008 558.
procumbens ........ 51.

Canis aureus ...cccccsccseeee LI. 412.
Crocuta ..ccccccssseee LI, 229.
familiaris ....... I. 229. 244.
—— Hyazena ...ccccossereee II. 229.
LupUwS.......seeeeeeeeee I. 229.
— mesomelas 180. 464. II. 285.
319. 412.

Canna Indica ...scccccsssesescee 23.
Capparis albitrunca,B.... 543. 452.
II. 18.

punctata, B......s00008 492.
Capraria ....se0ceeece eevee 504. 541.
lanceolata....... 124. 180.
Caprimulgus pectoralis ........ 501.
Carabus fimbriatus .....cecsesee 465.
thoracicus ....0.ceccse 465.
Carex Clavata ..sccossssceoscseee Sl.
flavescens, B. ....seseesees 467.
Carissa Arduina ....segsceseovee 191,
Caroxylon Salsola .......s0000. 419.
Carphalea?....cccccsscssecsereeee 544,
CASSING scsceecscetcecocceseceereost logs
Maurocenia......... 15. 31.
Cassia arachoides, B. 341. 432. 537.
COFYMbOSA .sceveceeeee 20. 25.
multiglandulosa ......... 25.
Castanea VeSCa....cecsccsscsceee 106.
Casuarina stricta .cscccscsssseee 25.
Cassytha filiformis...... 19. 29.57.
Ceanothus Africanus 20.
Celastrus... 541. 465. 544. II. 264.
ilicinus, B.......seeee008 540.
LAULINUSH eecteecseeteeen Ole
linearis, B.......... II. 133.
pyracanthus ....... 15.51.
saxatilis, B......... II, 264.

Gacalia.sccscccccdscccoveescccese
Dipinnata ....ccecerssese

|

29.

ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL INDEX.

Celosia odorata, B. 389. 432. 557.
543.

—— recurva,B..........- II. 226.
Cenia turbinata ........cceceeeee 57s
Cetonia Bachapinica, B........ 464.
Centopodium, B. ......s0eseeeee 340.
Cercopithecus ursinus.. 45. 67. 143.
193. II. 153.

Ceropegia (Microloma) tenuifolia,
20. 62.

Certhia (Nectarinia) chalybea... 17.
——__—_—_——— famosa... 245.
Cervus Alces......sscccovcevee II. 25,
Ceterach ......ccccsseee seeveeee 544,
Cheetaria; (vide Aristidam)... 51.
II. 247.

Charadrius .......ceesee00e 544. 502.
armatus, B. 501. II. 346.

— Himantopus ....... 283.

Chasme....cccccccscccrccssccseece 54.
Cheilanthus.........s000000. II. 264.

Capensis.....000. 19.

pteroides ......... 19.
Cheiranthus .........ssecssceoeee 452.
———— torulosus ......... 298.
Chenolea (Salsola) diffusa..... 57.
Chenopodium Botrys...... II. 226.
Chilianthus, B. ......scecessoee 94.
— Oleaceus J... 94.

Chironia baccifera...... 15.31.59.
FFULESCENS...cccecceceees 37
Jasminoides...ccoereeee 46.
linoides......... 15. 19. 56.
lychnoides.....+00..2.19. 56.
palustris, B......... II. £26.
ChironyMUuS ccccccsesececceceeees 417.
Chloris .....cccccosesccscvcssceess SAD.
Chrysitrix Capensis ........0.0. 46.
Chrysocoma... 215. 286. 295. 504.
467.

———_—. Comaurea..... 19.31.
Cineraria .....scsccsessscecsevees 257-
lobata .ccccsecoceeeee 245.
Cissampelos ....... .. 29. 298. 465.
angustifolia, B... 589.
calcarifera,B..... 465.
Il. 266.

——— Capensis ......... 59.
Clematis....... 594. If. 5. 146. 264.
brachiata? ......-0000. 465.

Cleome 3.2:203.5:.ssssseseeseroncs OSs
diandra, B.......ses00e0. 548.
heterotricha, B........ 537.
——_—— Juncea .......0006. 540. 588.
oxyphylla,B. ...... II. 226.
pentaphylla .........00. 537.
rubella, B........e.00008 545.
Cliffortia .....sccseccseeeee 152. 208.

falcata ..cccccoeccceee 59.
- ferruginea ...,...... 56.
BTAMINEA ...seceerere 62.

ilicifolia.... 61. 67. 151.
Obcordata ..ccceceeee 59.
OdOrata .rccccccsveee 99.
ruscifolia .... 19. 43. 45.
sarmentosa ...... 51. 59.
strobilifera 29. 51. 58. 62.
trifoliata ..ecccecssee 19.
Clitorea Ternatea...cccccressose 25«

ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL

Cluytia Alaternoides.., 15. 46. 181.
—— polygonoides .......... 67.

Codon Royeni ............ 225, 226.
Coffea Arabica ....scccsesssseese 25.
Colius erythropus......... 214. 335.
Collapsum, folium,B......000008 545
WolUMb A ccpeiccccvccocsdscsccesse DLS
Capensis... 518. 527. 501.
Guineénsis... 501. II. 257.
risoria...... 213. 318. 501.
Colutea (Sutherlandia),.. 283. 296,
frutesCeNs ..rrcccccsese 225.
Commelina ....scccccsssssscesee 558,
Africana wsccosseseee 19.
Composit .escccescessssee 229. 284,
Wonfegvarisciceccsvsssecceessesese 124.
COMIUM ceccccsvcccceosccess 2U9. 417.
Convolvulus... 222. 304. 341. 465.
538.
528.
400.
537,
257.
501.

(WOpTisicccercccacscesccceccvese. Us
Corchorus asplenifolius, B. ...
serrefolius, B......

COrVUs ...ccccorccccesecccsccceses
albicollis ......secssseee
scapularis......ecceeevee S501,
Corymbium glabrum .......... 19.
SCADTUM 60000000057. 62.

Corythaix ....sccccccssssvee 20. 214.
Cotulla ....ccccccssscccesees 225. 229,
coronopifolia ......006. 51.
integrifolia, B........0. 51.
nUdicaulis ....ccreeee 222,
(Cenia) turbinata...... 57.
Cotyledon ......cseersseeee 182. 272.
(Holl. Boterboom) 192.
parvula, B. ... .... 219.
trigyna,B. ...... I. 226.
Crassula ......... 215. 500. II. 533.
COCCINEA .roeeseveeee 41, 42.
colummnaris ......e0000 272.
IMbricata...cccccsereeee SOO.
pyramidalis...... ..... 272.
Crinum erubescens ....ccccccres 25.
Croton ... 596.
farinosum ......... Il. 265.
gratissimum, B, 596. II. 263.
Cuculus auratus .......66. 464. 501.
Bersaicecssescsecese 20. 214.
CUCUMIS) ccSecvccccccseeesevesess D41i.
— Colocynthis ........... 126.
prophetarum ......... 145.
Cucurbita Citrullus ........ IL. 587.
lagenaria......... JI. 587.

Pepo: .escoevceeee I. 587.

Cunonia Capensis.......ccceesee 142.

eeoeeeccevcecco cer secces

Curcuma longa ...cccccrecees 25. 95.

Curruca .....eseeeeeeee 440. II. 91.
Curtisia faginea-......0scecceeee 180.
Cuscuta Africana ....scccseeeee 20.
Cussonia thyrsiflora.......0. 50.
(Wyanella) sci. scccoceecactecsossoes 510;
Capensis ......000.6. 20. 57.
lineata, B........... II. 589.
Cyclopia genistoides ..,....00. 57.
Cynanchum filiforme .......... 57.
———— viminale ......... 465.
Cynocephalus ....ceccceeoeee LI. 155.
Cynoglossum echinatum. 504. 340,

— pulchella.......e000. 15. 29.

Cynoglossum hirsutum........ 222.
19.

Cynosurus UNni0lZ......0e0eeee00
Cyperus... 186. 404. 417. 465. 538.
549.

COFYMbOSUS.e..seeeeeee SI.
fascicularis ... 51. 65. 124.
lanceus.......0. 19.30. 51.
polystachyos...... 30. 124.
Prolifer, .cccsscccesswcss 57.
—— scirpoides,B....... II. 215.
textilis ...... 51.114. 265.
usitatus,B, 417. 5357. 548.
II. 26. 99.
ccccccccccccccsccccocccsves 196.
hastata; DB. ccsecsescscese 225.
Cypraea Moneta. ......... 291. 444.
Cyprinus aéneus, B....... 280. 441.
Cyrtanthus obliquus (Colonis, Nysna
lilly, \Sescsececsesecascessclensas sie 2O:
Cysticapnos Africana .....00004 245.

D.

Cyphia

Dactylis serrata ....scccssseoeee 37.
Daiis .........s0eeeeeee 286. 289. 585.
Daphne Indica ......ccccssecee 25.
Dermestes....... sccsseseoeee IL. 528.
Desmocherta.....sscccscessscseee 549,
Dianthus ccncsccscccsecsvecescsce’ 56s
Digitaria .....s.cccccsecsccseceess S57.
Dilatris corymbosa......... 50. 151.
VISCOSA wececccosessecesee 45.
Dioscoridea.......s0ee2eeee08 LI. 147.
Diosme ......s000000. 145. 208. 479.
Diosma..........00008 152. 208. 596.
CAPitata .reecceccoveeee 145.
CLENALAlsccccsesteseseess 46s
— oppositifolia..... 42. 57. 65.
pectinata .....cccccrvee 181.
TUDIA sesesesescsocorsses OO.
YUQZOSA seosecccescccssese Fl.
serratifolia .....ssceee08 479.
villOSaversecsessceseset Ooi
Dipus Cafer ........ 545. 482. II. 3.
Disa barbata.....sccececsssseseee 57.
FIEXULOSA cevessccecereoeeee 46.
PAtENS ....ccccccceceseveeee 46.
Dodonea angustifolia ......6. 151.
Dolichos Catiang ........... II. 587.
Donax arundinacea, vide Arundo.
105.

Dorylus.....cccossessesseessesseee 576.
Dracocephalum ...cccceseeseee 417.
Drosera Capensis .....ecccceeeee 19.
Cuneifolia ...ecssevese 46. 57.

E.

Echites succulenta ....ccsseeee 540.
Echium argenteum ......00008 20
ATULICOSUM..scnesseee lS:
glabrum ....cvcccee 29. 68.
verrucosum.... 59.
EGolius)..ctss.ccvdsvessseceressevee DOL:
Ehretia Hottentottica,B. II. 147.
Bhirhartatesrccseseseseeteesle (2e-20 4.

TAMOSA cosseevvevovers 46,

uniflora, B. 57.
Hlegia juncea ssecccccccssrrerre 46.

eevee eee

INDEX.

613

Elichrysum,vide sub Xeranthemum.
Emberiza longicauda 0. II. 492.
Embothrium sericeum.......... 23.
Ensata.........06. 27. 417. II. 589,
Epilobium tetragonum......II. 226,
VULOSUM .ececceeeeee 590

Equus Asinus .........cc0000088 159,
montanus, B. 138, 159. 265,
Il. 275.

Quakka,....e00000. 139. 420.
—— Zebra 159. 420. 455. 482,
TIGRE Ss ccscsdascceossescscessesents208s
Erica). .cccssesescsoses (152 182n208.
AXlAris!cosscceschecsseees=9 89)
DaAcCaNs .cesceceee seeee 9.29;
CALYCINA .escoscoosseeee 57. 65.
bruniades 29.
cerinthoides 15.19.29. 42. 53.
COCCINCAL. sss cansseeceses es - 42
COMOSA 2. cccccescesee 46. 151.
CONCINNA ..sccccsseeeeye 55s 59.
empetrifolia.....sseccseee 45.
fascicularis .......0.2. 87, 88
fAStICIALA seccsessescsesseen SIs
gelida ........ sescsecsceee'e = 460
glutinosa ...cccceeseeeee 46. 88.
gracilis 55.
Melicacabalesecsecosesessoum46r
IMbricata .ssoesecacsoee 19. 46.
margaritacea ......55. 57. 63.
IMIASSONI ccvssccsssssvesses 89s
Monsoniana ......00006. 203.
mucosa 58.
MU di OVaAbessaceesonessesewen Ges
Petiverii ........... 15. 51. 42.
planifolia ..........c000. 42. 46.
Pluknetii......... 46.88. 209.
pubescens .... 15.19. 29. 145.
TACEMOSA..cccrcccccescesee Ga
ramentacea 29. 65.
Sebana voces 46. 61.
SPUMOSA cocceessccccscseee 45.
taxifOlla. 2oss0cseses-<25 87,98.
tenuiltoliaysvccsscssceseces 46.
tUbULOLA ssseewssiecsesesns 1463
Werticllataycsesesccsccacce 5S!
VESUIER ics ces cscssscoceesseer LAT:
viscaria 59.
Erinus ......... 225. 259. 277, 289.
Eriocephalus 208, 213, 225. 259.
272.277

— decussatus,B. ... 272.
300. 505.

— purpureus,B. ... 232,
— racemosus ... 28. 181.
spinescens,B. ... 272.
Eriospermum ...sscsccseeeseees 558.
ErythrinaCaftra( Holl. Kaffers boom)
25: 24.

Huclea Vesccescesescess, 465, Ul2264,
myrtina, B. ......... II. 588.
Ovatas Boy wesececseseccsss S80rr
TACEMOSA aevecececvee 29, G2.
Hugenia Jambos ..ecccsssseesesees 25.
Huphorbize:, cccccscesevceesessicce 251;
Euphorbia ....ceccecessceecreses 589.
genistoides.......28. 175.
Mauritanica 192. 219,

251, 272,

eee eercccvescocese

eeccvce

CETTE ET

@ oe ccever cos cccrccs

614

Euphorbia tenax,B. ...... 219. 272.
tuberosasseseseee 19. 174.
EurysperMum oeveessccccceveces
Evolvulus
Exacum.albens ..scccossssceeee
aureum

Coe cevcee vec vee

F,

Fle
492.

Falckia repens ......sseseccoeeee
HalcOvsceccsrssessesescsecsesesel ls
——— MUSICUS wesccccescvecsoees 394.
Tinnunculus.........338. 501.
Felis jubata .....sec.seeeeeees LD. 526.
CO ceccccccccccccccscces 24. 66,
Leopardus j....ccccsseeee 16.
nigripes, B. ....c0cceee IL. 592,
————~ LAPTISiseessscecoecesesaccecs © 24s
Ferraria undulata .......06008 304.
Testud ososessceccscedsesese 222. 465.
OVINA,..scececsscess’ LI. 124,
WiCtS.ssecscevecesstwssrestece 245.492.
Folium oleraceum,B. ......... 543.
collapsum, B. .....000. 543.
semicollapsum,B. .... 545.
subcollapsum, B. ...06. 545.
BOrMica)..s.ccccse-seorcecsasvecee 448.
Frankenia Nothria ........000. 51.
Hringilla:...ss.esaseuceess 214. 386:
——— arcuata 246. 259. 296:
IL. 91.
Canarias:.....écsecseses “-20;
Fucus buccinalis ......seee0000. 28.
corneus 30.
COMENEOSUS .cocrsscceseeee Ov
Fulica cristata......... 263. II. 546.
Fumaria capreolata, var.B. 245.
(Cysticapnos) vesicaria 245.
FUNGI. sesavesvccstsssveesesccess O94:
Fusanus COMPressus...ccccccsse 29.

@ecveoceccesvecnce

G.

Galaxia ciliata-..cccsccscsescesse 175.
QTAMINEA seesecsececeese 25.
Galemia ....c.secesesccesessed08. 400.
Africana ...sc00e. 196. 207.
Galium VeruM ..c.secccocscesse 594.
Gardenia florida (vulg6, Katjepir-
UNG) isiseresesessecsterossstevst Mocs
Rothmannia ...... 23. 63.
Thunbergia .......0. 25.
GaZANIA, wideccsssesscocccrss 220. 2176
Geranium incanumM o.ecccccowee 37.
SPINOSUM ....00004 225, 226.
Gethyllis ciliaris ....s.sc0e0 29. 54.
GISSONIA.| 2 o.sisconecsescccncceses moc
Gladioll <sicieseserscbssesseesssunoos
Gladiolus ........scesccesee 152. 182.
(Tritonia) ....se000 279.

edulis, B. ......+. II. 589.

Gleditsia triacantha.......ccc0. 24.
Gleichinia polypodioides ...... 46.
G1YyCiNne ......sscccecsseeesee 186. 544.
bituMinosa .....s0eeeee8 29.
Gnaphalium ... 208. 222. 272. 277.
304. 508. 318.

ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL

Gnaphalium denudatum...... 29.

foetidum ....008. 29. 37.

grandiflorum .... 42.

hirsutum ......... 61.

nudifolium .... 62. 68.

—_— umbellatum 61. 68.
Gnidia cyanea, B. .....006. 255.257.
oppositifolia 46.

SCTICEA.. escctecseeseccese- Ove

SIMPLEX ceossecrseceeveee Se
Gomphocarpus......e0000 465. 467.
—_—————_ tomentosus, B. 543.
Gorteria diffsa .....sscccceseee 286.
PETSONALA weseccseoeeee 20.
Grewia flava... 564. 589. II. 588.
Occidentalis ....sceee 37.
robusta, B. ....e06. I. 1353.
Grielum sinuatum .......0000. 286.
Grimmia campestris, B. ...... 259.
GIS. .cressescscescseceesesssense- O02.
Grvlli@ersccscccnesssteeccsssssens LOS
Gunnera Perpensum ........ 29.
Gymnopleurus .......se..00. I. 528.

H.

Hemanthus (Amaryllis) ciliaris
186.
— COCCINEUS .60.0. 19. 53.
Halleria lucida ........s.coe0 24. 57.
Hallia Asarina ........sseceeceee 46.
cordata 30.
flaccida, .c..cese. saventeas 257
—— imbricata .......cecceeee 19. 57.
Hebenstreitia ..........0.. 208. 289.
COrdata seecseee 29.
integrifolia ...... 260.
Helichrysum, vide sub Xeranthe-
mum.
Heliophila secs. .sc.-scocesasecsea2i-2o
—— chamemelifolia, B. 222.
225.
linearis.......006. 29. 61.
pectinata,B. ....... 260.
pubescens, B. ...... 259.
—— seselifolia,B. ...... 258.
Heliotropium ........s.csecceeee 541,
Peruvianum ..... 23.
Hemimeris .... 225. 245. 257. 260.
diffiisajsssics saesse02 8222:
MONEAMNA weosesevceee 222.
Hermannia 186. 196. 225. 272. 286.
294. 298. 504. 541. 538. 544.
bryoniefolia, B. ... 258.
bipinnata, B. .. .... 510.
Hermas capitata .......c0000008 46.
depauperata.... 42.1351.
gigantea (Holl. Tondel-
blad)) sec: etecetetessese esl ols
Hesperanthera ...... 186. 273. 296.
Heterobranchus Gariepinus, B. 425.
Hibiscus ......seessccssesseeeveeee 544,
cucurbitinus, B. ...... 278.
FRthiopicus.......000. 19.
ZOSSIPINUS ..eeveecesere FT
mutabilis.......s0ecwe. 25
Himantopus melanopterus ... 283.
Hippopotamus 86. 263. 403. 404.
482.

Cee ovessecescvcces

INDEX.

Hirundo weorecrorssecceees 555. 556.
Capensis ....s0.00. 50. 501.
Holcus Caffrorum ......... II. 586.
ASPET cecsecscverevcvece 42, 46,
Hordeum murinum .,.....0006. 340.
Hyena venatica, B. 456. II. 99. 229.
Hydrangea mutabilis .......... 23.
Hydrocotyle... ..ccccsscssasees: 152,
———— Asiatica......... 19. 42.
46.
37.
225.
265.

hederefolia, B.

VIFgata veeeeeseseee
Hyobanche sanguinea ......00
Hyrax Capensis sssscscosseeeee

I.
Indigofera 208. 225. 452. 537. 544.
549.
19,
37.
20.
42,
226.
449,
186.
57.
153.

COVIACEA secesescoeee
worn filifolia.......ceceeece

psoraloides .........

SATMENOSA ceccceeee
Ipomeea suffruticosa,B. ... II.
Tulus pluvialis, B. .......sceesee0
Xia. .sececccasesccosesesstocesoees
CTECEA wccccceccccscscsceeee
—— MINUEA... .ceseccescesceceee

J.

JUNCUS ve.c0sacoscceesteceso4 OANAGES
articulatus ......... II. 226.
Dbufonius ....ce.ccecveeee 59.
Capensis......... 19. 51. 37.
punctorius ......... 51. 51.
S€ITAatus 20.00. 50. 91. 140
Justicia 308. 310.541. 548. II. 264.

K.

Kiggelaria Africana ..... 15. 31. 59.
Knowltonia hirsuta .....0eee00. 20.
—— vesicatoria 37.
Kyllingia....secccccccssesceee 558- 544,

Seovece

L.

Lachenalia .....c..0ccccseee 286. 294,
VIFIdIS ...scecscvcesee 548e
Lgctuca’ scsceseeacelaeesess Bese 49)
Lamia virescens ....cecesssseee 417.
Lamprotornis .....6.00.00 518. 440.
Lanipila,B. ......00000. 259. 272.
Lanius .....ccccsecee 502, II. 545
atrococcineus,B. 387. 440.
501.
387.
545.

barbarus ...ccccccccsese
collaris .......000008 LI.
Collurio ......cceece006 501,
forficatus, .....0s0. 440. 501.
Zeylonus .....ccccccosee 245.
Tantana...0-sccnsccecesscvoseceeemo ade
Lapeyrousia ....cecsscsesseceecee 215.
corymbosa ..... 19.

Lappago .seccccccsscecssees 537. 549.
DEVE! Sececevecscsccces cavceceee ioe

ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL INDEX.

Laurus bullata,B....sccccecosee 72s
Leonotis Leonurus (Holl. Wilde
Dakka) ...ccocecseseeeeee 15. 20.
Lepidium .......sccccccessseseeee S18.
Capense ssereveceseee 20
subdentatum, B. 245,
Leptochloa w.scccoccersssesseees 549,
WOSSErtIa: .cccevescececessescceeee 400.
annularis, B. ...e.0-006 504,
pulchra ....ccccccseee 20.
Leucodendrum .......006. 54. 152.
argenteum 17. 54.
61. 69.

—— concolor...... 93.
corymbosum 144,

—_— decorum ...... 59.
— Levisanus ..... 54,

plumosum 151,181,
salignum ...... 45.
uliginosum ... 57.
Leucospermum .........066 152. 182.
buxifolium ... 95.
Conocarpa 25.29.

62.

Hypophylla... 58.
—————— puberum ...... 152.
Leysera ....... 225. 260. 272. 295.
gnaphalodes ......0. 31.
SQUAITOSA ..ecoreceseeee 19.
Lichenes........00seeseerseee 252. 394,
Lichtensteinia ......s000. 252, 286.
laevigata ...... 543.
Lidbeckia .....s0sces0sceses 277. 298.
——- turbinata........... 186.
Lightfootia.......ssccsscseseseeves LIQ.
subulata ..... 15. 19. 31.

Limosella ccerulea, B. .......... 259.
Linum Africanum.......c.000. 19.
[dipatiatasserecensescccesssccescsss LOL:
EVIGALA secsccorsesssce Loli
umbellifera .....ses000. 151.
Lithospermum papillosum ..., 340.
Lobelia ....cccccccsccsesceeceseee 99.
JSobelial wictecisecssecceseescossas 20S:
coronopifolia ...... 19.29.
WUItOArssivesseccsoscoc-css | 19:
IMINUEA sesecesceccsvevere 42.
Pinifolia ....ccccccceee FL.
SECUNGA .ecceccsecseeee 37.
tLIQUEETA ceresescesrvene 19.
YEPENS weoeseceeeeceee 19, 57.
Lolium temulentum 340. II. 226.
Lomaria Capensis.......02s0.008 19.
Loranthus 215. 320. 589. II. 1o.
146.

——— canescens, B. .... II. 90.
Loxia, Lin. ......... 214. 536. 502.
Astrild. 266. II. 41. 91. 269.
Caffra .....s00...20. ID. 492.
maculosa,B........... II. 269.
OFYZIVOTA sesecerseceeeeee 20.
Lycium 30. 194, 225. 260. 284. 286.
508.518. II. 51.

ALCUM fies eseocesesievoses 225.
horridum ......0.00088 260.
2 tetrandrum ....e.ce006 260.
Lythrum Hyssopifolia . 37.

M.

Macromerum, B. .ecccseesseees 388.
——_— junceum,B. 492.
Mahernia 208. 294, 504. 541. 455.
544,
grandiflora ....e00. 295.
ANCISAya vs weacsaaseeesi q320%
Linneoides,B. II. 226.
oxalidiflora, B. .... 295.
pinnatifida ...ec00. 350.
spinosa, B. .seccovee 279
- vernicata, B......... 278.
Malai Sssccsscccsesssesesa' 208. 277
Capensis sorcaccersesererove 29.
MaluruS......scosscseeseceee 214. 555,
Mangifera Indica... 25.
Manis. Sp....c0secscecscceesere 1. 425.
Mantis lucubrans, B. ..... 418. 465.
Marrubium Africanum......... 225.
Marsilea..cesscssesssccsssesecsece O10.
quadrifolia......... I. 209.
Matthiola torulosa .....0..000. 298.
Medeola asparagoides. +... 222.
angustifolia .....0..00. 260.
Medicago ....sccrscoscssceesesens 277.
Megastachya ° brizoides, vide sub
Brizam.
Melhania .......seccccesessovees 544,
———- prostrata, B. .... II. 263.
Melia Azedirach. (Holl, Kaapsche
Seringe) .coccssccccoeee 22. 119,
Melianthus.......seeeeeee. 00298. 541,
Mentha ......... 225.465. 467. 497.
Capensis 255. II. 241.
Menyanthes (Villarsia) ovata 46.
Merops Apiaster ......+6 572. 501.
Messerschmidia ......+06000.389. 432.
Mesembryanthemum 132. 245. 538.
II. 44.
aloides, B. II. 532.
arboriforme, B.
345,
campestre,B. 259.
260.
coriarium, B, 243.
croceum ... 272,
— edule 54,
magnipunctatum,
B. 272.
-pomeridianum 29,
spinosum215.267.
—_—_—_-——-_ turbiniforme, B.
3510.
uncinatum 245.
veruculatum
II. 208.
Mespilus Japonica ......ss00008 25.
Metrosideros angustifolia ..... 181.
Microloma sagittatum ........ 175.
tenuifolium ......20. 62.
Milvus parasiticus ........000008 501.
Mimetes cucullata .......0008. 95.
—— fimbrieefolia ........ 46. 47.
—— Hartogii ........000. 45. 47.
— PUPPUTLCA....ecccccoveee 176.
Mirabilis Jalapa ......sescce 23.
Mohria thurifraga .......e0see6
Moluris vialis, B. .s.sssscseovvee SOS.

eeceee

20.

615

Monodon Monoceros ...«. II. 77.
Montinia acris ......15. 20. 36.57.
Moreen. teshiciitsscsicccsssssccssees G10s.
DitUMINOSA .ocscesseeee 19.
CONINA .rosccsescccccneve, 245.
pladiata .....cccccoverce 67.
SPathacea .cccccesseees 58s
Motacilla ...scccccsecossvcsees LL- 91
AULANLIA .eeccecvcvers 270.
——— Capensis......... 50. 501.
-——_——- macroura...... 214. 555.
macroura? var ocellata,
kectinereenesssssesemOo On
Muraltia. Vide Polygala.
Heisteria ....000. 15. 19.

linophylla,B. ...... 51.

Mus Capensis secccscsscccereees 57
MALItIMUS .eeoereossoceeee 56.
MIUSCL | ..cceccorevessccssvecsseces S94:

Muscicapa ....0. 246. 556. 464.
Miycalevsasecsseseereesassersersssss0O0e
Mylabris asparagi,B. ......... 400.
bifasciata ........0000 400
Myrica cordifolia (Holl. Wasch-
boschjes) .secccecssessessee 50.
FEthIOPICa .evcecrseeeee 42.
quercifolia ...... 15. 19. 56.
SEITALA wer-cesseseeee 15. 19,
Myrmecophaga Capensis 342. II.
97.424.

Myrsine Africana..........0. 15. 31.
Myrtus communis ...orvwerwe 25.

N.

Nectarinia chalybea ...... 17. 222.
—— faMOSA...rcccsesoeeee 245.
Necrobia ...csccesscececeeeeee Ll. 528.
Nemesia 225. 245. 286. 318. 341.
544.

Nerium Oleander ...... 20. 22.119.
Nicotiana Tabacum ....... I. 322.
rustica II. 522.

INOEORUS “sicccvececovecsesvcrsece O76.
INUMIdaY. cssccisccteccccvesteeses, 426.

O.

Ocymum fruticulosum, B.. II. 264,
Cinanthe ferulacea .....e0006. 42.
inebrians ......... 31. 57.
CEnothera nocturna .....06.... 59.
Olea ....cccscccsceveee 467. II. 507,
Capensis .......e0seee08 61. 88.
— similis,B. 177.5435. II. 264.
undulata .......ececcceeees 180.
Oleraceum, folium,B. ......... 5435.
ONS acwesccssesccctsecessoce M525.
QMONIS'.....cccesceccsesssene225..27'7.
Onthophagus ........+..00.6. I. 528.
Ophiologia ......seeeccceesveeee 475.
Oriolisyisseeeccsscecestessesvees 002.
arundinarius,B. 464. 501.
Ornithogalum.........060006. I. 516.
nervosum, B....«. 537.
Orobanche Capensis .......... 46.
—— PUPLPULea seoeeesseee 42,
Orycteropus Capensis 542. II. 97.

424,
OsteOsperMUM veseovesseveeerere 208.

616

Osteospermum ilicifolium..... 42. | Periploca .....ses000 182. II.

imbricatum.... 57.
polygaloides... 29.
spinescens 15. 31.
Osmites camphorina .......0. 61.
Othonna- 182. 208. 225. 259. 260.

‘ 296.
181.
181.
181.
62.
181.
181.
131.
259.
2335.

|

abrotanifolia ..ccseess
amplexicaulis .....++06
Capillaris .....eeseseeees
CrassifOlia ..cccocsceeee
denticulata ...seccsceoe
frUtESCENS .ccccccccess
TENUISSIMA .cecccceees
tVIAMGA. cicscenevsessceccs
QUIS; ceseesesaesosccestecccse’ 106"
—— Kori, Bicccccccncccesstsccce G90:
Oxalis 27. 153. 182. 186. 208. 245.

259. II. 115.
lupinifolia ....eseececeee 257,
monophylla...sercccce 20.
Oxygonum, B. ...ecreresssveseees 548.
alatum, B..cccsceoeee 548.

LIL

P.

Panicum ..eccoscscssssseces 557, 558.
Dactylon .....sesece08 I. 5.
Papaver Gariepinum, B........ 518.
Papilio Hyperbius ? ....se0ee0. 45
(Hipparchia) montana, B.

45.

Pappophorum 225.278. 400. 544.
549.

Parkinsonia aculeata ...cccc0. 235.

Parmedia ......ssesececseses 252. 257.
Paschanthus, B........006. 545, 544.
————— repandus, B....... 543.
Passerina ? .ssscccssoee IL. 541. 555.
CAPItAata ..ccccccsscceese 57
cephalophora .....0.. 42.
filiformis (Holl. Bakker-

boschjes) 15. 19, 31. 37,
UNIMOLA weeccccesceseee 57.
Passiflored ....cccsqeccsccccccvee 545-
Passiflora caerulea ...cecceesrees 25
Pedetes Caffer...... 345.482. II. 5.
Pedunculans flos, B. ....sesee00 219.
Pelargonium... 208. 257. 272. 295.

298.

-ANGULOSUM vevpeve 88.

grossularioides... 99.

melananthum.... 20.

_ munitum, B. 225, 226.

Pinnatum...c... 20.

TAPACEUMseeeeeeee 57.

renifolium ....... 208.

saniculefolium.. 42.

— tabulare .......... Jl.
tragacanthoides, B.

II. 98.

Pencea acuta ssesccsssscccccseccee 670

FruticulOsa..ccccccceccee 57.

MUCTONALA .00.06 29. 57. 46.
SQUAMOSA veoccccecccecee 89.
Pennisetum ...ccccoccccccccccese 544,
Pentzia nana, B. .....ccccescovee 400.
Perdix Capensis .....sccscccseee 270.

AFrICAaNA .eoeccseveees
Petiolans, folium, B.....00sc0eee
Phalaris Canariensis......+ss00
Pharnaceum..... 341. 544. II.

— INCANUM ....ceecee

--- salsoloides, B.....
Phlomis......... 225.341. 400.
LeonuruS....cccsceceses
micrantha, B. .....ee00e
parvifolia, B....ssccse0e 225.
Phoenix dactylifera......000. 25, 24.
Phylica......... 152. 182. 186. 208.
buxifolia.. ...... 28. 30. 88.
PlUMOSA ..ccccrrccesreees 37
SCCUNA ..cocrcccsscceese 56s
stipularis......... 19. 42.68.
Phyllanthus ......... 400. 455. 544.
Physalis.....scesscssccscccsseceere 548,
TOMENTOSA .ccccccccccee
Picus terrestris, B.......0+eseeee
Pimelia inflata... ...cccccecceoese
Pinus Pinaster...ssc.seccssscseee 25.
Pine€a....scsccoveere 25, 24, 25.
Plantago ...cccccscssesssscesesece 225.
NIrsuta.scccccccssccvsere 19,

Protea cucullata .....0cescsceee

ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL INDEX.

47.
CyNaroides .oese0e0. 46. 125.

glaucophylla .......... 203.
grandiflora. 67.123. 11.474.
INCOMPEA cesecesecvereee 5Ie
INCUIVA covcvecseccesercee 89.
Lepidocarpon....-..... 30.
Levisanus....cccsesccvee Ste

longifolia... .ccscoccovee 151.
mellifera ......0.0000. 61, 62.
NANA. ..ceecccvesees 151. 205.
———— PULPULEA erevsesccecsees 58.
TEPENS ceccccccccevereees 20T-
Sceptrum .eccocorsoeeeee 88
SCOLYMUS..e.cevereceeree 176.
SPECIOSA ...e000e 87, 88. 151.
Prunus Barrowiana ....ccccces 72.
Psoralea ....ssecccereseeres 186. 208.
aphylla ...e000. 15. 19. 58.
bracteata ...eccceseee 19. 29.

CAPItAtA .reeerececeeveee 37.
decumbens ......se0008 37s
PINNAtA .cccccccccceesee 58e
Pteris ...seccccccccccsccccccccecess 544.

calomelanos 294.340. II. 264..
Pterocles ....csseccccssscsseccsecs 265e

Platalea nived seccccccscsccseees
PIOGUS: ccscccsiecsscstessscesceessae

Poa....e0006 304. 537, 538. II.

filiformis ......seereceeeees
SPINOSAseevescsccscesccscess
Podocarpus ceccccssecsseececoses

Pogonias ...ccccccosessceee 518,

Poinciana pulcherrima.......0.
Polianthes tuberosa......sceseee
Polycarpum tetraphyllum......
Polyergus ...ssccoscscccerecsonece

501.
440.
266.
37.
211,
72.
527.
23.
25.
296
448.

Namaquanus. 303. IT. 345.
— variegatus,B....... II. 545.
Pteronia.. 213. 245. 258, 259, 260.

272. 277. 289. 296. 300.
Pterygodium atratum ......... 46.
Pyrus Cydonia (Angi. Quince) 118.

Q.

Polygala. Vide quoque Muraltiam.
ceccccccsccccccesoccscooces LOT.
— Asbestina, B.......00000 5435.
bracteata..cccccrccscscee 29.
ephedroides, B... 400. 465.
GaYCiNi....ccerceseree 19. 57.
Mure) Heisteria 15.19.
leptophylla, B........6. 400.
— pungens, B.....ccccccvee 504.
TigeNns, B,.....ceece-veeee 465,
P SpiNOSa.....e.ereeee 19. 61.
(Muraltia) stipulacea 19.29.
Polygoned.....crccssoseseee 540. 548,
Polygonum ....seeccccseoereeeee 426.
aviculare...... 340. 426.
Hydropiper......... 57.
lapathifolium... II. 226.
Polypogon Monspeliensis.. II. 226.
Populus canescens ......ess00008 23.
Portulacaria Afra..... II. 133. 144.
Portulacca oleracea....... 545. 545.
Potamogeton marinum........ 51.
Potentilla .....csccscssssceeeseere 426,
Proteacede....ccsccscocescseccvers 208.
Protea, genericé........ 54. II. 474.
ccccccceccecccccvcccacsoees LOZ,
ACAULIS....cececeveccesees 19.
amplexicaulis.......... 132.
AFZENLEA...ccccececeee 17. 54.
Conocarpa ..cccoccseee 62.
COPALA wrooceveceeecees 87.
oH corymbosa @eercecrgeecen 144,

Quercus Africanaresrccccoccccee 72.
R.
Rafinia Opposita ..eccccsssseoeee Gl.

triflora ....cscesseeeeee G1. 151.
Rallus~......cscccosscnsescesiasseree OO2e
Rana fasciata, B.........e0008. LL. 52
Ranunculus pantothrix........ 283.

philonotis ...... II. 226.
Regulus...ccccccccccccccsccescseee S27.
Relhania .......00006. 260. 300. 400.
Reseda dipetala ......00.. 467. 538.
Restiace2 eevsecescccscescsecesees 208.
Restio ....sceseeee 54,124, 152. 182.

——- FECLOTUM .coccosccccccecsee 26.
————_ tetragONUs ...ccerceeree 37. 57.
—— Thamnochortus.......... 57.

verticillatus.....ccccccces 99.
Retzia spicata ...cccccccsersevess 89.

RhigozZum, B......0see0008 299. 400.
——— obovatum,B........ 389.
trichotomum, B. ... 299.

305, 448. II. 23.

Rhinanthus glaber ..........00. 63.
Rhinoceros bicornis 86. 259. II. 75.
—— simus,B........... II. 75.
Rhus.. 124. 1352. 389, II. 254. 248.
264.

angustifolium ......000. 31.
SS concinnum, B. ©0000 0C0000 360.

ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL INDEX.

Rhus cuneifolium.....cccccwe 88.
GlAUCUM ..scceveescsceeeeee 29.
INCISUM ..sececcccseseeoeese 181.
——— MUCTONALUM eoe.ecercooeee 19.
—— pyroides, B..... 5335. 540. 465.
rosmarinifolium........ 68. 93.
serrzefolium, B......... II. 100.
TOMENTOSUM ..cccccoceeee- 29.
—— tridactyle,B... 540. 453. 465.
II. 253.
— villosum...... 29. 67. 94. 144.
— viminale. 178, 179. 207. 209.
II. 29. 199.
RIGINUSHcerseescetsseccesseccesses, 425)
Roeélla ciliata.......e.. 15. 19. 68.
TNUSCOSA ccccccccccccccee 42.
SPiCAata weesceeee seveeeee 56.
RoOS2 ecccsccecccee 25.
Rosmarinus officinalis ......... 23.
Rottbollia....c.ceccsscceese 544. 549,
dimidiata......... 19. 29.
Royena ..cesresseesconeere
decidua, B. .....ssee0e06 S17.
glabra...... 15. 19. 62. 124.
microphylla, B......0. 548.
— PUDESCENS. .recccereeese 24,
Rubus pinnatus .....ccrccesveess 6,2.
Rittelliaveccscosesectecssecescsesess "DOT's
Rumex sagittatus ........... II. 147.
(Acetosa) scandens, B.
II. 146.
SPINOSUS eccesseseeveres 540.

S.

Saccharum ...sccccsccssoee 454. 465.
Salicorniajcccscecceseessssssrscr. Ol.
FFULICOSA .osesseseesee 50.
Salix Gariepina, B. 316, 517. II. 29.
Salsolaineretroccecsssss atic. ale LIS:
aphylla ......0006. 267. 419.
diffusa ; vide, Chenoleam. 51.
Salvia... 182. 221, 222. 227. II. 95.
Africana ...se.000. 15.51. 145,
AUiitateccessesscccceseccscen LOG
FEthi0pis ...ceeseocseseeeee 465,
Sambucus Nigra .escccscssevseses 25.
Samolus Valerandi .......0.00. 465.
Sanseviera...scccccssscsssecscsees 465.
SaxicOlatceccssdesccaccescss DODOON.
leucomelana,B........ 535.
Scabiosa ...scccccee seeeseeven 460%
TIGIGA sresecseeeseeee ST. 68.
PUMILA...crecereeseeeeee 19.
Schizzea pectinata ....cwew 57.
Schcenus capitellum............ 57.
MINIT Sfiseciessiesssscionese =! 2OOs
Scirpus ....secsccssvseccsersseesee 465.
Holoscheenus ....006. 51.
—— (Fuirena) Hotteniottus. 19.
ee WACUSEISteescecsecesceess: OL.
tegetalis, B. ...... 260. 265.

II. 125.
== =I MALtlMUSiessccevecsse) Ol.
Sclurlsiecssessassscesees 345.
Capensis.......e06. II. 241.
Scolopax ...sssecsesceseoeversees S02,
Scoparia arborea ...cesersserere 94.

VOL. II.

Selago..... 196. 225, 252. 257. 260.
277. 5357. 549.
——— corymbosa .....cceee0e. 19.
fasciculata ..s.scccseee 42.
——— rapunculoides ......... 37.
———— SPUII€ ...eceeseccerese GO. 46.
Semicollapsum, folium,B...... 543.
Senecio... 225. 258. 277. 289, 295.
518. 432.
longifolius .......e0000. 19.
TIGIUUS voececeeseeseceeee 68.
WCDLAS esescacccstsecessosee 2OZe 207 =
Serissa Capensis ......ss0seee08. Sl.
Serpicula repens .....e.c000 19. 57.
rubicunda, B........ 37.
Selrunlatreetescssscecesesee Ol 152:
Burmanni .....0,.0000.. 61.
— glomerata ...ccccccrcoee 58.
NESAMUMwerssecisccatscsseostensest 210.
Sesclivsesscessstcsdseresssssessers 20-.
Sida ...cccccoreccsveee S41. 455, 544,
Sideroxylum inerme (Holl. Melk-
NOUS) eeeeevesseoscedcescessseur co:
lene Mveseraseseaecereschecsses eset 22.
Silphatrcecsecsesosscorsrcaeses En O28.
Silurus Gariepinus, B. ......... 425.
Simia, vide Cercopithecum.
Sinapis tripinnata, B............. 518.
Sisymbrium ......... 208. 286 304.
Gariepinum, B...... 548.
Sisyphus .....ececcsseeeseeeeee I. 528,
Sium latifolium....... .. II. 226.
Solanabesasescssetsesseessesssvscse: 2D:
Solanum ...ccccccsssovovses 272. 544,
GIFANCEUM ceeeeeeeveees 25.
tomentosuM ....... 28. 5O.
Sophora Japonica .......... Il. 146.
— sylvatica, B......... I. 146.
SPANAXISiscccsseccesecerassecossss 202,
Spartium cuspidosum, B. 348. 560.
W255:
Spatalla....cccccscossccsesersersee 89.
Spielmannia Africana.......... 58.
Staavia glutinosa ...sccsececesee 45.
——— radiata .....0006 45. 57. 63.
Stachys thiopica...... 20. 29. 31.
Stapelize .ccccccccovenee 245. I. 51,
Stapelia pilifera .......... 245. 245.
Statice............ 454. 465. II. 21.
— SCADIA srecccsccceeese 50. 51,
Stilbe ericoides ......ceeeeseeee 42.
PiNAStrA ....scececsseseere 29,
Stobcea atractyloides ...... 20. 51.
StOcbeveccscccteessccsssccseessese) LOLs
CTICOIGES ...sceseveceeee 151.
———— IMCANA airscecsccecscceee 46.
———— PFOstrata wersscceeseseee 42.
—— rhinocerotis. 101, 102.176.
186. 255. II. 126.
— VIPgata ...cccccssseseeeee ISI,
Strelitzia augusta...... 24. II. 258,
VELING is cesecderedevee mao.
Strobilaria; Bicsecsccosssecvceseet mo 4:
Strumaria filifolia......cccsceeee 186.
SpilaliSteesseueeceoeese ioe
Struthio Camelus; vide, Ostrich.
24. 205. 244, 279.
Struthiola erecta ......sscce00e 57.
Juniperina ...eee. S57.

4k

617

Struthiola virgata ..scsccosses. 57.
Stylans germen,B......eccceeee. 219.
Subcollapsum folium,B........ 543.
Sutherlandia............006 283. 296.
Sylvia........... 304, 572. 440. 501,
flaviventris, B........0600. 355.
Symgenesia .......00s.ceesecesese: 284,
Systrepha, B. (Ceropegia ?)... 546.
—— filiforme,B.......... 546.

T.

Tabernemontana ...occwee. 23, 24,
IRENIAN csceesssteoserccecersesccssue 80%
Talinum .........0. 419. 541. 544,
Tamus Elephantipes........ II. 148.
WaNaACetUMwessesseecessesssessees) 465:
multiflorum......... 29.
Tarchonanthus...... 321. 341. 448.
II. 199. 253. 247,
264.271.289, 507.

540. 445.
oo camphoratusII. 233.
ilaxus ClOngAatacc cssssocesssccss 725
Telephium ......000. soscaseases. 544.
Terminalia Catappa.........00. 400
erythrophylla,B.... 400.
Testudinaria .........s0s0e06 II. 147.
———-— montana, B... II. 148.
Tetragonia .....00.se00008 298. 548.
FrUtiCOSA......0000008 29.
hirsuta......... 175. 179.
Tetrao (Pterocles) Namaquanus.
265. 505. II. 545.
(Pterocles) variegatus, B.
IL. 545.
Thanatophilus............... II. 328.
Thesium .......0000. 272. 298, 544,
CApPitatuM ..creceeovesee 46.
——— Colpoon ......e00ce0008 29.
StYICtUM. 0.00008 19.57. 42.
MhahiGtrumiccesessessieess+sereo+e 0394s
Thuia cupressoides ........062 59.
Thymelez .....0scccceses. 212. 255.
MN GAY. Boece sscceccessesesssesesss 259)
Todea Africana ....ssesessecoe 37s
Montnefontiavressssedcss-seeste DOS
Tortula recurvata,B.........068. 259.
Triaspis hypericoides, B.... II. 280.
MTICHONEMA;soccessecsesescsse 0s e208:
— spirale,B.......... 260.
— tortuosum,B..... 259.
MTHOMMEREPENS\cssesesceseoess | Ole
Triglochin maritimum......... 51.
ERTIPSACUMseesecessacecsscocesisss DO
Tritonia .......s0000. 279. 296. 298.
HEOCHID ..Ueisdscossesscccesesssss 18s
Tropeeolum Nasturtium ...... 23.
Tulbaghia alliacea ............. 466.
Turdus ......... 518. 527. 464. 501.
— bicolor ......cccscsoveees 394
——-— Capensis ......s0006 00. 327.
MItENS! veecrsncesess SLB. 440.
ZeylOnus .ceresecrersese 245.
Mypha latitoliatieescccsesssssss, 51.

618

U.

Wmbellifera ...scecesscssessceces
UncariasBevccssitsossasesiesccreces
——— procumbens, B... 536,
Uniola:s.sccosscssecsecseere 400.
Upupa Epops ......ecer00e 394.
purpurea, B....... sl
Urania speciosa ......s0e0e0. IL.
Uropetalum, B....... 544. 548,
— glaucum,B........
WIREICAUPENSSsccrscesscoeeccecsns

V.

Vahlia. ....0-sreeescessseese” 400,
Vangueria infausta, B. II. 258.

VeLDEN AL. dicceesceleersssoss 298.
Officinalis.....cecccveees
Verna, ivisirerieasecscdsssecs

394,
536.
537.
549.
501.
464.
546.
259.
549.
548.
340.

417.
451.
499.
oats

37.
426.

Veronica Anagallis... 540. II.

——— scutellata .....c-socsees

Vespertilio, Lin. ..........+. II.

Villarsia ; vide Menyanthem.
ViNCaiTOseancccstcessteseseecsess
Vipera inflata, B. ......seeseegeee
Virgilia Capensis ...........000s

Viscum Capense ......... 143.

—, var. B. ..c.000-

WiVeELrTracivscceoseesssleceedeoscte

II.

Vultur auricularis......... 377.
occipitalis, B.......... I.
Percnopterus. 336. 538.
501. II.

— pileatus,B............ If

W.

Wachendorfia hirsuta..........
Watsonia alopecuroides.......

rotundifolium.........-

226.
426.
257.

46.

25.
469.
25.
147.
213.
181.
345,
592.
501.
3529,
474,
194;
- 195.

19.
15.

ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL INDEX.

Watsonia plantaginea..... Uh
Spicatal....sceccceteas
Weinmannia trifoliata.........

X.

Xeranthemum ... 152.
— (Helichrysum) canes-

CENS .seeee 152.

-— sesamoides.

29.
speciosissi-
42.

wer ecscessctoes

IMUM cocccccccsccvcesescevece

Z.

Zanichellia ......000seee0ee0. I. 241.
Zizyphus bubalinus 317. II. 20. 29.
Zygophyllum... 225, 289. 294. 300.
310.

19.

sessilifolium......

THE

GENERAL INDEX.

The pages of the second volume are distinguished by a preceding I1.: all the rest refer to the first

volume.
accented syllable.

A dkaap 528. 542. 361. 538. II.5.
Aardvark ...... 542. II. 97. 424.
AAS-VOGE] via sccceceeesccee Ol Te DOL.
Aborigines of Southern Africa, dis-
tinguished .......csceeseseee 582.
—_———- conclu-
sions drawn from their present
mode of dress ......... II. 575.
Abrams: Abram, a Hottentot. II.
225, 228.

Hendrik, a Hottentot. 499.
516. II. 219.

Acacia, of the Cape, its Colonial
TLAMES .reevecccsrevccsesesves 195.
representa-
tions of it ..... 189. 228. 525.
other spe-
cies closely resembling it. I.
248,
compared
20:
243.
405.

——<—<$<$$<_—<— —=

with the Camelthorn. II.
— bark, used in tanning.
used for cord.....
BYOVE Of seesseseeessnes 524.
——— a beautiful species of. 356.
——— anew and remarkable spe-
GlEStOlersectetsectscesssaecs, O89%
useful for enclosures for
CAttlrscscssecrsuscevescecsss AO.
——— produces Gum-Arabic. 429.
nowhere seen growing in
the Cisgariepine...... If. 211.
a new species, in Serra-
kutu’s mootsi ......... II. 464.
different species growing
near Litakun ......... II. 526.
Accident Fountain......... II. 237.
Rivielueteestsssscescess (220;
Achter-ryders: their office ex-
plained .....sessereseeeell, 152.
Achter-Snéeuwberg ......... IT. 115.
Adam, a Bachapin: his history.
Il. 571, 572. 402. 406.

Adder: the Puff; described. 469.
UWOlUstsscsscaessesesiccstewsscsse, | 4s

Africa. and Europe, contrasted.
495, 496.

African and the European, con-
trasted scccscaccescscsess L445:
Africa, Southern, its western coast.
49,

Africadnders, or Afrikadners; co-
lonial signification of the
WOLGisssretecccosrercceeseteey (ill
Africdander, a Hottentot freebooter:
some account of him .... 270.
robs a Hottentot kraal.
AOA:

reports respecting him,
intimidate the author’s Hot-
CENLOtS .ccccccesceeeee S25. 554.

Il. 576,

six of his men mur-

dered by the Caffres. II. 543.

INDALESpeeseeeceeseesectessoas lle 215.

Agriculture at the Asbestos Moun-

TAINS covcccsescsecersecssersee OOOe

at Klaarwater ...... 565.

a country capable of.

II. 56. 42.

of the Bachapins. II.506.

525, 586.

Agter-stel ..cccrssssossesssesseeee 150,
Agter: see, Achter.

Akktii bon! (Let me see). II. 465.

Albany: district of ...... 75. 580.

AlgoatBay wescssesseces IN. ON 1540;

Alkali, for making soap: how ob-

tained by the Colonists.

volatile: its use against the

bite of snakes ......... II. 130. |

Alkaline water............ I[.19. 21.
Alluvialsotl? ..csccssaseseseeccses 467.
Almanack: a Hottentot mode of
making one ........... I. 245.
Almond <isescececesceseseGOs Ll. 280,
themlincdian® seuveesssees 200:

Aloé; the great American .., 15.
—— anewspecies of .....,... 272.

4K 2

remark on the name. |

419. |

i

The pronunciation of the foreign words, is marked by a(’) or a(-) over the

E449)

5352.
142
480.

Aloé, called Tokwi ........II.
Alder, of the Colony .....++0
Alsems| .Wilde\osci-seseseseseses
Amandels: Wilde (Brabeium stel-
Latif) sven sieeecsctessecs ne Oil
Ammonia: an instance of its effi-
cacy against the bite of a ser-
PENE coccccseccceeseeee O92. O41.
Ammunition purloined ..,. II. 242.
Amulet: description of one worn
by the Bachapins...... II. 550
Amyodal O1dtiencenessteseeterllar elon
Amygdaloidal greenstone. II. 215.
Anderson, Mr.: a missionary. 49.
64, 551. II. 225, 251, 245.
Andries, a Hottentot of the author’s
party. II. 166. 253. 350. 579.
583. 422. 457.

Animal matter: its mutations. II.
527.

Animals; wild: the possibility of
CANIN OVtM eM Meneseesccsrees 407
Animated nature: apicture of. II.
3528.

Ants: a black species of them,
very troublesome ...c.... 425.
Ant-hills, and a large species of
Ant; described ..........06 448.
Anteater........+06.542. 448, II. 97.
Antelopes: nature of the meat of.
USTs

Antelope: new species of; de-
SCHIVEC sevasrerenrsMlks 277.0502.

the crescent-horned. I].
354. 575.

Anys-Wortel (Anise-root) ..... 252.
Apron of the Bachapin women. II.
565.

Architecture, of the Bachapins, and
Bichuanas ....... II. 305. 517.
ATCEULUS secnmecesee. 550. LI.9550.
Aridity of the atmosphere: its
effects 282. 488.

of soil and climate, favor-
able to health... 275. II. 580.

eee ececccvcccce

620

Arrows of the Bushmen, IT. 62.198.
199, 200.
made from
a peculiar species of reed.
II. 271.

a mode of
curing the wounds made by
thembesscccsceceectcsssess Looe
Arrow-poison : its nature, and anti-
dote considered 539, 540, 541.
Asbestos: a beautiful and immature
SPECIES Of. .rereceeseeseesvee TIL
Mountains: arrival at.

528. 541.

———_——— plants found
there.....cce.00 540. 543, 544.
beautiful
scenery among them.... II. 5.
Astrild, or Réodebekje. 266. Il. 269.
Astrild Station .....-sceeeeee. II. 41.
Astronomical peculiarities, in the
Southern hemisphere...... 80.

— calculations: a remark
respecting those here employed.
204,

— observations: some
remarks on 3335. 556. 576.

If. 524.

Astronomy: the atmosphere of the
Interior peculiarly favorable to.
375. 484.

——_-———-a practical application
Oliessctasstescesccursccessep loo.
useful to a traveller in
rectifying the dates of his
journal .....cescsscceressene F45.
Atmosphere: extraordinary clear-
NESS Of... .sesveecereeeee 65. 575.
—— its excessive aridity in
the Transgariepine ....... 283.
Atmospheric heat: the principle of
it conjectured ...... 496, 497.

one

—=

Attiquas Kloof ....sccceseveeee 89.
Auctions, or Vendues ......... 79.
Aurora: African............ IL. 525.

Auteniqua-land....ccccceseeee 82. 92.

Autumnal colors ....... IL. 10. 215.

Avond-bloem (Evening-flower).
186. 275.

B.

Ba; a Sichuana prefix..... IL. 503.
Baas, a colonial title. 87. II. 94.159.
Baboons (see also Bavidans). 67.
143. 195. II. 144, 155.
Babylénsche Toren; a mountain
remarkable for being visible at

a great distance .........+« 100.
Bachapins. — The following refer-
ences are given only for the
purpose of collecting together

the scattered observations on
this people: the other parti-
culars will be found in the
17th and 18th Chapters, at
pages 511. and 529. See also

the words Briqua, Bichudna,
and Litakun.

GENERAL INDEX.

Bachapins (Bachapéens) remarks on
the name..........e006+ I. 503.
boundary of their coun-
LY cccvccccccccccecccscccveces S46,
how called by the Hot-
CENCOLS 000 ,socecrecccescoeee TOF.
———- some of their supersti-
tious notions ........ 481, 482.
boy: one brought to
Klaarwater ........0ss000e008 485.
———— one hired for the journey
to Graaffreynet.......0200. 541.
interpreter, engaged. 484.
notarrow-makers. IT.199.
in service of the Half-
Hottentots ......c006. Il. 254.
the degree of civilization
to which they have arrived.

II. 505.

———— roads, described. II. 306.
dress........ II. 519. 412.

grand hunting-parties.

——

II. 520.
mode of taking snuff.

II. 521.
timidity: cause of.

II. 35352.

—w— and Bushmen: their
hostility towards each other.

Il. 541.

. the state of society

among them...... II. 547, 348.
onenamed Adam, brought

up under the Boors... II. 572.
remarks on their names.

Il. 375.

hospitality........ II. 582.

manner of conducting
themselves towards their Chief.

II. 586.

their importunate beg-

PING .cccccccorcecncssecee IT. 587.
ready in comprehending

a drawing.......see0c0e0 IL. 591.
mode of showing their

general character. II. 594,595.
derive advantages from

the Colony....... IL. 415, 416.

a grand hunt near Lita-
KUM <ccecoctecesoccecsseee) 11.420.
inferior to the Bushmen

in the power of running. IT. 420.
religious notions. II. 427.
— punishments .... II. 451.
opinions of the Colonial
AFeSS...ccsccesccesoseeene Ll. 452.
house, described II. 444.
— meals...... I]. 449—451.
a notion respecting white-
MEN .eeeecessccseceeseeee LI. 451.
bad-faith in_ bartering.

II. 456. 459.

warfare, and marks of
NONOL ..eccecsescseceeee II. 478.
acquitted of cannibalism
Il. 478.

marriages ....... IL. 485.
opinion respecting white-
MEN seccsscceseveeveevens LI. 558.

Bachapins, first visited by a party of
Hottentots. .........6. I. 559.
remarks on the possibi-
lity of civilizing them. II. 560.
concluding remarks on
them .....ccrsrecsceners» LI. 599.
Bakarrikarri (see also Karrikarri).
Il. 552.
Bakkerbéschjes (Passernia filifor-
15.
Bamikkatta .....seccccreseseee II. 552.
Bamakwiins...... II. 552. 567, 568.
Bamboo Cane......... 142. II,.172.
the Sea- ...secccovcseeee 28.
Bambosberg .....0scsseeeeseeeeee 581.
Bambus, or Hottentot wooden-jug.
406, 407.
used as a drum. Il. 65. 87.
Bamiichirs ........00e. IL. 552. 548.
obtain guns from Afti-
kaander .....sseeeee000 Ll. 576.
boundary ....cccc0 546.
Bang-héek, 144.— its beauty of
SCENETY ooeaivecesccscccsceese 145
Banyan tree of India: its singular
character mimicked by the
Willows of the Kygariep. 425.
Ba-pélu ......eccseccesssceseee LI. 409.
Barbet ...cceccscereee 518.527. 502.
Baroba, or Bushmen ...... II. 377.
Barolongs......... Il. 304. 552. 548.
their friendly reception
of a party of Colonial Hotten-
LOtS secsscecesccesersceee IL. 537.
Barracks in Cape Town.... 26. 74.
Barrow, Mr. ; his description of the
Stinkwood ......ceccseeeee. 72
Rogge-
Veld! coe ccscsloncensoesteatens Fie.
——————. Kora-
NAS .cerecsscccccereccscecsesee O46.
STN OS
buck-sscesessesspencetees rr 109.
Gnu.
452.
his map..... 577, 578.
character of his Work.
See the vindication- of the
author’s “ Hints on Emigra-
tion’”’ appended to Vol. I.
Bartering with the Bachapins.
II. 400, 406. 456, 508.
Barter: the mode of estimating
tODACCO .eeeeceseeereseeee I. 49.
—— a mode of conducting it
by an agent.......0.6 IL. 555.
Basil; a frutescent species dis-
Covered ....eccccesseeee II. 264.
Bassarri mingklie. (Pretty girls).
Il. 586.
Bastaards, (or Mixed-Hottentots)
explanation of the term. 154.
361,
Wildebeest......... II. 278.
Batammakas........... II. 503. 552.
invade the country of
the Bachapins......... II. 500.
Batsics. cscesscescoteoseeseseoesi len 20i7~
Batséeba (Dove, or Pigeon). II. 257.

Baviaan {see also Baboon), inhabits
rocky places ....secseonsceee 45.
Bavidan’s Kloof (see Genadendal).
106.

the Houtbay-kloof
formerly called so......... 61.
Tiver .....e00e ID. 114, 146.
Beads...... II. 407. 537. 568, 569.
Beans, cultivated by the Bacha-
PIUS ceccecevecseene IT. 527. 587.
how preserved at Litakun,
II. 520.

Beauty: want Of .cccccssesseene 415.
Becreeping cap .ecsesceecereee IL. 56.
Bees: Wild..........-. 376. II. 81.
Bee-eater, a bird.... 372. 464. 502.
Beer, of the Hottentots and Bacha-
PINS...ccccesseeee 564. II, 552.
Beetles; new species of.. 505. 464.

the carnivorous — kinds
found in the Transgariepine.
II. 528.

Beggars; Bachapin......... I. 387.
Begging: a mode of resisting the
importunities of....... II. 425.
Bekriip-muts, or hunting cap of
the Bushmen............ Il. 56.
Belfry: the kind usual in the
Colony ...cc0..ccccssseveene 128.
Bellows; description of a peculiar
kind seen at Litakun. II. 483.
Benguéla: the author’s intention
VelatiVe tO.s..cccsccsseeseee S11.
Bérends: a family of Hottentots.
3565.
the Hottentot Captain.
250. 255. 267. 529. 561.
481. 541. II. 4.
——— the Hottentot Captain : un-
expected meeting with him at
Litakun .......... IL. 465. 479.
Willem, joins the author’s
party on a Hippopotamus hunt.
578. 418. 4357.
Klaas; engaged to carry
letters to the Colony. 521.527.
555. 541.
Cébus; accompanies the
author from the Asbestos
Mountains to Graaffreynét
542. 545. 547. II. 148. 152.
219.
Bérg-haas (Mountain Hare)... 488.
Berg-river: the Little.... 129. 137.
the Great ...cccee. 129.
—— its ford, at
Burgher’s Drift........66.. 140.
its Ferry (Pont).
’ 178.
Berg Zwaluw (Mountain Swallow).
572. 501.
Bézem-riet (Broom-reed)...... 124.
Bichudnia ; the country of, defined.
581.
into.
If. 292.
Bichuanas, referred to the Caffre
Race’ ssvcccceseresscevevveers S82.

first entrance

GENERAL INDEX.

Bichuanas, remarks on the name.
II. 503.
usually called Caftres,
by the Hottentots .... II. 502.
nations, general charac-
CClsecescssecersesncseec colle D998
nations, advancement in
arts and manufactures. II. 596.
tribes; language. II. 295.
5035.

disregard for truth.
II. 504.

—-——— _ want of hospitality.
II. 549.
tobaccO..s...c.... Ll. 521.
Birds : 17, 18. 20. 24. 30. 186. 203.
213, 214. 222.255.244, 245,
246.257. 259. 265.265, 266.
270. 279. 283. 296. 505, 504.
318.525, 527.555, 356.538.
544.572.587.395, 394.426.
440. 464. 474. 501, 502. 549.
II. 41. 194, 195. 269. 529,

545, 346. 492.

the familiarity of some. 30.
singing in the night..... 504.
collected in 1811. ...... 550.
few found in the great arid
plains .........0... 288. II. 269.
Bladuwherg ....ccccsssecereee 25. 44,
Black-bark .......sseceee08 S17. 404.
Black River (see also Nugariep).
581.
different names.
591.
— first arrival at it. 589.
— probable origin of its
NAME T osescccsecseesecorssm ll 4 5.
Blacksmith at Litakun...... II. 482.
Blésbok; a species of antelope.
Il. 554, 335.
Blés-moll (White-faced Mole). 57.
Blight in corn: an instance of. 5354,
Blink-klip ; or, Shining Rock (see
also, Sibilo) ....sesee008 II. 255.
Bloem’s Kraal, in the Asbestos
Mountains ........ II. 6. 217.
Fountain ........... IJ. 249.
Jan; the robber: his his-
LONVs caceessetescesscosssetl goa 9:
Bloemtyd (Flower-season).... 222.
Bloodelyf Kafters (Naked Caffres).
436.
Boat: substitute used for it by the
NALIVES. cececssseseseesizcesacl 416.
Béekoe. (see also Béokoo, and
IBUKU: ieecsseseececsesecreesst 00:
azyn (Buku-vinegar). 479.
Boeri(Harmen)|.ccscsscceacessss) (81
Boere-Plein ........000. 15e
Boialloa,a fermented drink. IT. 552.
Boiling-pots, or Piitsas, found in
the plains of Litakun. II. 546.
Bokkeveld, Cold; its nature. 80,81.
higher than Réodezand.
150.
Karré, a view of... 210.
the Farther... 579. 581.

its

621

Boklookwé, an old Bachapin Kési.
II. 592. 562. 569.
or Stage-waggon.
76. 146.
Boénteberg (Spotted Hill)...... 262.
Boode (or Geréchtsboode), a mes-
SENET weveveeecceeevee 155. 241.
Book-making: the art of...... 584.
Béokoo (see also, Baku, and
Boekoe) .......... 596. II. 59.
the virtues of: recom-
MCNGEA rceccsvosescstaneseeet 47.08
VINCGAL see eeseeevevenece 479,
Boontjes Kraal (Bean Kraal); oc-
casion of its name ........ 94.
Boor: definition of the word. 87.
Boors (or Dutch farmers): various
examples of. 85. 87. 95. 117.
122, 126. 140. 174. 179, 180.
182. 184.190, 191. 194. 198—
206. 210, 211. 220. 222. 255,
254, 238, 241. 248, 249, 250.
275,274,275. U.95.104—108.
111.118. 125—127. 132. 135.
140. 149. 154. 157—160, 161,
162, 165. 165, 166. 170, 171.
173—175. 176—180. 182,183.
their journeys to Cape Town.
52. 92. 250, II. 115.
care of their oxen ...... 86.
— the mode in which a tra-
veller introduces himself at
their houses .,......ss00008 121.
—— hut, description of one... 198.
— hut: description of one in
the Karré, and Roggeveld.
237, 258.
— children: education of.. 199,
II. 114.
topics of conversation 117,118
an artifice respecting pasture.
223,
their respect for government
OTCETS| .cesesecesesnccesesece O41
—— their clothing ............ 245.
—— their prosperity under the
English 244,
and Bushmen, their hosti-
lity towards each other. II. 15.
50; 551.
cautions to be attended to,
in giving a general character
of them\e..ccsssee0r Jo. dl. 96.
and Hottentots; their dift
ferences. II. 161, 162.164.179.
Béschberg; or, Béschbergen, (Tim-
ber Mountain)... II. 114. 146.
Bosch Duif, (Wood Pigeon)... 501,
502.
Béschjesveld ........ssee000- II. 121,
Boschman; see, Bushman.
uyentjes, small eatable
bulbs. . ..... 417. 548. II. 26.
Bosjes or Heaths .........000088 25.
Bosjesveld; its name.... ...-.. 119.
nature Of.....sec008. 120.
Bosjesman: see Bushman.
BOtYiVer!scccssccstessscssesecee ss

Bélderwagen ;

95.

622

Botanic garden at Cape Town;
PVOPOSEM .secersceseeeeeseee 24.
Botanical boundaries ..... 208. 324.
Il. 475.
features of a country,
change with its mineralogy.
208. 507. II. 100.
specimens: a new mode
of preserving them, when the
regular mode is not practica-
Ble ectaseacssasnetinscdceesessitt OO:
specimens ; a package of
them, lost in a manner never
accounted for .....seeeeeee 250.
specimens: the trouble
of drying them ............ 295.
Botany of the Cape; its profusion
and great variety ..... 16.18.
of the Cape Colony: its
featULES ...ececoeeeeeeee IL. 146.
of the Cape Colony. (See
also Comparative Botany.)
- of the Cape Peninsula.
154.
of African plains...... 536.
of the Nuakketsi country.
Il. 475.
a remarkable change in:
at the Karré-pass ......... 208.
and Geology, connected.
II. 100.
and Geography, connected.
II, 211.
desiderata in. 212. 255.454.
Béterboom (Butter tree)...... 192.
Boulder stones; a remarkable kind
Offcscsesccccesesss osscblls A5sn4 4s
Boundary of the Colony: a law
TESPECTING it ..eeceeeeeeeeee 162.
of the Colony, ill-de-
fiNEUeeesesecccvarcescsae WL 185,
Boven-land, the term explained. 88.
Bowls of the Hottentots; the mode
of making them .......... 406.
Bows of the Bushmen...... II. 198.
Boys; Bachapin: their employ-
MENfesscccsanessecsecesoe Ls 5 57.
Bracelets, of the Bachapins. IT. 572.
Brackish River.........0.. Rot: PAI)
Brakke Rivier .......s600. 261. 289.
oo an unexplored river,
improperly so called. (See
also, Friendly River.)... II. 19.
Brak-béschjes, a plant ...... II. 21.
Brandewyn-bosch.......s000000. 564.
Brand Valléy, or Brandt Valléy: its
hot-spring described. 21. 124,
125.
Brandy: reasons for concealing it
from the savages... .. II. 395.
of the Colony ..... 80. 119.
bush....cscscseceseeress S64;
Brass: how denominated by the

Bachapins ........+000 Il. 575.
Bread: Hottentots’; a plant of sin-
gular growth ......, ee I. 147.

of the Bichuanas .... II. 586.
Breede Rivier (Broad River). 104.
126, 185. 189.

GENERAL INDEX.

Brewery : a villa near Cape Town. | Bushes of diminutive size...... 514.

35.
Bréy-paal; an apparatus used in
preparing leathern thongs. 351.

Brieskap; a ford through the
Gariep ..erccceccsscsscerees SOT.
Briqua: meaning of the word. 364.
II. 505.

Briqualand............ 486. II. 457.
Briquas, (see also, Bachapins) first
discovered ....... II. 273. 559.
language (see also, Sich-
MANA) seen. scvesccsccisessesece —2OL
British inhabitants, at the Cape.
77, 78.

Museum. 139.385. II. 336.
some of the ani-
mals presented to it. 159. 342.

If. 278. 501, 502. 3554.

Bruyn, Jacob De ..... 184. II. 479.
Brityntjes Hoogte ......... I. 114.
Bryony; a new kind of ...... 547.
Baa kaapi (Say it again). II. 436.
Buffalo of Southern Africa... 578.
If, 420.

described’ ..:........ Il. 249.
one pursued by Speelman
and Keyser ............ II. 268.
——— thorn. 317. 404. II. 20. 29.
Butlers. cascaccacsccwcssocees lio oO!
Birffelbout......cssesscorseesseees SOS.
Biffeldoorn ...... 317. 404. I. 20.
Baffels kraal, in the Vale of Hex-
PIV EI yeoreosercecesccceseaness
rivier ...... ae Soda
Baik-plank .......cecseeceseeeees 149.
Baiten districten: meaning of the
WOLGSgesesecessacuqesetem lle li2a:
Buk6bi, or Bichuana Bread. II. 586.
Baku (see also Béokoo, and
Béekoe): representation of the
Plant ..cececcscucesscanesesen, 476:

a kind of scented powder,
much used by the Hottentot
tribes........ 556.396. Il. 59.
— its medicinal qualities, re-
commended to notice ... 479.
a kind of it, made from a
fragrant species of Croton.
. 596. II. 265.

Bulb-bag, described ......... II. 57.
Bulbous plants: uncertainty of
their flowering ..........0. 155.
plants: the rapidity of their
Vegetation ..eccoccerscsvee Ll. 5.
Bullets: the different kinds used
during the journey. II.73.317.
Bullet-pouch .......... 167. II. 286.
Burgers: Barend: description of
his dwelling on the Snow
Mountains ............. I. 173.
Burghers: three sent by the land-
drost of Graaffreynét. II. 134.

of the Colony... II. 120.

ten murdered by the
Cafftes .c cesses scecoooes) Mle Mots
Burial-places of the Bachapins.
If. 522.

Burning the pastures: its effects
and utility......ece008 1E7. 419. |

If. 110.

Bushmen. — The following refer-
ences under this head, are
given for the purpose of collect-

ing together the principal parts

of the information scattered
throughout these volumes ;
and from which a knowledge

of the manners and general
character of these tribes, may

be drawn.
Boéschman, Béschjesman,
or Boésjesman, (sometimes

termed Saqua by the Hotten-
tots): meaning, and applica-
tion of the words........ 64.
one of the tribes border-

ing on the Colony ....... 77.
one of the ingredients in

their arrow-poison ....... 192.
Tame. 227. 535. II. 110.
Captains: their autho-
sovccceccccsscssens 227. 250.
the author’s first meet-
ing With «....s00c000. 227. 230.
- frequently attack the
shepherds of the Colonists.
i 238.

an attempt to establish

,a Mission among them, at the
Zak (Sack) river ....c000. 281.
precautions against them

on entering their country. 281.
their stature and _per-

sonal appearance, described.
291. II. 212.

cautions to strangers
travelling through their coun-
ETY cecrsccceccecccccscvseccsee LI4,
Goedhart," a chief, who

vowed perpetualwarfareagainst
the Colonists .....sseesese08 297
often conceal the situ-

ation of their kraals...... 515.
II. 284.

one of the means of
gaining their good-will... 526.
language, compared with

that of the Koras ......... 545.
the uncertain boundaries

of their country .......... 546.
a mode in which they
frequently redress their wrongs.
373.

their customary perqui-
sites, when strangers hunt in
their territory ....ss0000. 579.
their pitfalls for catching

wild animals......... 586. 403.
sign of their distrust in
SETANGETS .csscccecscersceves FSS.
a party receiving pre-

SENS sececcosevecccccsseveses O90.
a tale of their barbarous
treatment of a prisoner of war.
391. 392.

language: its great
variety of dialects......... 407.

rity

Bushmen: their superstitious no-
TIONS ....eesseseesesecoreesen 408
cutting up a hippopota-

TUS weseessearcceccccscssenee 413,
their food often con-
sists of small wild roots... 417.
————_ liberty and symmetry of
FIZUIE....sececsescsrcsssverse 422.

— dismiss all mistrust of a

stranger, as soon as they be-
come convinced of his peace-
able disposition... 424. II. 48.
instance of expertness,
in striking fish with a hassa-
Gayeesscerctcescatausessceeses| 224.
precautions against a sur-

prise from them at night. 454.
their signals by night.
454, II. 196.

kraal: a visit to... 435.
——— much feared by the
Kafletsiscercccestreesestoeeo 450.
their probable notions
respecting robbery ....... 443.
often unjustly suspected.
455.

a player on the Gorah.
459. 465.

— the extreme poverty of
: one of their kraals ........ 456.
——— deplorable ignorance of
SOME vevescvecsccsccsesscseee 460,
their music. 460. II. 66.
87.

a tale, respecting two
DrotheFs ....ceccersseeseseve 461,
the cause of their being
dreaded by the neighbouring
TiN Ccscassscessesescsscresess O00:
arrows: the nature of
their poison ..+..060. 559, 540.
——-— Country: geographical
remarks OM it .corsseseeseee 580.
TRACE Fessccescsssecossss DO2e
PlpCvevescscerseesss) Lad,
———-— reflections on their state
of poverty and hardship. II. 57.
kraal ; description of one.
Il. 53.55, 56.

their general character.
Il. 54. 599.

longevity ......... IL. 57.
marriage customs. II. 58.
mode of mourning. II.61.
expertness in using the
DOWhesessescrecsesece LNs Ol, 62:
dancing... II. 63, 64. 87.
hid 200.
— not incapable of grati-
tude......00-. Il. 68. 86. 447.
activity in driving cattle.
ile Wile

and Colonists at vari-
ANCC.seeveeee IT. 112. 132. 201.
of the Nugariep. II. 126.
mistrust of the Colonists.
I. 141.
their alarm at a troop of
HOLSEMEN seoeseeveveveee IL. 187.

GENERAL INDEX.

Bushmen; their robberies of cattle. |

II. 189. 197. 203.

— their arms. II. 198, 199.
proofs of their expedi-
tious travelling......... II. 218.
a lighter-coloured and
taller tribe of them... II. 268.
an improvident people.

If. 289.

farewell remarks on quit-

ting their country...... I. 290.
— their mode of drinking.
Me 514.

— Keyser’s anecdotes of
HEM Wersssevpevecsveseeoq ll 5a
some of the names given
to them, by the Hottentots
and. Koras.....se..e.0008 Il. 531.
in the country of the
Bachapins ..........-+6 II. 541,
the state of society among
THEM sccerscreversereesse MN 547.
called Baréba by the
Bachapins .........00.. IL. 577.
child, seen at Litdkun;
nearly starved to death If. 472.

and Bachapins: their

hostility towards each other.

II. 556. 542.

—— — arrows: amode of curing
the wounds made by them.

II. 581.

Bushwomen: their personal ap-
pearance and manners.... 291.
420.

probable cause of their

early appearance of old age.
oa) heey

appearance of some
far advanced in years..... 460.
II. 195.

singular conformation
observed in them. 216. II. 60.
Bush-girl; one pretty, and vain.
415.420, 422.

Bustard; a species of: called
Koorhaan, or Knérhaan... 186.

a small species, peculiar to

the Karr ......cceseceseees 255.

a new species, called Kori.

593.

Butchers of Cape Town: their
mode of purchasing cattle in

the grazing districts...... 201.
— Hall, in Cape Town... 74.
Butcher-birds, or Fiseal-birds. 502.
II. 545.

Butter: its use among the Bacha-
PINS. css sesevscoesssercoee! LI. -595.
tree (Boterboom) ..... 192.
Buttons: their use and value at
Lita&kun ...se.cceeseeeee I. 573.
——— stolen by the Bachapins.
If. 422.

—

——

C.

Caéama: see Kaama.

Caftres, or Kaffers; application of
the word in its more extended
meaning..... II. 502. 529, 550.

their mode of warfare. 494.

——— Race: general observations
on it... II. 529. 548. 582. 599.

——— Proper... 64. 582. II. 530.

———- extent of the coun-

try inhabited by them.... 77.

580, 581.
—— their language com-

DaleCpreecsscesececcecees ll nD OZ.

their features and

personal appearance... II. 529.

warfare between

them and the colonists. IT. 8.

111. 119, 120, 121.
some living at Gena-

ReSsleavisssisssecsivssec! Lill’,

a lusus-naturee, per-

fectly white............ II..171.

emigrants into the

Cisgariepine, and to the banks

of the Gariep... 64. 185. 225.
227. 278. 287. 298. II. 52.

the author’s

first meeting with them... 268.

attack and

plunder the Bachapins. II. 542.

Red: called Tammakas, or

Batammakas ..... LI. 225. 532.

AE st O Os

Corn, described... II. 586.

Finch, described... II. 492.

Calabash, or Sikkwo ....... II. 587.

Calcareous incrustations ...... 454.

substratum indicated by

AIplalteesctsccesesstereese Oo

substratum of the Trans-
gariepine... II. 510,511. 355.

Calculations: astronomical... 204.

Calebas: Wilde .......0. .sc000. 278.

Caledon: the Earl of...... 12. 169.

I. 494.

village, and district of.

75, 76. 95.
Camel-Corner..........00e6. II. 278
Camelopard, or Giraffe. 482. 543.
IL. 282. 356. 568.

— first discovery of its
FOOtStEPS ....eereesereee LI. 248.

— a skeleton of one,
HOUNALsttrscdiccnsece ell o7 8.

Camelthorn, or Camelopard-thorn.

389. 450. 453. II. 292. 506.

412. 465. 526. 595,

————— described ..... II. 240.
representations of.

IL. 560.

——-——-— new species of... 589.

Il. 442.

Camps Bay, or Van Camps Bay.

16. 45.

an excursion to.... 27.

———— Kloof .....secceeveeve 15.

——_

dendal

624

Camp of the Hottentot regiment
at Wynberg ....ccccssssseee 60.
CAmtoos Friver.....ecceeeeee IL. 172.
Canari-byter; a bird.......... 18.
Canary-bird .......e0.ss0006 20. 502.
Candles: difficulty of making them,
in the Interior .......s600. 552.
Cannibal, a name not to be applied
to the Bachapins...... Il. 478.
Canoe: the “ wooden-horse” used
as a substitute for it, by the
NNALIVES )..esesecoccevessecess, 416.
Canopus; a beautiful star, visible
in Southern Africa ....... 80.
Cape of Good Hope; first view of,
AL SCA cevececscevverecseccees 1.
—— discovery of.
75.
remarks on the
geographical abuse of the name.
580.
—— Colony, taken by the English.
77.
its character as a settle-
Me izeesecssestessese aconddor 82.
its increasing popula-
TION «0. .ceseeseeeee II, 144. 549,
— Flats, defined ............ 58.
Town, viewed from the sea. 9.
remarks on its situation.
53.
latitude and longitude
Olftsterscccteseesceseesecsss OOO.
a general description of.
70—82.
Mollémmi proposes to
makea journey thither. I. 537.
3549, 417. 425. 479.
Serrakiitu invited to visit
It -cecccosscseesescesccsors II. 440.
Botany (see also, Botany):
remarkable features in ... 182.
208.
Capéc-berg, seen from Table Moun-
tAliicccssecsccessevvenssersersiia 4:
Capéc-végel (Cotton Bird)... 214.
Captains of Bushman and Hotten-
tot kraals; their authority
acknowledged by the Cape
Government .......s.e00008 227.
Hottentot: account of one.
551.
——— the title of; as understood
by the bordering tribes. II. 436.
Carbondadtijes ........2... 219. 514.
Card-playing: a Hottentot game,
SOMA Ed icesccsecessssesee2OOe
Carp: aspecies Of ....secce000. 280.
Carrot Fountain ............ I. 184.
Cartridges made by the party.
II. 246, 285.
Carving in wood, by the Bacha-
PINS. .cacccoereccsesseviese) LL 595,
Castle, at Cape Town... 11. 26.73.
Casper’s kraal...........006. ID. 259.
Cat, the domestic .......... II. 524.
a new species of...... II. 592.
Cats-eye: a beautiful species of
stone resembling it....... 354.

—_

——

—_—_—

GENERAL INDEX.

Catalogues; Local: their utility.
154.
Catalogus geographicus... 18. 556.
II. 279.
Caterpillars: a new mode of pre-
serving them.........+ we 473.
Cattle; a large herd stolen by the
Bushmen ..........0.60 IL. 197.
— of the Colony: their in-
CFEASE secsececeeseeeeeee I. 144.
of the Bachapins... II. 524.
Place of the Boors; (see
Leg-plaats) ........see0ee88 207.
——— Stations of the Bachapins.
II. 476.
Cavern at Sensavan......... II. 257.
Celery, naturalized at the Kosi
Fountain .....sccccceeee II. 280.
SPLING..ccereoccseserece 267s
Chaasi, a Bachapin... II. 561. 569.
Chalcedony........e.. I. 215, 240.
Chamois of the Alps......... I. 23.
Champani, a Bachapin. II. 409. 416.
426. 428. 450.
Charcoal made by the Bichuanas.
Il. 485.
Chert ...0.cccsesssserseseseee IT. 240,
Chesnut: the Wild.........0. 65.
Chicken-thief (Kiikendief); akind
OfpKiteBecossecsvecassoseesss e002:
Children: their amusive power.
II. 455.
———— of Bushmen: their timi-
GityeedessccccoswesesomlilaiaOs 598

IME a ccecacceencsccsdectseaseeaoon)

Christemensch (Christians): appli-
cation of the word, in the
Wolonytececseseiteess eo ells
(Christians): advan-
tage taken of the name. II.156.
286. 467.
Christianity: the genuine spirit of.
IE. 290.
Christian names, of the Colonists.
191. II. 126.
Christmas day in Africa, contrasted
with Europe......... 495, 496.
Chakuru (Rhinoceros) .... II. 546.
Churches in Cape Town. 25. 72, 73.
in the Colony ...... 76.
at Gendadendal......... 106.
——— at Tilbagh ............ 128.
——— at Stellenbésch. 156. 145.
——— at Klaarwater ... 350. 552.
355. 567.
——— Stephanus’s............ 562.
Lutheran: its latitude de-
termined .......0e0. Fanconi, Gea
at Graffreynét .... II. 144.
Cisgariepine, anatural division. 524.
— geographically defined.
581.
its mountains. IT. 100,
133.
———— a remarkable charac-
teristic of it............ I. 211.
Civilization of the aboriginal in-
habitants of Southern Africa.
109—111. 224, 554.3552. 558.

422, 483. Il. 560. 594, 596.

Clanwilliam: District of ...... 75.
Clay: a strong blue............ 507.
slate ....... 553. II. 511. 355.
Clematis, a climbing plant growing
Wild.....0ee0ee0 594. II. 5, 146.
Climate of the Cape ........... 80.
—— of the Transgariepine. 568.
II. 527.
Cloth-stone (Déekstein) ...... 555.
Clothing of South-Africans: con-
clusions drawn from it. II. 373.
Clusters of houses at Litakun.
II. 441.
Cébus Bérends (see also Bérends).
II. 148, 152.
Cocksfoot-grass; a species _ of:
growing wild in the Asbestos
Mountains ..........e0+6. IL. 5.
Coffee: a substitute for it .... 566.
readily drunk by the Bacha-
PINS ....e0eeeeeeeee ID, 574, 575.
Cold districts of the Colony... 81
254,
Land (Céudveld)..... If. 172.
Station ...........-... I. 129,
weather of the Colony. 253.
254, 257. II. 128. 151.
of the Transgariepine.
HH. 299, 568.
Collections in Natural History. vii.
vili. 18. 24. 51. 46. 151. 1335.
250. 505. 511. 525. 556. 550.
II. 226, 227.
Colonial customs, in travelling
through the Colony. 121. 141.
at departure on a
long journey, and at return.
175. 528. II. 2.
respecting names
ofthe Boors. 191. II. 126.158.
mode of riding, in
the distant districts ....... 205.
of the early colo-
nists on meeting on the road.
221.
at dinner.... 240,
of washing feet.
II. 122.
respecting bed-
CiNgyeevcsesncccseeces ell elon
Hottentots: remarks on
their supposed decrease. in
NUMDbEYS ...eeeeeereeee LI. 549.
names of animals and plants,
often carelessly applied. 143.
229.965. II. 25. 250.
Secretary’s office...... 162.
Colonists: wandering or nomadic.
275, 274, 275.
their general character
often given, either with_par-
tiality or with prejudice. II. 96.
their sentiments, with
respect to the Bushmen.
If. 112.152.
———— their true interest, with
respect to the Hottentots.
II, 164.

oe

——

Colonization northward of the
Roggeveld.....esceee eveeve 284.
— on the banks of the
Gariep ...ccccccccsecsceseee TID
along the ‘ Friendly
River’ .......2..6- II. 32—103.
Coloquintida; Wild: the prepara-
ION Of ..-cccccccccecsceesee’ 126.
Combustion: spontaneous. IT. 170.
Comets, seen.......e.eee0e6 160. 451.
Commando, or a body of armed
Boors....... I. 111. 119. 201.
Commerce: benefits attendant on
It ..cnnsceoes coveessoees LI, 541.
Comparative Botany. 182. 243. II.
_ 259.

Comupaebere, or Spitskop; the
ighest peak in the Colony.

II. 125.

Compass rendered useless by ferru-
gineous rocks ..... seseeeee 277.
renders important service
to the party, in a stormy night
502.

obtains the confidence of
the Hottentots........... 467.
Variation of. 266. 271.375.
565. II. 525.
Composite-flowers: nearly all the
plants of the Roggeveld, are of

this order .....+ssecccecseee 284.
Concert, in Cape Town ....... 21.
Bachapin............ II. 410.
Of frOgS.....ecccececceeee 509.
Constantia: visit to ....... 61—63.
Céntreberg seen from Table Moun-
taIN sn Gecscesoecssesesssesseen 44,
Convulsions of children; a fre-
quent disorder at Klaarwater.
371.

Céodoo; see Kéodoo.
Cookery of the Hottentots. II. ss.
262.
Coots overseers 197.265. II. 546,
Copper ....000. eeeeseee ID. 532. 575.
Copper-ore .......sscereeeeee II. 568.
Cord, made from rushes ...... 114.
made from Acacia-bark. 405.
Corn: its. productiveness in the
Cape Colony ......... II. 144.
-——— cultivated in the Transga-
Tiepine ....0006 354.5356. 491.
—— of the Bachapins, described.
Il. 586.
superstition of the Bachapins
respecting it, while growing.
481.
—— difficulty of obtaining it in
Bichuania ............. II. 414.
-fields at Litakun .... IT. 527.
—— -hoes of the Bachapins. IT.434.
—— -sieves at Litakun ... II. 455.
—— -houses of the Bachapins.
II. 521.
-jars of the Bachapins. II. 445.
515. 520.
-eater; abird. 246.259. II.91.
Cornélis (see also, Goeiman) : his

VOL. II.

GENERAL INDEX.

conduct during the journey.
II. 155. 156. 282. 286. 457. 467.
Cornélis: his disobedience. I. 460
—462. 469.
Corneous additamenta of animals.
II. 76.
Cosmetics of the Hottentots and
Bachapins. 596. II. 59. 256.
: 445.
Cotton-plant introduced into the
extratropical part of Southern
Africa, by the author..... 366.
-like seed: a shrub pro-
CUCING It ....cosvevceesceere S21.
-bird (Capéc-végel)... 214.
Céudveld, an extremely cold coun-
try... 81. 254. II. 172. 176.
Coughs observed on Sneeuwberg.
II. 126.
Courage: an emblem of it. II. 192.
Cousin (Neef ): a word of frequent
use in the Colony.......« 499.
Covetousness of the Bachapins.
II. 595. 397.
Cowan, Dr. his fatal expedition
into the Interior of Africa. 50.
232. 498. II. 156. 276. 478.
inquiries made by the
author to ascertain the fate of
his party ....ses00ee00 II. 494,
and his party: their fate;
according to the tales of
Mattivi, and Muldja. II. 496,
497. 503—506.
Cowry shells; reflections on seeing
them worn by Bushmen. 444,
291.
Crabs found in the rivers of the
Roggeveld......ccccsscsevee 272.
Crane: the large blue......... 508.
Creation: harmony of... 225. 505.
Cricket: a species producing an
extraordinary noise ...... 527.
Cross; a beautiful constellation of
the southern hemisphere... 81.
Crow White (Witte Kraai); a
species of vulture... 338. 502.
Crows ; their familiarity. 257. 481.
502. II. 525.
Crowhead (Kraai-kop); a Bush-
man captain ...... II. 85. 188.
Cryptogamic plants, widely dis-
seminated........eeeeee+ LI, 209.
Cubic pyrites of iron ....,..... 202.
Cuckoo: the Golden; or Green-
and-gold .....ssecece0. 464. 502.
Capido Kok; a Hottentot of Klaar-
water. 581. II. 224, 255. 238.
288.
the meeting with him
at Kési-Fountain. II. 274—277.
Curry, a dish much eaten in the
Colonygercsevereeceseceoceset 90:
Currency, compared with sterling
MONEY ceccscccccvcvcersesees 79.
Custom-house in Cape Town. 74.
Cylindric medium, in the art of
drawing in perspective; ex-
plained......ccccesseooee LI. 448,

L

625

D.

Dag (Dak): a common salutation.
113. 221. II. 85. 134, 231.

Dakka, or dried Hemp-leaves: used
for smoking instead of tobacco.

366. II. 4, 7. 85.

— Wilde (Leonotis Leonurus),
or Wild Hemp .......0s0s000 15e
Dak-riet, or Thatching-reed. 25, 26.
Dal van Josaphat ......csesesere 139.
Dammaras.......sccsscosseccseees 582.
Dammara Country .......00008 579.
Dammaraqua: on the word. II.303.
Dance: Riizo’s.........e0e0 II. 87.
Dances of the Colonial Hottentots.
II. 396.

Dancing, at a Bushman _kraal.
II. 63. 87. 200.

absurd doctrine respecting.
II. 288.

of the Bachapins.. II. 410.
598.

general remarks on. II, 413.
— — of boys at Litakun. II. 438.
—— -rattles, of the Bushmen.
II. 65. 89.

-rattles of the Bachapins.
II. 572.

Dandy: a Hottentot ...... II. 102.
Dandies at Litakun......... II. 573.
Daniel Kaffer, or Old Daniel, a.
Hottentot ...... 553. II. 235.

‘his character. II.152.
219.

Danser, a Caffre chief ......... 186.
Das, or Dasje; an animal resem-
bling a rabbit, and inhabiting
rocky places .......seeeee0. 265.
Dassenberg .....sseccsecsoeees 25, 44.
Dassen Island .........scseceeseee 44,
Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera) 24.

Dates, rectified by astronomy.
Il. 343.
Dauw, or Mountain horse. 139.265.
Il. 515.

Deer and Stags (Cervi) compared
with Antelopes........6004. 512.
Delagoa Bay ......... 582. II. 532.
Deserts, not wholly destitute of
picturesque appearance.. 288.
Deserter: melancholy fate of one.
498
Despatches: a mode of conveying
them through the Colony. 93.
Devil’s Mountain ...... 38. 41. 43.
Dew in the Transgariepine. II. 524.
Dialect ; Dutch: of the Hottentots.
13. 87. II. 437.
of the Bushman language.
407. 581,
Digging-stick, described. II. 29.198.
Dignity: affected, and real. II.368.
Disorders of the Bachapins. II. 580.
Disselboom, or Pole of a Cape
WAGZON eeecccovesereee 150. 180.
Distances in travelling: how ascer-
tained. 90. 289. II, 51. 298.
516. 541, 342,

626

Districts of the Colony... 75. 579,
580. II. 144. 549.
"Diver, a bird......seccccssssssces 440.
—— anantelope. See Duiker.
Déekstein, or Cloth-stone.... 333.
Dogs: common domestic. 237.247.
349, 381, 382. 584. 401. II. 2.
185.
remarks on their various
barkings ....-sscceesees IE. 244,
remarks on their attachment
tO MAN....ceeeseee I]. 245. 524.
— and Jackals .... 464. II. 285.
— attack a lion......... II. 191.
of the Bushmen.. II. 56. 198.
of the Bachapins. II. 474.524.
the Wild: a new species of
Hyena ....... 456. II. 99. 229.
Dollars: Cape. See Rix-Dollars.
SSPANISN scccccceccssanes, Oe
Déorn-boom (Thorn-tree). See
Karré-doorn ; Witte-doorn ;
Cape Acacia... 195. 211. 213.
517. II. 244,
Doorn River, in the Karr6. 211.213.
in the Transgariepine.
II. 244.
Doves: Turtle...... 213. 501, 502.
Guinea...... 502. II. 257.
Downs, near Cape Town.. 26. 58.
84. 147.
Drakenstein... 138. 144. 178, 179.
Drawing: the art of: as connected
with the views of a traveller.
336. 411. II. 214. 591. 561.
562, 563.
in perspective: its prin-
ciples explained ...... II. 448.
Driédoorn, or Threethorn: a shrub
of remarkable growth.... 299.
II. 23. 41.
Drooge-tyd (Dry-season)... II. 410.
Dréssers, or Runaways..... II. 159.
Drostdy; the Residence of the
Drost, or Landdrost. 128.135.
146. II. 145.
Drum, of the Bushmen. II. 65. 87.
Dry-Mountains, or Karréebergen.
293.
Dry weather: its effects on vege-
tAtiON .ssccovscceseseeees LT. 506.
Dubbeltjes: a coin so called. 78.
-doorn ; a Colonial name
sometimes given to the Cen-
tOPOdIUM .eevecceoerecesees 540.
a Colonial name
sometimes given to Arctopus
echinatus, and some species of
Tribulus.
Ducatéon; a Dutch silver coin
worth six shillings English. 248.
Duck: the Crimson-billed ... 283.
II. 546.
—— Wild ...........00006 197. 558.
Duif: Bosch, (Wood-Pigeon) 502.
—— Namaqua (Namaqua Dove)
or Cape Pigeon .......... 502.
Toértel (Turtle Dove). 501, 502.

GENERAL INDEX.

Duiker (or Duyker): a species of
Antelope «......e.2. 187. 202.

a bitd ...sssceccseevoeses 440.
Duivelsberg, at Cape Town......26.
Duivels-kop; a mountain..... 89.
Dankerhéek-berg, (Dark-corner
Mountath).2e..054sc00sese ll te
Dupléssis, in the -Bésjesveld, his
MIStAKE ..sccssssesoreeserove 122,
Dust: columns of; lifted into the
air by a whirlwind ....... 507.
Dutch inhabitants...... 21. 58. 78.
II. 96. 107. 164, 167.
language, necessary to a
travelléf vicscsccecs.cccreee 15.
names: general precepts
for the pronunciation of them.
15. 331.

names of places in the
Colony may be Anglicised.
100.

money compared with Eng-
lishiescocssececscclacossecesessAmn7G.
weight, compared with
English ......sseccsssseseees 154.

Du Téit’s house and farm in the
Bosjesveld (or Boschjesveld).
117, 118.

Kloof, near the Paarl.

89.

Dayker, a bird ..........seeeeeee 440.
or Dufker: description of.
187. 202.

Dwaal river .....ssccsseseesreeves 277.
Rivier’s Poort ......... 279.
river; rocks at ..... II. 43.
Dye: yellow ..ccccccsserrseseee 212,

E.

Ear-plate, of the Bachapins, de-
scribed..........6 IL. 570—572.
Earthenware of the Bachapins.
Il. 594,
Earth Hog (Aardvark) 342. II. 97.
Earthquakes in 1806........... 569.
IN 1809...ececceeee 27.
—— in 1811... 26. 58. 157
—160. 169. 194.
the roaring of a lion
mistaken for it ...... II. 206.
Eastern Districts .......sese0006 581.
Eclipse of Jupiter’s Satellites, ob-
SETVEd wrsccssccscsesercevee 484,
Eels: a remarkable fact respecting
them ......cesccceccssecevece 425,
Herste Rivier .........0ss.00. 84. 146,
Egyptian sacred Vulture...... 358.
Eisenrahm, a mineral ......... 414.
Eland, or Elk (more properly
Kanna; which see); a species
of Antelope. 267. 309. 311,
312, 315. 482. IT. 23. 190.
194. 2735. 591.
Eland’s Kloof; one of the moun-
tAIN-PASSES.....00eeeeseseere 88s
Valley, or Elk’s Pond; in
the Cisgariepine .......... 299.

Elands Valley, or Fountain; in
the Transgariepine. 333. 355.
477, 482.
vogel (Eland-bird) ... 245.
Elk. See Eland, or Kanna.
Elze, Roode, a tree ......s.0008 142,
Witte’ i..0..cesccswenaesey “14S,
Electrical phenomenon....:... 519.
Elephant tramples a man to death.
201. 501.
abound in the Interior.
II. 559.
-hunts.376. 481. II. 466.
578.
tusk seen at Kram6ri’s.
Il. 446.
River.. 80. 96. 580, 581.
———— ACACIA vesscsccerseans’s 256.
Elephantiasis ............... II. 580.
Emigration to Southern Africa.
76. 274, 275. Il. 559.
Hints on. —See a vin-
dication of this pamphlet,
appended to the first volume.
14,
Engelsche Drift ............ II. 214.
———— Heer isserve I. 456.
England compared with other
COUNEHICS ...sce00ee00008 IL. 281.
letters to..... 510. II. 478.
English inhabitants in the Cape
Colony ............ 78. II. 142.
language (in 1815) little
known, excepting in Cape
Town, and Albany ....... 14.
names of places may, in
some cases, be substituted for
Dutch «...c.ccceseccessveves 99.
orthography, reasons for
notadoptingiit for the Sichuana
language ...s000..e0e008 Il. 297.
plants, naturalized in Africa,
37. 340. 544, 545. II. 296.
Ford «s,s... II. 10.214.
Englishman: the price of being
ONE vevecccceveasevcccsereveee 259
Enthusiasm ; religious: its effects.
358. 462,
Entrails of animals, used for neck-
laceS..seccecceseseseseoee LL. 209.
Epidemic complaint, in the Colony.
II. 157. 141. 148.
Equal Pass .....scessesceseesees 261,

Europe and Africa, contrasted.
495, 496.

European and African, contrasted.
IL. 445,

luxuries: probable senti-
ments of the savage tribes
respecting them ...... II. 440.
Evaporation; its effects, to bodily
feeling: icc. csccsccseoceeeecese OS 7s
Evergreen plants ............ II. 11,
Exaggeration: the art of... II. 368.
Exchange, built at Cape Town.
74,

mercantile: the rate of,

in 1810. and 1823, 79. II. 540.

Exotic plants and flowers, at the
Gapersicdcrsvesseetsscoseee, 22°

Exports of the Colony. 57. 79. 126.
204. 429. II. 175, 176. 539.
568.

F,

Farms in the Colony: their origi-
MAIVEXTEN Es cossescocesesesse! 716s
Farmers in the Colony. See Boors,
or Boers.
Faisant (Pheasant), a kind of Par-
EMA ZC)sseccesecccsesitessssess 270.
Falcon: a species of ........... 594.
the Little Red......... 558.
False Bay ......sssessesee 46. 86, 87.
the Downs of......... 44.
Feather-stick : its. important use.
II. 579.
Female character of the Bachapins.
II. 565.
Ferry, over the Berg river ... 178.
Fever: amode of treating it. II. 78.
Fiddle: one made by Speelman.
499.
absurd doctrine respecting
Lbgeeass sacssecera-cesceecemller 258.
Field-commandant, (Veld-comman-
dant) .....06..... 250. II. 120.
Field-cérnet. (See also, Veld-cor-
nét.) 76. 174. 188. 191. 227.
238. 241. 248. II. 108. 119.
127. 132.
Fig: Hottentot .......ccccee 54,
— marygold. See Hottentot Fig.
— tree: aspecies of.......... 492.
Finch: new species of... 214. 440.
II. 269.
——— a remarkable species of.
; II. 402.
Fire-arms: the ultimate effect of a
free use of them in a coun-
try abounding in game. IT. 525.
Fire-places, at Litakun ..... II. 518.
Fire-wood: its scarcity in the vici-
nity of Cape Town, and a hint
for remedying it ......... 54.
scarcity of it, in the vici-
nity of Hottentot settlements.
116.
a sort which burns when
QTCEN .cascccccccsecesceseoeee 176.
— -stick, of the Bachapins,
described.........se00. II. 579.
First river (Eerste Rivier)...... 84.
Fiscdal-vogels(Fiscal-birds). II. 545.
Fiscal: the office of ........6066 78.
Fish, in Cape Town ........00068 79.
the Yellow ......... 262. 280.
—— the Flat-head............. 425.
~ —— River in Great Namaqua-land.
579.
the Great. 100. 575. 579.
Flag: English, hoisted on the jour-
ney.... II. 425, 426. 429, 450.
Flat-head ; a fish, described... 425.

GENERAL INDEX.

Fleas: how avoided by Hottentats.
II. 240.

Flint: akind of .,.....e00«+ I. 261.
Floors, of the Boors’ houses. 105.
of the Bachapin houses.
II. 517. 519.
Flower-gardens at the Cape... 22.
seasons in the Karro. 222.
Flycatcher: a species of ...... 502.
Fontein (Fountain); a word much
used in the Colony ...... 259.
Food of various nations: remarks
Oligeenentsostrscenoseqerce) Li god:
Fording a river: the dangers of.
90. 140, II. 215.

Fortuyn; Willem: an industrious
Hottentot ...... 335. II. 217.
Fransche-héek (French Corner).
144.

Freezing Station ....sssseceeee 257-
French settlers in the Colony.
Ki. 144.

Friendly river. II. 44.91. 94. 186.
210.

Frogs, in the Karrée river .... 271.
a concert Of .....00reeeee8 509.
anew species of.,.... II. 32.
Frost ...... 566.370. II. 174. 259.
Fruits: wild, eatable....... 54. 587-
II. 588.

in the gardens of the
Colony ..ercosseseveeeee 79, 80.
Fuel; a peculiar species made use
of, on Sneeuwberg. II. 114.
126.

Fullers’ earth ........e+e0eee II. 98.
Funguses of rare occurrence in the
regions of the Interior. 594.
Furs of the Colony... 57. II. 175.

G.

Ganna-bosch, (see also Kanna).
267. II. 115.

tag Miesarsnsveseress sso.
Gans. Wilde (Wild Goose). 265.
Garden; the public: at Cape Town.
24, 73.

of the Hottentots at Ge-
Nadendal ........seceeveeeee 114.
of the Boors ...... 93. 118.
II. 118.

a spot so called, where
some useful plants were in-
troduced by the author into

the Transgariepine. II.512.561.
Gariep: its branches, and names.
200,319.589.591. 562. IT.125,

one of the most beautiful
of the African rivers .... 520.
——— pronunciation of the word.
514,

geographical remarks on it.
280. 524. 579. 580. II. 511.
first arrival at ......... 314.
its breadth by trigonome-
trical measurement ...... 319.

4L@Q2

627

Gariep: its great length ,..... 320.
its inundations.,. 316, 317.
remarks on the increase of
its waters and their sources.
442.

——— its climate ...recsepe008 594.
its navigation ....040. 519
—v— the proper season for cross-
ING It veecscccescvccrcscossere 442,
nature and value of its
WOOS .....0ccecsecsccccsesee 429.
abounds in beautiful peb-
DleSissecaseescosectseessce (El 2La-
——— a beautiful view of. 316.
3521.

——— mode of crossing it on rafts.
II. 13. 215.

——— compared with the Kruman.
II. 299.

Garlick; wild: the changeable
odour of a plant so called. 466.
Garst LIVED o-secicgsesceesese; Lh. 133.
Gattikamma, or Wittewater. 545.
547. 558. 548. II. 5. 256.

Gaurits River ...... 100. 137. 579.
Gazette of Cape Town, may be
rendered instrumental to the
improvement of the Colony.

use

Gedrost Hottentotten (Runaway
Hottentots) ....eeeeeee Il. 159.
Géelhout (Yellow Wood)....... 72.
II. 114.

Géelvisch (see also, Yellow-Fish).
262. 280. 526.

surprise excited by a

drawing of one....c...000. 441,
Gémsbok...... II. 23. 99. 205. 592.
Genadendal, a missionary settle-
ment: its first establishment.
105.

its population ... 108.
— reflections cccasioned
by a view Of it ....00..000. 109.

— gardens of the Hot-

tentots oo... 108. 114. 359.
Geographical Catalogue of plants.
18. 556. II. 279.

——— remarks........... 575.
Geography and Botany, naturally

connected ............. II. 211.
Geological features of the Rogge-
Wel diveeesucerseosersscesesass e201

nature of the country,

assuming a different character.

306.

appearances about Lita-

Kl fegeeeseacses costello gD 4.
Geology of the Transgariepine.

II. 511, 512.

importance of the study of.

II. 512.
George: the District of ...... 75.
——— the village of ......... 76.

Geranium Rocks ............. II. 98.

Geréchts-boode; see Boode.

German Colonist proposes to join
the expedition... II. 157. 182.

628

Gert, or Gérrit Roodezand, one of
the Hottentots who accom-
panied the author on the ex-
pedition into the Interior: his
conduct and character. 184.
500. 503. 552. II. 227. 250.
265. 274. 287. 522. 596. 598.
400. °

—— his hand shattered by the
bursting of a gun, and manage-
ment of the cure. 477—481.

Gift-appel (Poison-apple)...... 143.

-bol (Poison-bulb)........ 539.

-drinkers (Poison -drinkers).

II. 351.

Giraffe or Giraffa (see also Camelo-
pardalis) ......eesee0-. II. 278.

ACACIA... .eceeceseeeee II. 240.

Gmaap. See Maap ....0..0. 591.

Gnu, a species of antelope; and

remarks on erroneous descrip-

tions of it, 24.451. II. 109.

278.

a new species of, described.

277. 515.

Goats in the Colony: their in-

CIEASE ssecepevecceersoee IT. 144.

of the Hottentots at Onge-

luks Fountain ......... II. 239.

—— at Litakun............ II. 524.

-sucker: abird........000. 502.

Goedhart, a Bushman chief. 297.

497.

Goeiman; Cornelis, a Hottentot.
See, Cornelis.

Golds ieesecsssccsecesecceso sto 7.5.

Gonaqua ....cerescceceeeeeeee LI. 505.

Goose: wild.........ss0+« 197. 265.

Egyptian..... 285. II. 546.

Gorah, a musical instrument, de-
scribed. 458, 459, 460. II. 287.

598.
Goudinie: a part of the Colony.
, 127.
Géudsbloem (Marygold): wild

flowers so called ... 229. 289.
Hoogte...... 229.231.
Government: origin of the dif-
ferent forms Of.....0... II. 546.
Governor’s levee and ball...... 38.
>Gowsa; or white-man ... II. 210.
Graaffreynét: District of...... 75.
—_—_——— Village of. 50. 76. 96.
564. II. 541.

-_—_——-— orthography of the
WOLF cesccsccccccccsscesceeee 550.

a journey to, pro-
jected... .ccccsccseserereveeee 550.
— a description of the
village ...scoscoeeceseeee IL. 145.
Graaf-stok (Digging-stick). II. 29.
Grahamstown ...ccccccseresesee 76.
Granite...... 29. II. 511. 354, 555.
Grapple-plant, described...... 536.
Grass, an extraordinary kind of.
211.

extremely scarce in the Rég-
ZEVELA ..cccccccsvecscceeces 260.

GENERAL INDEX.

Grass: Plains of... 537, 538. 547.
II. 260. 266. 270. 540.
annually set on fire ..... 419.
—— a beautiful species, recom-
MeNdE......ceesccceceee LI. 5.7.
Grasses: inconvenience from their
barbed seeds .........- I. 247.
Grass-station ....cccsosesssoeee IL. 52.
Gratitude of Bushmen. II. 38, 39,
40. 86.
Graves, of the Hottentots.... 522.
of the Bachapins ...II. 522.
Great Fountain: see Groote Fon-
tein.
RIVERS cdceeeccacccsselcecseom err
— Thorn: see Groote-Doorn.

482.

Green-Point ............ 9. 27. 155.
Greenstone rocks. 342. 547, 348.
Il. 43. 311.

a species of: giving the
sound of a large bell ..... 278.
Groene Kloof: the missionary set-
tlement at...... 106. 162. 166.
Spreetw (Green thrush).
318.
Groente Plein, or Vegetable market.
13.
Grosbeak : aspecies of ....... 502.
Groote-doorn; a Hottentot kraal.
559. 482. 501. II. 226.
Fontein, in the Kéra Coun-
ERY cdacaditetents (svoest/ 452.585.
in Achter Sneeiw-
berg .ecccoccseeseee IL. 111.1835.
Gréotkop; a peak in the Bosjes-
Veldicalscccctisccsossoneseosee ZO:
Groote Rivier (Great River), or
Gariep...... 200. IT. 114. 126.
—— in the Karré. 216.
Tafelberg (Great Table-
mountain) ....... II. 105. 184.
Grouse: Namaqua... 265. II. 345.
the variegated ..... IT. 545.
Gryskop, a Bushman ...... II. 202.
Guaap, an eatable plant ...... 243.
Guarri......cccccosecree 587. IL. 588.
Guinea fowl, or Pintado. 364. 426.
II. 281.
Gum-arabic, may be obtained from
the Acacia of the Cape. 429.
tree, of Egypt, com-
pared with the Dodrnboom of
Southern Africa .......... 196.
Gun: an unfortunate accident oc-
casioned by the bursting of
ONE soocccccccscccerssssveree 479.
—— the subject of dispute at
Litakun .... II. 576. 588. 596.
402. 415. 447. 458.
—— one in possession of the Kéras.
II. 486.
Gunpowder: its value and im-
portance exemplified .... 3351.
372. 458. II. 12. 224. 251.
Gypsies, compared with Hottentots.
549,

H.

Haakdoorn (see also Hookthorn),
a remarkable thorny shrub.
509. 520. 335. 556. 432, 435.
II. 6. 241. 526.

Haas: Spring (Leaping hase) teei-

I. 3.

Berg (Mountain-hare). 488.
Hail. 369. 535. II. 88.90. 111.118.
219,
Hair of the Hottentots, described.
161.
of the Bachapin women,
described ..........060-. II. 569,
rarely seen grey, or carroty,
among the Bushmen. II. 198.
of Europeans, excites great
astonishment at . Litakiiny
Il. 455, 454,
Halfway-Spring......... II. 91. 187.
Hangklip, in the Karré. 217. 229.
Hanglip, or Hangklip, near False
46.
Hannah, a Hottentot woman who
accompanied the author’s
party. 168. 354. 500. II. 225.
231.
Hans Lucas, a Hottentot who ac-
companied the author, during
a part of his travels. 353. 378.
433.438. 519.532. 552. 11.148.
152, 226.

Hantam-berg.........ss0008 254. 591.
Hardiness of plants, considered.
255.
Hares .....0000008 279. 290. II, 51.
Hare: the leaping, described. 487.
II. 3.
the Mountain ............ 488.
Harpies : the idea of them recalled
by the view of some vultures.
377.
Harpiis-bosch (Resin-bush)... 259.
Harra (Father) a Bachapin title of
TESPECt...seeeeeeee IL. 520. 522,
Hart, the chief kraal of the Kéras,
546. 430. II. 225. 541.
Hartebeest, or Kaama; a species
of antelope. 420. II. 81. 99.

275.277. 354.
Harvest at Klaarwater...... .. 491.
-time; a season of rejoic-
ing among the Bachapins.
II. 599.
HAssagay....ssseeee0e0e II. 199. 597.
representation of one.
491. II. 186. 599.
wounds: how cured by
the Bachapins......... II. 581.
hout (Hassagay-wood).
180

DY sevesccscceresccsoceccecee

Hatchet: its aboriginal Hottentot
FOI ..ecessesecesscceceeeses 406.
Hay: the general use of it in
Africa, reeommended..... 547.
Health: aridity of soil and climate,
CONAUCIVE tO It..reccrsaree 275.

Heat of the weather: various ex-
amples of. 26, 81. 332. 338.
568. 590. 458, 4359, 440. 491.
508. II. 78.

-—— atmospheric: an hypothesis
TESPCCtING ......000008 496, 497.

Heaths: a remark respecting those
at the Cape ....ssccsccssee 25.

their northernmost parallel
of latitude.......sescsevesee 209,

Héemraad; or, Héemraaden: the
members of the District-coun-
cil..... 183. 191. II. 121. 160.

Heer. 184. 194. 200. 239. II. 456.

Héeregragt; a street in Cape

OWN .coccccsvene seesecceece 25.

Héela! or Héla! a Bachapin ex-
clamation........ee00e. LI, 452.

Heks-rivier. See, Hex-river.

Hémel-en-aarde ; a place so called.

101.

Hemp leaves, used for smoking.
366. II. 4.

Hemp; Wild, or Wilde-dakka

(Leonotis Leonurus)...... 15.
Héndrik: Jan; a Hottentot.
II. 465. 479.
Herbaria: a mode by which they
may often be enriched. 154.
Hérholdt’s, on Sneedwberg. II.
124. 180.
FLGrOnS iecescccccedeccestecevec ven DIG.
Hesse: the ReverendC. H.F. 12.
16.170. 510. 535. II. 227.229.
Hex-river; or Heks-rivier... 190.
280. II. 125.
Kloof .... 89. 192. II. 5.
Vale Of....c.eceeveeee 194.
Hide-shoes............ 214, II. 102.
Hippopotamus; River-horse; Zée-
koe; or, Sea-cow: various re-
marks relative to it. 86, 263.
317. 378. 403, 404. 409—415.
417, 418. 423. 427, 428. 430.
Il. 126.
Hoar-frost ....sseseccesveeee LI. 259.
Hoes used by» the Bachapins.
II. 454. 586,
Hond: Wilde (Wild Dog); a new
species of Hyena. 456. II. 229,
250.
Honey: wild; the mode in which it
is obtained by the Hottentots.
II. 81.
DOES cccccccccscccscoscnss 370.
Honeycomb stone ......e.e000e 506.
Honeysuckle: a wild plant com-
pared with it .......e00. 521,
Ho6ning-bier (Honey-beer) .... 564.
II. 552.
Hoofs of animals: a remark res-
pecting them. 139. II. 536,
- 557.
Hookthorn; see Haakdoorn.
Hoopoe: the purple. 526.594. 502.
Il. 546.
Horizon: artificial; used in the
astronomical observations.
229. 552.

GENERAL INDEX.

Horny substances: theory of. II. 76.
Horses of the Colony : increase of.
II, 144.
the folly of mutilating their
hallSjesccveeesosssesessves lll. 250,
none possessed by the
Bichuanas.........+0060+ I. 524.
Distemper : (Paarde-ziekte).
570. 510. II. 218, 242,
Mountain, or Paardeberg,
in the Transgariepine. II. 242.
——— Island(Paarden Eiland). 51.
wageon; or, Paarde wagen,
of the Colony ... 28. II. 135.
Grave; astation in the Cis-
LaVIepine ......eeeceeeeee II. 98.
of the mountains, or Wilde
Paard .......0000. 158. II. 315.
: River : see Hippopotamus.
———: Wooden, a ottentot
mode of crossing rivers. 415.
II. 13.
Horticulture: state of it in the
Colony.......s.-e-seeeee I. 118.
of the Bachapins.
II. 587.
Hospitality among the Boors; re-
Ciprocal......sesseeseeeeeeee 141,
Hot springs in Southern Africa. 96.
98. 124, 125.
Hottentots. — The following refer-
ences under this word, are
intended for collecting toge-
ther, merely in the order in
which they happen to stand in
these volumes, a few of those
scattered remarks and occur-
rences, from which some gene-
ral ideas of the Hottentot
character, and of the principal
features of that race, may be
obtained. See also the words,
Bushman and Kora, and the
names of those Hottentots, of
whom a more particular men-
tion has been made.
their situation before the
discovery of the Cape..... 5.
speak a corrupt dialect
of the Dutch language, which
it is necessary for a traveller
to learn...... 13. 156. II. 437.
their evidence not to be
FEJECLEC cevoesccessessiooscssnulo:
an infringement on their
NiDelityiceaccnss-ceseceescesas <4
have been found to be
the most serviceable soldiers
for the defence of the Colony
against the bordering tribes. 60.
soldier ; the opinions of
one, with respect to military
SELVICE .ocececeveseeesee 66. 160.
the proportion of their
numbers in the Colony. 77.
II, 144,
generally dislike living in
TOWNS secccecccresecccscere 77s
their names of places,

629

preferable to those which have
been substituted by the colo-
NUStS s.eseseseeereceeee 100. 286:
Hottentots; a proof that they may
be brought to submit to all
the rules of decorum required
in a church ......... 109. 356.
may be taught to sing
psalms with great correctness.
109. 357.

huts at Genadendal. 112.

115.

manufacture a peculiar

kind of mat ..........0066. 113.
nearly all of them em-
ployed in the service of the
Colonists ........seeeeeeeee8 114.
have, in general, little
inclination for gardening, 114.
554. 552. 559.
their customary wages.

, 115.
mistrustful of colonial
promises ...... serseeseceoes 148,

of the Mixed, or Half
breed, called Bastaards, by the
BOors...cscsescorseeeee 154, 561,
the ridiculous names
sometimes given to them by
the Colonists.... 155. II. 166.
descriptions of particu-
lar individuals. 155, 161. 167,
168. 184.

frequent too much the
Pagter’s, or Brandy shop. 162.
If. 151.

scarcely ever know their

OWN AGC.eecccccccecccceceses 167.

———— the mode of life most

congenial to their natural dis-
POSICION. 2 +<.555..-002 cooeee 175.

their quickness and
memory, in all affairs relating
to cattle...... 175. 242. II. 8.
—— their helplessness in a
particular accident at Olyven-

* hout-bdsch .....ceceeeeee wep lideze
the figures of several.
178.

their services usually
secured by legal forms. 185.
247. II. 162, 163,

a servant rarely parti-
cipates with his Master in the
hospitality of the Boors. 190,
regard tobacco and
brandy as necessaries ..... 195.
women: remarks on an
occasional peculiarity of shape.
216.

at their meals...... 217.
their game called card-
playing.....sseeece 255, 254.
easily find their way

over the country. 236. II. 190.
leather, the most usual
material of their clothing. 243,
their mode of healing
ADSCESS IN OXEN..eovseeeees 246.

630

Hottentots often exemplify great
PATIENCE reracrereseesesrece 251,
their mats made of dif-
ferent kinds of rush ...... 263.
ppbetrance and descrip-
tion of a large caravan. 267.
——— prefer hunting to fish-
ING -scccccccccveccessesseseee 280.

an example of their ex-
peditious travelling ...... 287.
a kraal on the Gariep.
3524.

——~—— the mat-houses made by
them, convenient for the pas-
COTA CH ec cressvesssssooaes O20.
visitors, in the Asbestos
Mountains .... wc. S51,
boys and girls: their
youthful liveliness deserts
them at an early age .... 338.
language compared with
that of the Koras ......... 545.
— unpleasant odor of their
bodies, from buku and grease.
556.

mode of punishing cri-
Minlalsgeecsosecdseseteter OOO:
captains or chiefs: na-
ture of their authority... 563.
of Klaarwater : the mode
in which they treat their wives.
564.

— an appropriate motto
for them ....eeseee0e Secnadg BOB
— at Klaarwater: their
laziness and want of perse-
VEFANCE..cccercsccevee GOT, S68.
the aboriginal dress,
described.........26. 59I5—598.
manufacture cord from
bark, or rushes ........008 405.
hatchet, bowl, and bam-
DUS... sccsccveseseres esovecsee 406.
recover lost cattle, by
following their track ..... 456.
— musical instrument called
a Gorah ........ 458. 460. 559.
their opinion of the com-

PASS coveeeccevssscveeee 466, 467.

WaggoOnNs ......- 585. 468.
— compared with Bacha-
INS ceecevccessceeeee sevsvee 486.

huts at Klaarwater. 493.
an example of their
power of travelling on foot;
and the fortunate escape of
one who ventured alone from
the Colony to Klaarwater. 497.
an example of the facility
with which they sometimes
suffer themselves to be misled
and of their slowness in listen-
ing to reasonable argument.

‘ 503, 504.
an ancient, custom in
burying their dead ......, 522.
frequently change their
place of abode and remove

GENERAL INDEX.

their houses and their whole
family ssccecesecseness 549,
Hottentots: the various tribes which
constitute the Hottentot race.
582.

definition of the term

‘ Hottentots Proper,’ made

use of in this work ........ 582.
description of one of

their kraals ........8. see Ube parla
are naturally fond of
MUSIC seesecssseseeeccesvevee LL. 9.

their commercial specu-
lations.......scsececseseeee LL. 50.
sometimes fickle and un-
certain in their movements.
Il. 67.

are in general very bad
COOKS ...seesereeeeee II. 88. 262,
instances of their apathy

and uneoncern... II. 130. 237.
422.

less prolific than the
COlONIStS ....eceeeeeeeee IL, 144,
their manners during a

state of intoxication. II. 152.
the differences between

the Hottentots and the Boors,
impartially weighed. II. 161.
162. 164. 179.

a colonial law for their
PVOtection .....seeee6- I. 162.
their natural timidity
frequently renders them the
dupes of secret intimidation.
II. 165.

their readiness at finding

their way .......seeeeee. IL. 190.
their filthiness exagge-
sorssoccescscescossee IL, 209,
— situation of their race
since the discovery of the
Cape of Good Hope. II.
2035.

often inclined to disre-
gard regularity and good order.
II. 220.

a specimen of their lan-
GUAGE veeeececsseeeeeeeee IL. 251,
mode of avoiding fleas.

II. 259.

often adopt thoughtless
SCHEMES ......eeeseeeveeeeLL. 280.
want of prudence, a part

of their character ...... II. 284.
— are seldom provident for
the future ...........000. I. 289.
a remark on the names
given by them to different
tribes of aborigines ... II. 503.
their singular mode of
drinking .......... I. 314. 450,
— almanack ....... Il. 345.
— the music and dancing of
the Colonial Hottentots, or
Hottentots Proper ... II. 396.
instance of their want

of prudence ............ II, 420.

rated

Hottentots sometimes betray great
timidity when among strange
tribes ....sseceeeee IT. 422. 425.

women accustomed to
the hardships of a wandering
life ....secscsrorssesereeee LD. 466.
not neglectful of the du-
ties of hospitality. II. 349, 544.
considerations respect-
ing the locality of the Hotten-
tot race, and its supposed de-
CLEASE ceovcssceeesseveeee LL. 549.

— language, totally distinct

from that of the Caffre race.
Il. 582.

call various vegetable
preparations by the name of
Dread .t..sccccsscssseeveee LI. 586.
their instrumental music
compared with that of the
Bachapins ......0.see0e+ LI. 598.
a remark respecting the
general character of the Hot-
tentOt race ......0c00 II. 599.

Hottentotaria, or Hottentaria, the
country of the Hottentots;
defined ......sceceresessevee 582.

Hottentot’s Brood (Hottentot’s
Bread): anextraordinary plant.

, II. 147,
Hottentot-Fig ......cecsesescoseese 54.
Holland ..........0006 85.
Mountains, 41. 81.
Kloof, or Pass. 86.
580.

Zeer (or Sore): its nature,
and mode of cure ......... S71.

Houhéek .....scccecscoceseeveoevee 92.

Houses of the Colonists: descrip-
tion of some which are built
Of MUA \.ccocesecpecooeaears 119.

Hout-Bay (Wood-Bay) ......... 60.

Kapper (Wood-cutter), a bird.

318.

Houte-paard (Wooden-horse): a

mode of crossing rivers by it.
415. 416.

Houswana: remarks on the word.
II. 559.

Hugo; Piet; a colonist.....,.. 190.

Huisbezéekings, (or, pastoral visita-
tIONS) c.ececcesseccoveeses Lhd pA.

Haning-berg, (Honey-Mountain),

130.

Hunt, of the Bachapins, in the
vicinity of Litékun. II. 520.

- 420.

Hunting preferred to agriculture,
by the Hottentots. 534. 565.

Hunter’s-Station .........++. II, 42.

Hurricane, in the Abestos Moun-
CAINS vee eceerecceseensaccasen” SOT

Hydrophobia, or, Canine madness,

II. 524.

Hygrometer. .......sssesesessrees 282.

Hyena.....s...0.6. 578. II. 277. 526.

the Hunting. 456. II. 229.
——— the Striped ......... II. 229.

Hyena: the Spotted ........ II, 229.
Hyena-Mountains, in the Cisgarie-
pine ... Il. 27. 56. 44. 47, 71.

I.

TCO cssasesceccseceessseveevesee 81. 564.
TEUANArcasesstecesccMecccstsessolls G5:
Imports of the Colony ......... 79.
Industry among the Bachapins.
II. 557.

Influenza: a species of. II. 137.141.
Inghé (Ing-h4y), aspecies of weasel.
II. 592:

Inhumanity: an instance of it at
Litakun .....0000 seeeeee ID. 472.
Ink, of a yellow color .......... 212.
Inns; the want of them in the
Colony, frequently remedied

by hospitality ...scsseeeoe 141,
Insects: remarkable. 510. 400. 418.
Interpreter for the Sichuana lan-

BUAL! vevevecsereee 485. IT. 563. |

Intramontane .......ssecscceseeeee S81,
Intzi-intzi,a Sichuana word expres-

sive of multitude ...... II. 560.
Inundation of the Gariep, and

Nigariep ....... 516. 319.590.
A ONpecescesacieseessaceespscsses Mls 57,5.
—— cubic pyrites of .......... 202.
—— ore: appearances of ...... 95.
a species found at Sansa-
Walls jsscssesvessesecececes Ls. 257.
a species Of ....0000. 414.
“stone TOCKS .s..sececevee 586.
—— -ware, manufactured by ‘the

Nuakketsies ............ II. 439.
Isthmus of Cape Town, viewed

from Table Mountain .... 46.
a ramble

OVED sesscesereseeereeeS1—58. 84,
Itinerary: the longitudes given in

It seesccerecaceecssesecesesces 205s
remarks respecting it. 251.
: Il. 55.
Ivory, brought by the Hottentots

to Cape Town ....ccscoeee 154.

—— the price of it in the In-
tETIOL ..csseceesescsseevee IT. 274,

at Litakun ... II. 403. 406.
obtained from the Nudk-
ketsies and Baroldngs. II. 537.
538.

on establishing a regulated
trade with the Bichuana na-
LIONS cvisscascesecsevesceee IL. 559.
a mode of procuring ‘it.
II. 555.

rings ; an ornament of dis-
tinction worn by South-Afri-
CANS seeccsccrecesee I]. 562. 571.

Af

Jackals 180, 464. II. 85. 99. 285, |

tail: its supposed virtue
ANd USE sseeseseveee II, 57. 412,

GENERAL INDEX.

Jackal; a part of the Hottentot
dress, so called. 397. 598. II.
3518.
Fountain .....secseseeee 258.
Jacobs: Pieter; a colonist.... 197.
Jacob: Oud Baas. II. 94. 95. 108.
Jan Hendrik ........... II. 465. 479.
Jan-Tadentdal: a bird so called.
564,
Jan Van Roye; or Van Rooyen:
see, Van Roye.
Jansens: General .....eccweeee 12.
Jansz’s Fountain ......ssecceeee 465.
Jas (Yas), or Watch-coat. 255. 270.
JASPCL,<cerevereronscoscersecsrasess, G04.
JAUNGICCeeeeciesscavacecseressesse) OTL
Jerboa of the Cape. See Spring-
haas, or Leaping Hare.
Jdnker’s Water ..cecceesceeseee SOG.
Josaphat: Dal van ........s006. 159.
Journal: a mode of gaining time
for writing it .........6. I. 401.
a remark respecting it.
II. 504.
Jaffrouw Vermeiilen ...... II, 118.
Juk Rivier (Yoke River) 225. 229.
riviers Hdéogte (Yoke River
FTCIDINES) laseenenesseteesasanee 2206
“SCHEL ....02-seereceeee 151, 246,
Juli, a faithful Hottentot: his cha-
racter and history. II. 160, 161.
165, 253. 242, 262. 279, 280.
525. 567. 425. 4635. 491.
Jupiter’s Satellites, observed. 483.
Justice; the administration of; in
the Cape Colony ....... 77. 78.

K,

K4abi, a Bushman captain. II. 22.
his wife ........ssee006 LL. 25,
his friendly assistance. II.
195.
his kraal, alarmed by sus-
picion of spies ......... II. 201.
character of him and his
COUNEFYMEN ....++ee0006 LL. 202.
and Gryskop, visit Klaar-
Water seoeees II. 218.
Kaéama; or, Khéama. II. 81. 99.
554. 550. 392. 573, 591.
Kaapsche Duinen (Cape Downs).
58. 84.
Vlakte (Cape Flats). 58.
Kart-spel; a Hottentot game, so
called
Kaava-pukoli (Jackal’s tail). II. 412.
Kaba-klusi .......s00eeeeeeeeee IL. 412,
Kaffer: see Caffre.
Kaffers-boom (Erythrina Caffra).
25. 24.
Vink (Caffre Finch.) 20.
II. 492.
Kakikaéan, an animal of the feline
tTIDE sesseeseveeevevervees IL, 592.

eovoceccocece

sevecevsccsececcoosseses L006

‘——— Thorn. 195.

631

Kalkéentje: Wilde ...... 501. 502.
Kameelpaard ; see, Camelopard.

Kameéel-doorn ......... 453. II. 240.
Kameel-hoek .......s.esess006 LL. 278.
Kamhanni: remarks on the word.

Mountains. IT. 540. 491.
Pass ........ II. 289,
Peak ...... II. 291.5
Kamiesberg ...... 5361. 581. II,
Kamma; a Hottentot word: its
meaning and application. 259.
Kamnasi-land; a division of the
Colony ..... 96. 579, 580. 581.
Kana-kana, a Bachapin air, II. 438.
Kanfri vogel, a bird so called. 502.
Kanna, a species of antelope. See
also Eland. 312, 313. II. 23.
42. 81. 190.195. 199. 285.
Kanna-bosch(Kaénna-bush) ; ashrub,
from the ashes of which, the
Colonists make soap. 267. 419.
Hen 11s.
Kiraali.tensscssosscceseoseesc2O re
Kannaland: a division of the Co-
lony ...... 267. 579, 580, 581.
Kaptéen (Captain), a title not un-
known to the extra-colonial
TIDES). ccscsescesassesesey LIS 456;
Kardéuw’s Kloof .....0-eeceeereee 88.
Karéss; or, Hottentot Cloak. 267.
597. 459. 490. II. 86. 350.
575.
-—— the fore- and hind- 292. 595.
Karrée-hout (Karrée-wood)or, Kar-
rée tree. 178, 179. 207, 208.
517. 543. II, 29. 199.
Karrée river ........... 267. II. 571.
Karréebergen, or, Karree Moun-
tains ...... 295. 295. 297. 299.
— Plain ........... 501.
-— Poort; or the Pass
of the Karree Mountains. 298.
Karrikamma; see Klaarwater. IT.
565.
Karrikarri, a tribe of Bichuanas.
Il. 474. 532. 548.
Karré: meaning of the word. 207.
——— geographically defined. 75.
581. 558.
the nature of its soil. 210.
240. 244,
its climate ......06. 81. 187.
-the Great; its rivers. 137.
213. 215.

-doorn : see, Karré-thorn.
Ground: its nature. II. 44.
Plains: a view over them.
218, 219.
II. 29, 240,
241. 248,
——— Poort (Karré Pass). 207,
555. 557, 558. II. 98.
Karupny, a Bushman Kraal...,.436.
Katjepiring, or Katjepiri (Gardenia
HOMIE) escweesstetescacce acess 22.
Kastanje: Wilde, (Wild Horse-
CHES) eesercessossscdsss's seu OG.

632

Kava; see, K4ava, or Kaba.
Kavaklisi (Tail of the Klasi). II.
412.
Kéeri: see Kirri .........sece000 554.

Kees, see Muchinka.

Kéevit (Peevit), or, Plover. 544.
II. 546.
Keisikamma River .....-.....06. 387.
Kerk-straat at Tulbagh ......... 129.
Kérstenbosch, near Cape Town. 68.
Kestrel, a species of hawk. 338. 502.
Kétsi (bag) of the Bachapins. II.
578.
Keyser, one of the Hottentots who
accompanied the author. II.
166.
and Stuurman, suspected of
being spies ....+..seeee0 IL. 201.
their suffer-

ings from thirst ......... I]. 205.
his anecdotes of Bushmen.
II. 531.

his desertion. II. 380. 383.
Khaaka, a species of Manis; de-
scribed ....+s0ee++. II. 423. 440.
Khalui; aspecies of weasel. II.592.
Khaama. See Kdama.
Khamiesberg ; see Kamiesberg.
Kharu, or Bachapin cap ... II. 571.
Kibbukiili, the wife of Mattivi, and
mother of Massisan. II. 486.
507.
Kings, Queens, Princes, &c. of the
BichuAna tribes ....... II. 568.
Kirri .....e.ce0006 554. 491. II. 198.
Kite: a species of ... .....ces00e 502.
Klaarfontein; see Klaarwater. 271.
Kléarwater, Klaarfontein, or Karri-
kamma, a Hottentot village
and Missionary Station in the
Transgariepine.... 49. 64. 154.
248. 529. 349. 352. 359. 589.
391. 398. 482. 501. II.2. 222.
258. 259. 2435. 565. 466. 541.
Kl4atalakimd, a Bachapin cattle-
StAtiON ..eccsserssoeeeeeee LI. 541.
Klagt Hottentotten (Complaining
Hottentots) ......se000 ID. 159.
Kleine Tafelbere (Little Table-
mountain). I].117. 124. 183.
Klibbolikhénni, a copious fountain,
_ the source of the Kriman
River. II. 295. 299, 352. 421.
Little ....... II. 293.
Klip Fontein (Rock Fountain) in
the country of the Bushmen.
293, 294.
Fontein, of the Kéra country.
II. 261.
Kloof, signification of the word. 16.
near Cape Town .......66 15,
Kloofs, or Mountain-passes of the
Colony ..cccsesesseesesee 88. 89.
Kloof Village, in the Asbestos Moun-
tains ...528. 541. 545. II. 217.
Kléwa, or whey, of the Bachapins.
. II. 593.
Klisi, a species of jackal ... II. 412.

GENERAL INDEX.

Knapzak (Knapsack): Colonial ap-
plication of the name .... 483.
Knegt: Slagter’s ......s0e0000. 201.
Knegt’s Fountain ....... .... II. 269.
Knite: Bichuana, or Bachapin. 491.
Il. 575.
-—— -sheaths of the Bachapins.
II. 596.
Kndflook: Wilde, (Wild Garlic);
its changeable odor ...... 466.
Knoflooks Kraal ........-.s.ee0002 95.
Knorhaan, see, Kérhaan or Koor-
haan.
Kébo, or cloak worn by the Bacha-
pins. II. 518. 550. 582. 592.
412. 570, 591.
K6dedoe. See, Kéodoo, and Kudu.
Kéeberg (Cow-Mountain). 25. 44.
Kogeltas (Bullet-pouch). 167. II.
246. 286.
Kojas, a tribe .......00-eeeeee II. 552.
Kok, a family of Half-Hottentots,
5635.
— Adam, a captain of the Mixed,
or Half-Hottentots, or Bas-
taards, living at Klaarwater.
551. 565. 381. 585. 433. 468.
517. 524. II. 227. 275.
Cupido .......... I. 224. 466.
— Jan; a Hottentot who ac-
companied the author from
Cape Town to Klaarwater.
155, 156. 329.
a Half-Hottentot and
Missionary. 431. II. 264. 537.
—— Kraal, on the Gariep. 362.
II. 225.
Kéker-boom, or Quiver-tree (Aloé
dichotoma).........24. II. 199.
K6dkman’s Kloof ......cceeeeseeeee 89.

Kokéon, or Kokdédong. See Ko-
kin.
Kokiin, or Koking; an animal

allied to the Gnu. II .278. 501.
515. 332. 568. 592.

Kombaars; or, Vel-kombaars (Skin-
coverlet).... 360. II. 175. 255.
Kommedakka, a botanical parallel.
209.

Kéodoo; Kiidu; or, Kéedoe, a spe-
cies of Antelope. 357. 374.
580. II. 592.

Kool-salaade, a Colonial dish. 190.
Kéorhaan, or Kérhaan: a species of
bustard .....secccescseccesee 186.

of the Karré......... 233.
Kéorn-vreeter (Corn-eater), a bird
resembling the domestic spar-
TOW wessseeeeee 246. 259. II. 91.
KOosi KGosi! ......s00sseeeee LI. 552.
Kop: signification of the word.
123.

Képerberg ; or, Képerbergen (Cop-
per-Mountains). 581, II. 568.
Képjes Fontéin ......se00ceesees 285.
Kéras; or, Korénas; or Kéraquas,
one of the tribes of the Hot-
tentot race .......0. 545. 582.
—— their country defined, 346.
580.

Koras: their language. 201. 11.251.
their general character. 388.
II. 215. 599.

— less civilized than the Hot-
TENCOLS ...ccesecceercecevecee OOl.
— their kraals, or villages. 538.
II. 5. 10. 204.

one of their laws of inherit-
ANCE cocsceresvcccsececccosess D1O-
— description of one of their
captains, or chieftains .... 490.
— first met with at Gattikamma.
544,

astonishment of some, at a
coloured drawing of a fish.
, 441.

—— a numerous party arrives at
Litakun .............. If. 486.
Korana, or Koraander (more cor-
corectly, Kéra, or Kéraqua).
545.

KOrhaan .......ceccsceseeseeseeseee 186-
Kori, a new species of Bustard. 593.
Kosas ; or Caffres Proper. 77. 268.
582.

Kosi: meaning of the word. II. 272.
352,

or Bachapin chieftain. IT. 3564.
3592. 488.

KOsies; or chieftains: the nature
of their power ......... II. 348.
their dwellings at Litékun,
described ......... II. 441. 514.
Kési Fountain ............+6. II. 271.
Hills ......eseceeeceseeee II, 289,
kébo; or Bachapin fur-cloak.
II. 350. 592.

Kotékwi; a species of weasel. II.
592.

Kéveh, a kind of hassagay. II. 597.
Kéwsakwa; or, Késaqua; a name
by which some of the Bush
men are distinguished. II.331.
Kéwsakykwa; or Kgsakyqua. II.

551»
Kraai: Witte (White Crow). 338.
502.
—— Witte-hals (White-necked

Crow) .e.sccccessocscceceeee? SOI,
Kraaikop, a Bushman captain. II.
85. 190.

Kraal. ... II.85, 86. 188.

Kraal: the proper signification of
the Word ...ccccoesececsees 227.
Kraals, or villages, of the Hotten-
tOts .o..00. 524. 554. 556. 560.
—— Keras.
538. II. 5. 10. 204.
Bush-
men. 429. II. 16. 55. 86. 189.
197.

or Cattle-pounds. 118. 360.
407. II. 290. 464.
Kramori, a Bachapin chieftain. II.
441, 444, 509.

Kraanvogel: Groote blaauwe
(Great blue Crane) ....... 502.
Kretipel-boom .......ccesseeseeeeee 25."
Krieger (or, Krager): Jacob, a co-
lonist who accompanied an un-

\

fortunate expedition to explore

the Interior. 50. 201. II. 505.
Krieger (or Krager): Carel; tram-
pled to death by an elephant,
201. 301.

Krieger’s Grave; a place in the
Cisgariepine ... 500, 497, 498.
Fontein, a place behind
the Snow Mountains. II. 111.
183.

Kriager : see, Krieger.
Kraman river. II. 293. 299, 306.
545.
Kraman; the Bachapin Capital in
1802 and 1820...,..+.. II. 512.

Kudu; see, Kéodoo.

Kaikendief, or Kite ....... 501. 502.
Kiilenberg, in the Middle Rogge-
VEIA-.cecccccscccsssecevccseces LOM
‘Kakumakr4nki, a scented fruit. 54.
Kayer, a Colonial word in frequent
USE secee cevcccceecccens coccsee D29-

Kwakka; or, Quakka.
Kwakka Fountain ..........e000. 277.
Kwikstaart, or Wagtail ... 50. 501.
Kygariep, a branch of the river
Gariep. ... 519. 591. 401. 427.
428, 447, II. 552.
Kysi-gat (Kysi-pit) or pitfall for
catching wild animals. 386.
. 4035.
Kysikamma River .......s0s0ee0» 587.

iGe

Laburnum : a tree compared with
Lisecsasscessecsccssceresss Ils 146.
Lake: a periodical ..........0. 507.
Optical ; described ... II. 28.
Landdrost: the nature of his office.
75.

Landed property : state of ; among
the Bachapins .......+. II. 514.
Landscape scenery: apeculiar kind
Of wo... 288. IT. 272. 527.
Langberg (Long Mountain); an
elevated district in the Trans-
gariepine ...370. 576. 510. II.
2356. 238. 241.

Lange Kloof (Long-Pass) ...... 581.
Language of the Hottentots Proper.
537, 538. 545,
Bushmen ... 345.
407. 581.

Kora Hottentots.
345. II. 255.
Bichuanas, called
by them, the Sichuana. II. 293.
505. 581—585.

Langwagen, a part of a Cape wag-
LON cccccerscecceseereee 150. 256.
Lark ; of the Cape ......sc0.0. 502.
Laws and mode of trial in the Cape
Colony ......cceccesseeee 78. 162.
— of the Bachapins, 543. 544,
545.

Leaf: a singular kind of ...... 336.

VOL. II.

|

GENERAL INDEX.

Leanman, a name given to a Bush-
man captain and his son. See,
Magerman.

Learning, a display of, by Mr. Bar-

TOWorewonstece esses sionsiecesesssem (=

—— the Meester.

199.

— Wantrouw.

584.

Leather of sheep-skin; its uses.
243.

the manner of preparing
it among the Bichuanas. II.
590, 591.
Lee ki roki ..........sseeeee08 IL. 409.
muchiko (Give me tobacco).
II. 456.
Le’er, a part of a waggon 149.
Le’er-boom ........... 149. II. 518.
Léeuwe Fontein (Lions Fountain)
in the Cisgariepine. 287. 289.
Léeuwenhof, a villa near Cape
WOW Mitesesestostcrevsseccsesess li7<
Léeuwenkop ........seseeseeeeee 100.
Léeuwenkuil (Lions Den), a place
in the Transgariepine. 559.
561. 491.
Leg plaats, or Cattle-place of the
colonists. 207. II. 100. 127.
Lekaaka, or ear-plate, of the Bacha-
PINs .....000. II. 592. 567. 572.
Lekatani, or Watermelon. II. 587.
Lekhapu, a sort of Watermelon.
Il. 587.
Lekékko (Fiscal-bird, or Butcher-
Did) visesocsccsssesces: LM 545;
Lemons.......78. 194. 248. II. 145.
Lens, or Linchpin of the Cape
waggons, described ....... 149.
Leopard ; or Tiger, of the colonists.
16. 18. If. 144.
or Luipard, of the colon-
IStS seoseesse-sesoceeseees LL, 526,
Leprosy. 101. 275.276. II. 580.
Leputzi, or pumpkin....... II. 587.
Lérimo. See, Rimo.
Leshuatze, a sort of Watermelon.
II. 5387.
LétAjan, or the Armed Plover. II.
546.
Letter: the first from Litékun to
England ........00see0066 LL. 478.
Letterbag, broken open by a Hot-
TENLOL cccececcccecerevesceeee 266,
La Vaillant. 66. 214. 578. 579. II.
252, 559.
Levee of K6ras .....s.c0ceceeeee 544,
Li, a Sichuana prefix ...... II. 508.
Liberty, in the wilds of Africa. 515.
422. II. 37.
Lichaaku, or Bichuana sandals. II.
- 570.
Lichika; or, Reed-pipe. II. 410.
Lichens, rarely found in the Inte-
TIOL TEGIONS.....000seeseeeee 594.
Lichtenstein: Dr. 12. 578, 579. II.
s 265. 505.
_—__ ee e 2 ap-
pended to Vol. I. ae ;

4M

633

Lichtenstein: Dr.; exposes the nu-
merous errors and misrepre-
sentations of “ Barrow’s Tra-
Welssigecsadcrcsssecedssdreesrer O40:

Lichts; an eatable root. Il. 589.

Liésbecks river .......... 35. 51. 54.

Life, modified under different forms,

II. 527.

Lightning, confuses the caravan.

302.
of Southern Africa, de-
BCLIDCGiess.eseoesssccss-scines OOO

Ligter, of the Cape waggons, de-
SCTIDEC .......eeseeecerseceeee 150

Wigtervoet:ccsscccssesccesessesss 150.

Likhaai, or Cattle-pound. II. 573.

522,

Lime, made from shells ......... 71

Limestone Rock. 283. 359, 360.

598. Il. 260. 311. 354.

Linong, a kind of vulture II. 329.

Lion: a tame One ........esee006 67.

footmarks of this animal first

Observed c.cccccecisoeseseree 286.

one shot near Lion Fountain.
287.

—— his titles disputed. 289. II.
192.

—— the caravan obstructed by
ONE cecsecsecsccssceeeeccveses DOG.

—— Gert alarmed at the foot-
marks of one on the banks of
the Kygarfep .......sese0008 409.

—— the party disturbed by one at

night: symptoms of his ap-

proach ; and mode of keeping

him at a distance ......... 450.

and their prey. II. 82, 83.193.

—— one of a black variety, shot

IJ. 191.

—— the pale, or common variety.

e192:

—— the dangerous visit of one;
and its roaring mistaken for an
earthquake ............. I. 206.

— -Den, a place so called. 491.

Fountain ......00000. 287. 289.

— Mountain, at Cape Town.

4, 5.14,

—— Head, a mountain at Cape

Town. 3. 5.16. 41. 45. 58.100.
—_——_————. one resem-
bling it, near the Asbestos

Mountains ......ecsesssseeee 542,

the False 5.

Rump Mountain ......... 20.

Liquor Ammoniz: its effects as a
remedy against the bite of a
SEFPENE ..reeceseceeeee O92. S41,

Liséeka, or copper bracelet. II. 567,

568.

Lishuéna (snuff) II. 521. 407. 436.

Litéakoon; or, Letarkoon. See
Litakun.

Litakun: ... 49, 50. 576. 485. 564.

II. 503. 609.
its situation in the year

1801 cccccecsccccccccccsscess SUIS.

remarks on the word II.

507. 512,

634

Litakun; a general description of.
MI. 511.
the original town of. II.
356, 512.
some description of it; and
reflections excited by a walk
through it ....... II. 441—445.
a view of it from the hills.
II. 451.
Its SIZE .sscrereeoveee LL. 464.
thrown into a state of
alarm ....ccceseeee I. 476. 500.
the first letter from that
town to England ...... II. 479.
its site described ... II. 513.
mercantile jealousy of its
inhabitants .......se0008 II. 541.
River .........seeeee II. 355.
the Great Plains of. II.
306. 340. 5354, 555. 421. 442,
Litdin, or Litding; an eatable root
II. 589.
Wizards ic. ccstsceccesescsnceecceetl len25:
their eggs eaten by Bush-
MEME seceeccseesssconscsseomlla ses
Lobébi, or Cream .......... II. 594.
Lobiitsani, a fountain in the Great
Plains of Litakun ..... II. 352.
Léeri; see Loory.
Lokatay ; Riizo’s dance......II. 87.
Longevity among Bushmen. II. 57.
Longitudes of the author’s stations.
556. 205.
Long-Mountain, or Langberg. 370.
Il. 256, 241,
Looking-glass : its effects on a party
Of K6ras .....sssccesseseeee 544,
its effects on a party
of Bushmen .....ce.eeeeeee 461.
—— its effects on some
‘Bachapin women ......00. 566.
Loop! (Lope) an exclamation of
the Cape Waggoners. 169.
501.
Léory, or, Léeri, a handsome bird,
otherwise called Tooracoo. 20.
Lorilo, or Fire-stick, of the Bacha-
ISisoccsevesccaseesceneso ll. e579.
Labbe: Hendrik ...... If. 174.178.
Lucas: Hans; a friendly Hotten-
tot of Klaarwater, who accom-
panied the author to Graaff
reynét. 355. 378. 435, 454.
519. 552. II. 219.
Lucubrating Mantis ...... 418. 465.
Liipard (Leopard) ......... I. 526.
Lukojds ....scecccesssserevenee IL. 552.
Lutheran Church .......... 25. 555.

M.
Ma; a Sichuana prefix .... II. 508.
Maagers. See Magers.
Maap River, a branch of the
Gariep ... 519. 391. 401. 436.
Maat (Mate) meaning of the word
as used by the Hottentots in
the Transgariepine. II. 466.
555.

GENERAL INDEX.

Maébbélé, or, Bichu4na Corn. II.
586.

Madagascar: some instances of
botanical affinity with parts of
Southern Africa. II. 258. 263.
negroes of: in the
Cape Colony .......seeeveee 33-
Magers; a Hottentot in the service
of the author, from Cape
Town to Klaarwater. 155.
529. 580. 592.

Magerman: Oud (Old Leanman) a
Bushman who accompanied
the author from a Kraal in

the Cisgariepine to the borders

of the Colony... II. 89. 101.
108. 188.

Klein (Little Lean-
man,) a Bushboy who followed
the author into the Colony, as
far as the foot of the Snow-
Mountains. His character.
II. 101. 108.
nearly starved
with cold........-sse0e0+ II. 128.
absconds through
LEAL ecasecsterccsersesnscspllepl ile
regained, and re-
stored to his father. II. 182.
188.

Magnetic needle, strongly affected

by ferrugineous rocks. 277.

II. 298.

variation. 266. 271. II.

525.

Mahometan worship in Cape Town.
73.

Mahira; (Fat) ..esoreeeee- ID. 594.
one of the brothers of
Mattivi the chief of the Bacha-
pins: his person described.
II. 365.
his name ........... II. 375.
his dutyin the government.
Il. 451.
attempt at drawing his
POTtLAIt 2.0.00. -eereeeeee LL. 480.
Mahitu, wife of Mattivi the Bacha-
pin Chief........seses00« II. 493.
Mahitzi: see Moratzi.
Maibu ; adivision of the Baroléngs.
Il. 504. 532.
Mails of the Colony. 76. 93, 94.
II. 143.
Maize .....eceeeeevee 566. II. 7. 586.
Makatta River .....e.se.e0e00Ll. 552.
Makhowta; see also Riiter. II. 15.
Makkaba, the Chief of the Nuak-
ketsies; see also, Mdkkaba.
_ IIL. 476.
Makkabi (Makkéabi), or Bachapin
petticoat ......... II. 465. 563.
Makkas (Makkéw), or Dancing-
Tattles ..cccsecescecsensee Ue 572.
Makke Boéschjesman (Tame Bush-
MAN) eseeceese eveeveee 227. 555.
Makkwarin, or Makklwarin, River.
II. 507. 510. 312. 466.
Makrakki, chief of the Baroldngs;

poisons Jan Bloem the robber.

II. 249.

Makrakki: false report respecting.
~ IE 304,

his separation from Mu-

lihdban .......... Il. 512. 552.

his reception of visitors

from the Colony ...... II. 538.
accused of sorcery. II.

551.

Makwi mashii, (White-men): the
word analysed ......... II. 559.
Makwiin, a tribe of Bichuanas. IT.
532.

Malays in the Cape Colony. 32,
355. 70. 735.

Maléppo River ......0.....-. IL. 5352.
Mammatwan (Bat) ......... IL. 257.
Man: the Race of. 457. I. 329.
530. 548, 549. 561.

remarks on his omnivorous
NALULE 0. sescsennseesoeecstll. OO.
—— the supreme animal of the
POE, sas-ecevecnosseases MUURZOR.
naturally adopts the dog as
a companion. ......... II. 245.
Manis ; a species of, seen at Lita-
KinniveteacesccassecrteccessmilleaGs
Manjéna; or, Mangjéna (Man-
yana), an ear-ornament. II.
484. 566.

Mantis: the Lucubrating; a re-
markable insect. .,.. 418. 465.
Manure neglected by the colonists.
A heap of it found in a state

of slow combustion. II. 170.
Manure-cakes, used for fuel. II.
114,

Maps of the Cape Colony, and
Southern Africa. 48, 49. 575.
577. II. 97.

Map: remarks relative to that
which accompanies the present
Work. 575. II. 31. 185, 184.
298.

Maré: Paul; acting landdrost at
Graaffreynét ..... II. 121. 136.
140. 180. 182.

Maritime Districts ............. 580.
Maritz: Gérrit — his readiness as
field-cornet .... 241 248. 514.

his opinion of
Klaarwater .......ececerere 249,
Markets of Cape Town ......... 75.
Marriages, among the slaves of the
OLONY ...ecesseceereeseeoevee SD

of Hottentots at Klaar-
WAtEL weecccccees seecerecsees SOTs
customs of the Bush-
MEMscaasocesosocsectcss-boekl ,5Se
among the Bachapins.

Il. 485. 519. 553, 564, 565.
Marriklondmi, wife of Serrakitu :
her surprise at the first sight
of a white-man.........JI. 453.
Marruwoénnas, a Bichuana tribe.
Il. 552.

Martha, Mary, and John, three
converted Hottentots. (See
also Van Roye) ....... II. 155.

Marygold-Heights. See, Gouds-
bloems Hoogte.
Mashi 4 burfila, or Coagulated
MIU Ki sscieoesccsse Ue 525,094.
MAshué (Ugly): application of the
WOOF esccsoccscceosovessessLls 480.
Mass4é, or Masse, a Bichuana chief.
II. 552
his son takes refuge at
Litakun. .......00 II. 519. 418.
Massissan, the daughter of Matttvi.
II. 485.
begs tobacco for her
MOthE” .6..0sccereereeeee LD. 493.
Mats of the Hottentots ....... 115.
— Bushmen...... II. 198.
Mat-rushes. See MAtjes-Gdederen.
houses: their convenience for
a nomadic life ....scsee0 525.
Mate. See Maat.
Materia culinaria ............ Il. 55.
Matjes-gdederen ...... 265. II. 123.
Matter; its modifications consi-
Aered vewssseceveesscesoece LL 527.
Mattivi, or Mattiivi, the chief of
the Bachapins or Briquas. II.
305.
the author’s first interview
with him ........0..0006 ID. 561.
his person and dress. 11.361.
his trick to obtain tobacco
for his daughter. ...... II. 587.
invited to dinner in the
WaCTOMtwcccsvsscocsess Le G92.
unjustly takes away the
ElNiseseetescecoeessseass Ll, 400,
a conversation with him.
II. 418.
his salutation ...... II. 451.
his remarks respecting dis-
obedient subjects ...... II. 461.
——— his acceptance of peach-
stones. ;
his sisters ......... II. 493.
refuses to sit for his por-
ELIE ccosescesvovcsvesess LI. 495,
his story respecting Dr.
CWOWAMNI coves ccctseosssce ML. 496.
his herdsmen ...... II. 548.
his dwelling. II. 560. 521.
Measles : its first appearance in the
Transgariepine regions. 371.
Meat: mode of drying it for tra-
VEllINg .ccceccsssecvesesseene SII,
the price of, at Graaffrey-
NCL! wesevcpecevscesseosese LL, 146.
Medical knowledge, of the Bacha-
PiNSrisseceserscoeresvevvees LL. 580.
Méerkat; or, Méerkatje. 543. II.
241.
Méester; or, Schdolmeester, or
Itinerant Tutor, in the Cape
. Colony. .......... 199. II. 114.
Mélkhout (Milkwood). See, Side-
TOXylUM iMNETME ....ceeeevee 29.
Melons cultivated by the Bichuanas.
II. 587.
Memory of Hottentots, instances
Of: cedcsdsessedssosteseses 110s O75-

GENERAL INDEX.

Menagerie, in Cape Town ..... 24.
Ménschvreeters (Men-eaters) II.
159.
Meridional altitude of the sun: re-
MATKS ON 20 -ccgeosecoseceee SOL:
Mérwe: Piet Vander: of Wagen-
makers Valléy ......e0006. 180.
Frans Van der: of the
Boékkeveld .... 210. 513. II. 8.
Piet Van der: of Snéeuw-
berg. -
Mest-koek. See Manure-cake.
Metals; among the Bachapins. II.
575.
Meteorological remarks on the
Transgariepine regions ... 372.
Metsissdnni, a beautiful herbaceous
species of Acacia ..... II. 256.
Mietje, a converted Hottentot
woman who had visited Eng-
land and Holland ..... II. 155.
Militia of the Colony ...... II. 119.
Milk: its agreeable taste, when
turned sour ...se.eee+- I. 595.
Milk-bags of the Bachapins. II.
465. 523. 593.
Mill at Cape Town; the most ele-
vated habitation in Table Val-
IG concongnddeadondddongduos Aho
Mill at Genddendal ............ 108.
Mill: description of one used by
the boors and by the Hotten-
tots at Genddendal and Klaar-
water. ... 113. 565. 579. II. 4.
— at the Paarl Village ..... 142.
at Barend Bargers’s on the
Snéeuwbergen ......... II. 173.
Mimosa. See Acacia.
Minerals found in the Asbestos
Mountains ........s0eeee0ee 554
Mineral waters, in various places.
96.
Mining in various parts of the Cape
Colony recommended ..... 97.
Mint; a species indigenous to
Africa, found to endure the
greatest cold of England. 255.
466.
Pepper-: discovered in the
Transgariepine ......s0000. 495.
Misfortune River. See Ongéluk’s
River.
Misrepresentations corrected. 82.
86. 118. 346.
Missionaries : the first who resided
in the Cape Colony ...... 105.
the Moravian ... 105.
— their utility entitles
them to respect ....eeseee. 110.
may render important
services to uncivilized tribes.
Il. 429, 536.
the harm done by
those who are unqualified.
111.
— reflections on their at-
elOpts erscssieceseeet eed 2 a4.
— driven from NAmaqua-
land by Africdaner .,.... 270.

4m 2

635

Missionaries; their establishment at
Zak River. 281. 361, 362. II.
158.
remarks on their ex-
aggerated reports of their suc-
cess; and an appeal to the
reasonable _ philanthrophist.
358.
the means pointed out,
for rendering their stations
PETMANENE ..cccscvceveevceee DO7e
their hearers not al-
ways influenced by the desire
of religious knowledge: atten-
tion to the instruction of chil-
dren, recommended ...... 483.
— travels of one II. 245.
their doctrine respect-
ing the fiddle, and dancing.
II. 288.
successful trading in
IVOLY .sesceeseseceee LL. 599. 557.
at Klaarwater. 352.
517, 518, 526. 551. 535. 551.
II. 158, 225, 251, 245, 543.
Missletoe, or Vogelent, of the Cape
145. II. 146.
Misty weather of rare occurrence
208.
Mitsanna (finger-ring)...... II. 569.
Mixed-Hottentots ........ 154. 561.
Mixed form of Government: its
natural origin ......... II. 547.
Médder Rivier (Muddy River) a
branch of the Gariep. See
also Maap ...sccccossseeeee S91.
Médder-gat, in the Cisgariepine.
307. 499.
Mohaka, or Mohiaka, a species of
Tarchonanthus. IJ. 271.340.
445. 516.
Mokaala, or Mokala, a large and
remarkable species of Acacia.
See also, Camelthorn. II. 240,
292. 506. 560. 412. 465. 575.
Mokaala-Moékwi; see Mékwi.
Mokaapa; or Cape Town, so called
by the Bachapins ...... I. 365.
Mokkaba, the chief of the Nudk-
ketsies ...... I. 504, 439. 476.
Mokarraquas, a tribe of people.
II. 532.
Mokwitsi, a Bachapin...... I. 481.
Mokwi, a new species of Acacia, or
Thorn-tree .......s0006 I. 442.
Molali; or, Molaala, one of the
younger brothers of Mattivi
the Chief of the Bachapins.
II. 563.
remarks on his name. II.
375.
his duty in the Bachapin
government ......0e0e-+ I. 431.
Molappo, a river in the Transgarie-
PllClescveserssessessereenell OOD.
Mole; the Sand\....csssccescsceress 56.
—— the White-faced ......... 57.
MollisZandWiccessssecsseseses: 505.57

—— Bles POP COOOL DO EDLEOE DDO EDOOS 57.

636

GENERAL INDEX.

Mollala, or servant ... II. 548. 575. | Moths: the surprising variety of,

Méllema, or Méllemo. See, Mol-
JEMMI.ceseesceeseessoees ella 49:

noticed in the Transgariepine.
576.

Mollémmi, the eldest brother of | Motiri (Blacksmith) at Litakun.

Mattivi the chief of the Bacha-

pins:— his proposed journey

to Cape Town. II. 3557. 549.

425.

explanation of his name.

II. 549.

—— his person described. II.

563. 562.

his attempt to obtain a

G{UNe cose cnesectedecvemecei ll 408s

conversation with him on

moral and religious subjects.

II. 426—429.

his character. II. 416.

426.

his portrait. II. 463. 480.

485.

visits Klaarwater II. 479.

his house described.

II. 521.

——_—— presents his ivory brace-

lets to the author, as a token

of friendship............ II. 572.

Monaati (Good)........066 II. 400.

Monarchical form of government :

its natural origin...... I]. 546.

Monarri, a name given to the

author, by the Bachapins.

II. 456. 476.

Money of the Cape Colony... 78.

Bachapins (see also

Beads)... .seeee-secsovee II. 407.

Mootsi (Méatsi), or Public Enclo-

sure, in which the Bichuanas

usually assemble and hold their

public meeting or Piicho. II.

571.3575. 386. 464. 522.

Moravian Mission: the first esta-

blished in the Colony of the

Cape of Good Hope..... 105.
Moréekwo, an eatable berry.

II. 588.

Morg Manill! a salutation of some

Caffres ....cs.cccccsssvcevess 269.

Morina, a Karrikarri trader. II.

474. 500.

Moritzi, or Mordtzies, one of the

northern Bichuana nations.

Il. 552. 557. 567, 568.

Mossarri (Woman or Wife). IT.386.

485.

Moses, a Half-Hottentot. 299.497.

Fountain............ If. 254.

Moshowa, or Moshda river. II. 299.

356. 512.

Méshu; a new species of acacia.

II. 452. 464.

Mosses: their scarcity in the in-

terior regions of Southern

AFTICA i005 scaseecseeseeeees| 594.

Mosterts-hoek ; a pass in the Cape

Colony.......... 126. 137. 190.

Motéeno, or Bachapin woman’s

fore-apron eeeeeeoeeee II. 5635.

II. 482.
Mountains: the effects of the air
of their summits ...... 43. 47.
of remarkable shape, in
the Karréebergen. 296. 298,
299.
of the Colony, rich in
rare plants......eececceceers 205.
at Modder-gat Poort.
3508.
of the Cis- and Trans-
gariepine compared... II. 270.
of Clay-slate. See, Clay-

slate.
of sandstone ... II. 100.
~Hare .cccccerseseeee 488.
—— -Horse ..escccooevee 265.
Mourning: a manner of expressing
it, among the Bushmen. II.61.
Mozambique: negroes of; in the
Cape Colony........000. 535, 54.
?Mpa maashe (Give me some milk).
Il. 457.
>Mpa muchiko (Give me tobacco).
II. 4356.
Muchuana (Bichuana) remarks on
the word......... II. 503. 559.
Muchiko (tobacco). II. 560. 369.
592. 407.
Michiko 6kai (Where is the to-
bacco ?) .cecceseceeeeee LI. 456.
Miichinka’ (a Servant, or Poor
Man) .4.....se000 IL. 348. 575.
or Kees, a Half-Bacha-
pin, engaged by the author as
interpreter at Litakun... 485.
unwilling to accompany
the author to Graaffreynét.
543.
— joins the party at ‘Onge-
luk’s Wantein erosese ss ll y242.
his manners on entering
Bichuania ............. II. 292.
his extraordinary ora-
TIONS crececcsseeseseevere LI, 500.
his ideas of books and
WIItING ....sececeeeeeeeee LL. 558.
his display on entering
the town of Litakun. II. 359.
his character as inter-
preter. II. 563, 364, 565. 598.
sets out to visit his
Mother .....ccecereeeeee II. 486.
his simile ....... II. 491.
Mud: aplain covered with... 507.
a kind which in drying assumes
the consistence of stone. 546.
— -walls: mode of building
thEM ..acsccceccsccessoosncee 120.

Muddy-hole. See, Modder-gat.
507.

River. See also, Maap.

391,

Muis-vogel (Mouse-Bird). 214. 335.

Miukwi, a kind of Thorntree.
II. 442.

Milder Piet; arrival at his hut:
249.

takes charge of a
package of botanical ' speci-
TNETIS erovecccesccccccssereces 250.
Mulihaban, late chief of the Bacha-
pins: first intelligence of his
death ....ccccccccoeseeee IL, 217.
——— remarks on the name.
II. 217.

his injunction to Mattivi.
II. 576.

his quarrel with Ma-
krakKi .......s0000-ceeee II. 512,
— his death attributed to
SOYCELY.cseseseccesceeeee LL. 551.
Muliimo, the Devil or Evil-Spirit.
II. 550.
Mullamu (club) ...........6. II. 562.
Mulodja, a pretended eye-witness to
the murder of Dr?Cowan and
his party .......seee00e8 IL. 503.
Mulékha, a beautiful aromatic
STUD .esccccsscceerevee II. 265.
Minona tatdaio (a strong man).
II. 446,

usindach&’ (an industrious
MAN)..acceserecocveceseses ble 55%
Munklje, or Mungklie (pretty or
handsome) .........+.. I. 386.
Misch-vogel, a bird...... 215. 535.
Musési, Bachapin petticoat, or
hinder apron..... II. 465. 563.
Museum at Cape Town, proposed.
24.

British (see also British) :
forty-three large quadrupeds
presented to it by the author.
35835.

the mode in which
this present has been treated,

and the irreparable loss occa-
sioned by it............ II. 356,
Music at Cape Town.........06. 21s
at a Hottentot kraal near
the Gariep ............ II. 8, 9.
—-— at Graaffreynét.... II. 149,
150.

and dancing: remarks on.
II. 413.

Hottentot... 500. II. 287.
396. 437.

Bushman. 458. II. 66. 87.
Bachapin. II. 410. 438. 598.
European airs first intro-
duced at Litakun...... II. 437.
Musical instruments of the Hot-
tentots and Bushmen .... 458.

II. 65. 287.

Miats-vogel, a bird ...... 214. 335.
Miatsi, or Mitsu (see also Méotsi).
II. 522,

Mutton constitutes the chief food
in many parts of the Cape
Colony............ 240. II. 113.

and beef: the price of; at
Graaftreynét.....0.0000. LI. 146.

Maubo, or Bichuana bellows, de-
scribed......seereceseeee I. 485.
Mynhéer (Sir) corruptions of the
WOF seoesscerseee 269. II. 436.
Myrtles: the great height they
attain near Cape Town... 22.

N.

Nari (see also, Buffalo)... II. 250.
Na k& si aklwa (I do not under-
stand yOu) «ss. IL. 456,
Nakéeri; a species of Polecat.
II. 592.

Namaquas, a tribe of the Hotten-
LOLURACCEescsceccecsses! Wies082>
pronunciation of the

WOLU bessscsscsaseseesess 5) 1 les5O0S.
-Land. 96.562. 579. 581.
IL. 200. 568.

duif (dove) ... 318.502.
partridge, or grouse.
265. 503.547. II. 545.
pyp-klip (pipe-stone).
Il. 526.

Names of places in the Colony:
some remarks on them, and
the mode in which the Dutch
names may be Anglicised. vi.

99.
of places in Southern

Africa: the folly and vanity of

substituting European names

for those of the aboriginal in-

habitants .... «sss. 100. 286.

of places in Southern

Africa: necessity and apology

for the temporary names given

in this Work to the author’s

Stations...... 286. 557. II. 19.

of Colonists: observations

respecting them .... 118. 191.

II. 126. 158.

a Hottentot custom of

giving new ones to strangers.

II. 89.
of Bachapins, remarks on
them......000-secceseeeee LL, 575.

Nappika mountain .......... IL. 27.
Narrative of these Travels, written
on the principle of adherence

to the original Journal. vii.

II. 504.

Nature: the works of; considered.
Vili. 226. 265. 288. 504. II.528.
Naturalized plants.... 51. 37. 540.
II. 226. 280.

Natural History. See Collections.
‘Nch6é Jamhaan; a range of moun-
tains so called........ . IL. 500.
Necklaces of the Bachapins. II. 567.
made of twisted entrails,
II. 209.

Needles of the Bachapins. II. 576.
Negro Race, compared with the
Caffre Race ....ecseceseee 582.
Nék-strop, a part of the harness
Of OX€Mseccsccocesserevecers, 151.

GENERAL INDEX.

New-Holland, its botanical affinity
to the Cape ....ccccocreere 182.
Newland: the District of. See
Nieuwveld.
Newlands, near Cape Town, the
country-seat of the governor.
35.
New Year’s Fountain. See Nieuw-
jaars.
Nia Harra (No, Sir) ....... IL. 522.
Niewejaars Fontein......... II. 186.
Nietiwkerk’s .......... II. 118.121.
Nietwlands. See Newlands.
Nietiwveld, a division of the Cape
Colony ...sscscceceree 256. 272.
Mountains ...... 581.
— a Bushman in the
author’s service, from Klaar-
water to Graaffreynét ... 533.
552. II. 219.
Nightingale: an African species of.
504.
’Nkwi, or Nkwani, a spotted animal
resembling the {eGpexa:
II. 526.
Nokannfin, the original town of
the Bachapins... Il. 491. 512.
Noomnéom, see Numnim.
Nuakketsies, one of the Bichuana
nations, (see also Makkaba,
and Melitta).......e00«0 II. 532.
remarks on the word.
II. 276. 319.
——_-—— attacked by Jan Bloem.
II, 249.
reported flight of their
chicfirsccsrcsseorsesseorel la 304s
Bachapin reports re-
specting them......... II. 519.
visited by Bachapin
traders...ccesecccesseeee II. 439.
their corn-sieves.
II. 455.
a conjecture respect-
ing the botany of their coun-
EiVienmosehecsccesscotessneeutle 270%
Mattivi’s _ political
hatred against them. II. 475,
476.
-————_—— send spies to Litakun.
II. 489.
a description of the
hats manufactured by them.
II. 507.
— the first visit to this
£LIDOKs secs seseee eeces roe ls) 5Oi7-
a proof of their skill
in the art of working in iron.
II. 597.
Nuenjanni-chikuru, (Rhinoceros-
Dird)....c.c-sscccceccseee Ll. 546.
-milaapo, a remarkable
Dird ....cscseessesscerene LL. 492.
Nagariep, or Na-Gariep, the largest
branch of the river Gariép,
(see also Black River, and

Zwart Rivier,) its branches and

637

Niugariep in a state of inundation.
390.
remarks on its names.
591. II. 45,114.
first explored by the
BUENO ..creccesscocerscrecs’ 4560
forms the eastern boun-
dary of the Cisgariepine. 581.

II. 211.
— observations relative to
it....... II. 123. 126,127. 541.
Numeration; how performed by
the Bachapins......... I. 559.
Numnim, a thorny shrub, the
berries of which are some-
times eaten by the Hottentots.
192.
Nisakwa, a tribe of Bushmen.
II. 531.
Nysna lily (Cyrtanthus obliquus).
235.

O.

Oak trees of Europe thrive in the
Cape Colony..... 25. 35. 102.
; attain a large
SIZ Nesvssecsecescoucseseess 144:
Observations: astronomical, (see
also Astronomical) ...... 204.
Obelisk: one in the Cisgariepine,
formed by Nature...,.. Il. 44.
Oéffning, or Religious Meeting.

II. 174,
Official papers. See Papers.
Okétsa Gals more) ......06. II. 508.

’Olifants-végel (Elephants’ bird).
toe
Olive-tree of Southern Africa. 177.
, 343. 475. 538. II. 307.
Olyf-boom, (see Olive vere 177.
Olyvenhout-bésch: accident at.
177.

Onder-schout, (Under-sheriff,).
II. 163.
‘Onderstel; a part of a Cape
WALZON eeccevcereccccssoseee 150,
‘Onder-veld; a colonial term. 88.
‘Ongeluks Fontein....... 351. 560.
II, 257. 247,
AUVICIeeaseccocsessiees 220s
Onion: an eatable species found
Wd csscoesvessesscreccrese 296.
Opal ..csccrsceccesssceccssccssncen SOA.
Ophiology : improvements in. 475.
Ophthalmia, in the Transgariepine
TEQIONSceoseseeeeee 570. II. 580.
Optical lake ......eccccsceeeee Il. 28,
Orange treeS s.ecsceccreees -- II. 145.
River, or Oranje Rivier,
(see more properly, the Gariep).
Organ; at Graaffreynét. II.149,1 50
Organized matter .......... Il. 527.
Oriole ....ccrescsseeesveeee 464. 502,
Ornithological collection ...... viii.
II. 491. 502.
Ornithology of Klaarwater ... 501.

SOUICES seeeeeveesseaee 519,520. | Orthography of Dutch words. vi.

first arrival atit ... 389.

15. 84, 85. 3531,

638

Orthography of Hottentot and
Sichuana words. vi. IL. 252.
297. 303. 307—3s09.

Osse-wagen. See Ox-waggon.

Ostrich: remarks on the present
mode of obtaining their
feathers, and on the means of
preserving the trade in them.

2035.

——— its great swiftness. 204.258.

547.

—w— one shot, and the nature
of its flesh described. II. 3551.

associates with zebras and

quakkas.......00.6. 11.515. 420.

its plumes, used for a

Parasol......sccccocseeee LI. 560.

uses made of its feathers,

by the Bachapins ..... IT. 579.

nests found; and described.

279. II. 20. 190.

ItS CZPS..crcecscccereceee 244.

the Hottentot mode

of cooking them........ I. 22.

girdles ingeniously manu-
factured from its egg-shells.

396. II. 567.

Oud Kraaikop. See Kraaikop.

Outeniqua; see Auteniqua (Ow-
teniqua).

Out-posts of the Bachapins.
Cattle-stations.

Outspan (more correctly, Uitspan),
a Colonial word in frequent
USC.escsccvccsccscessesccesers IDs

-places: their nature and
use explained.....cccsese 92.

Overberg: Colonial signification of
the Word ....ccrcrccsreeese 88s

Oxen : the prices of...... 154. 364.

— draught: their rate of tra-
velling .......000. 28. II. 316.

—— saddle: their rate of travel-
LING ....cecevercesevenssseoe tls 51,

—— their names and characters

retained in memory by the

Hottentots... 175. IL. 8. 5735.

the Hottentot mode of break-

ing them in, for riding. 228.

attacked with strangury: the

cause and mode of cure. 175.

a Hottentot mode of healing

abscess in cattle .....0.0. 246.

— suffer from want of water.

: 500. 503.

— six lost in a storm, and
scared by lions .....se000. 35035.

their sagacity with respect to

HONS .cccevsesccsecccessceces, 450.

sometimes stray to a great

Gistance .e..ccsccccreseeosees 549,

an extraordinary circumstance
TEspecting ONE....reeeeee I. 8.

—— of the Colony: increase of.

II. 144,

—— well adapted for a journey of
research and observation. 193.
171. IL. 246. 270.

See

GENERAL INDEX.

Oxen: the difficulty of obtaining
them at Litakun...... II. 456.
Ox-waggon : its rate of travelling.
28.

P.

Paala, a species of antelope. II. 301.
414. 420. 437.

Paard: Wilde; (see also Dauw, and
Mountain-Horse), an animal
hitherto confounded with the
Zebra...... 138, 139. II. 273.

Paardeberg (Horse-mountain) in
the Cape District. 25. 44. 130.

in the Transgariepine.
II. 242.

Paarden Eyland (Horse Island). 51.

Paarde-wagen (Horse-waggon), of
the Cape Colony. 28, IT. 135.

Paarde-ziekte (Horse-distemper).

254, 509. II. 218. 242. 570.

Paarl, a remarkable rock, so called.

144.
— or Paarldorp: the village of.
76. 143.

Paauw: Wilde (Wild Peacock), a
bird so called ..........00. 395.

Paster, or licensed retailer of wine
and brandy. 162. II.145.151.

Painting : remarks connected with
the art of. 68. 265.288. II.272.
448. 562, 563.
at Litakun, by Serra-
kittu’s wife ....eeeesee8 II. 455.

Pakter ; see Pagter.

Palmite, (or Pélmiet,) a remarkable
plant which grows in many of
the rivers in the southern
part of the Cape Colony. 91.
140.

a new plant allied to it.

454.

River: remarks on its
dark-coloured waters...... 89.

Pampoen Kraal, near Tygerberg.

7174.

Panoramic view of Cape Town.

11.

Papers, granted to the author by
the Cape Government. 162.
180. 183. 193. 200. 239. 241.
249, 250. 256. 518. II. 132.
135. 140.

Paradise, a place near Cape Town,
SO! Called ictwercecesssoscsscen OO

Parasol of Ostrich feathers. IT. 360.

Partridges of the Cape Colony.

94. 270.
— Namaqua...... 265. 505.
Fountain. See Patrys

Fontein.

Pasbrief; or Passport, required for
slaves and Hottentots .... 34.
Passes of the mountains: the most
usual in the Colony-(see also
KIOOF )isseccseseeevesscen 885 89.

Pastures of Africa: a remark on
theM covessscecccccccceseseee 419.
Patani: the town of, II. 552, 533.

548.

Paterson ; his route and map. 577,
578, 579.

Patriarchal form of government.
Il. 546.

Patrys Fontein.........0.. 287, 288.

Peach-stones, taken for dissemin-
ation in the countries of the
Interior... II. 228. 280. 487.
588.

Peaches: the dried fruit much used
by the Colonists; and useful
for travellers ......... II. 488.

Peacock: Wild. See Paauw.

Peak of the Snow-Mountains (see
also Spitskop) ... II. 125. 184.

Pears: a kind of; found, when
dried, to be a useful part of
the stores of a South-African
traveller ..s.scccossssssvece 206s

Pebbles of the Gariep...... II. 215.

Péeklo, or Bachapin adze. II. 586.

Péevit, or Kéevit.......e008 544,

Péetsy; see Piitsi.

Péeli; aspecies of antelope. II.502.

Pélu i mondati; a Bachapin expres-
sion of thankfulness. II. 400.

Pén-doorn, a shrub.,........ II. 1533.

Peninsula of the Cape of Good
Hope, defined......... 75. 580.

rich in Botany...... 154.

Peppermint: a species of .... 493.

Perspective drawing, on the cylin-
dric principle, explained. II.

448.

Phenogamous plants: the disper-
SION Of .....eecseereveeee II. 209.

Pheasant ; of the Colonists... 270.

Pheli. See Péeli.

Philip, a Hottentot who was two
years and four months in the
author’s service during these
travels. 160, 161. 169. 2C6.
427. 474. 500. II. 150, 151.
235. 560, 425. 469. 491.

Physiology of vegetables: deside-
Tata IN eeeesceesserece 255. 454,

Picturesque: the true......... 288.

Pienaar, a veld-commandant in the
Bokkeveld, receives a package’
belonging to the author, but
which was afterwards lost, and
never accounted for...... 250.

Pigeon: a small long tailed species,
generally called Namaqua
Duif ....ceececeeeeeoes 527. 502.

Wood. See Bosch-duif,
and Dove.

Piicho, the Bichuana Assembly, or
Council .... I. 408. 499. 554.

Piitsa, or Pitsa; a Bachapin boil-
INg-POt.....eereree LI. 550. 465.

found in the plains. II. 456.

Piitsi, or Pitsi, or Pfitse: the Zebra.

Il. 315.

Pikenfers Kloof.......cccecsssere 88.
Pine trees...... 23, 24, 25. II. 124.
Pintado, or Guinea-fowl ...... 564.
II. 281. 546. 426.
Pipe; used by the Bushmen for
calling theircompanions. II. 24.
of the Bachapins. See
Lichdaka.
Pipe-stone, a kind of stone of
which tobacco-pipes are made.

II. 526.
Piquét-berg; a high mountain in
the Cape Colony......... 130

Pisang: Wilde (Wild Plantain)
Strelitzia augusta. 24. IT. 259.
Pitch-stone .......sccscccoeseses SS4.
Pitsa. See Piitsa.
Pitsi. See Piitsi.
Pitfalls, made by the Bushmen for
catching wild animals. 386.
405. Il. 41.
Planets; an hypothesis respecting
their heat........secessceee 497.
Plantain: Wild. See Pisang.
Plants: remarks on the hardiness
OF occcosocoqccandacntacn can aaa
an instance of their effects
on a landscape.......e000. 505.
one mistaken for a stone.
310.
See, Natu-

European.
ralized.
CXOLIG cscccscseeveseoene 22.
dried: Collections of. viii.
18. 46. 245. 293. 511. 550.
cryptogamic, and phzeno-
gamous; remarks on their dis-
semination........ 61. II. 209.
primitive location of.
II. 209.
——— minute: a mode of detect-
ing them .......0.0008 IL. 533.
Platje, a Hottentot in the author’s
service, hired at Graaffreynét :
illegal attempts to detain him.
II. 162.
desirous of taking his wite
and children with him, on the
JOUINEY....ccccreeveseees IL. 180.
his excuse for timidity.
II. 410.
his excessive fear at Lita-
KUM ..cccocenseasecscosee I]. 422,
prevaricates in his evidence.
II. 469.
Platte-klip......scceccscrsceees 40. 48.
Platte. Kloof...ccccecscerosesees 89.
Plattekop (Flat-head), a fish caught
in the Gariep 526. 425,
Platte-lens, a kind of Jinchpin.
149.
Pléttenberg’s Baaken; the north-
easternmost point of the Cape
Colony. 550, 531.564. If.124.
ayicccerserescescess) 50s
Ploughs: the kind used in the
Colony ...sccrscccscescevees. S65.
Plover ..esseseeeesess 544, 502, 548.
the Armed; a new and re-
markable species ... 546. 502.

GENERAL INDEX.

Plover: the Long-legged...... 283.
Pof-Adder, a venomous serpent.
469.
Poison used by the Bushmen for
their arrows (see also Arrows).
192.
——— drinkers, fortified against
the bites. of serpents and
wound of arrows...... II. 331.
bulb, the Gift-bol of the
Dutch Colonists.... 539. 541.
Pokdje, a part of the Bichuana
ALESSeedsossesesescerosesetlln Ol:
Pole of a waggon: the wood best
adapted for it .......e..08 177.
Polecat ; a species of...... II. 592.
Politeness: its existence among
SAVALES. oe csesccccsesnees II. 557.
Polygamy among the Half-Hotten-
LOLS cescvcsceccccccccccncecses DO Te
Bushmen. II.60.
Bichuanas. II.
572. 440. 455. 512.
Pond Station; behind the Snow-
Mountains .....0.eee6. If. 110.
Pont, or ferry-boat ...... 140. 178.
Poort, an opening through moun-
TAINS cevcecscecersveseee 41. 207.
-egdal; in the Roggeveld.
261.
Poplars introduced from Europe,
have become common in all
parts of the Cape Colony. 102.
178. II. 124.
Population of the Cape Colony.
77. Il, 144.
of Litakun...... II. 515.
of the Bachapin tribe.
II. 533.
Poppy; a new species of...... 518.
Porcupine (see also Yzer-vark).
II. 76.
Porphyry ...c.ccccoreee 398. II. 2135.
Portraits: remarks on. II. 561, 562.
Portuguese Settlements on the
western coast: the time sup-
posed necessary for a journey
thither, from the Cape of
Good Hope ......eeese0008 550.
Post, often detained by rivers. 94.
to Stellenbosch .......... 146.
—— to Graaffreynét. 76. II. 145.
Potatoes first introduced among
the Bichuanas......... II. 588.
Pots manufactured at Litakun.
Il. 594,
Potstone: aspecies of. II. 311. 526.
Poverty Kraal. II. 57. 40. 203. 205.
Pramberg ....sscccssscssseosssees S00.
Prayer proved by its effects. II.168.
Prejudices of different nations, re-
lative to food and taste. II.52.
————._ against blacks. II. 101.
Presents to the Chiefs, hints re-
specting them... ..... Il. 599.
Pretorius : Cobus: his oxen stolen.
II. 197.
Prisoners of war among the Bacha-
PINS secccscescccscceceeee LI. 555.

639

Pronunciation of Dutch words,
15. 86, 87.

of the Dutch con-
SONANES .eseeeseseveceeceeeees TO],

of the Kéra and

Hottentot languages. II. 252.
— of Sichuana words

(see also Sichuana). II. 296.
585.

Protractor: the place of one sup-
Pliedicassces. cts cesasssedses LSS
Provisions: difficulty of obtaining
them in Bichuania. II. 414.

488.
Pudding-stone ......... 398. II. 10.
Puff-Adder ...... beciteaseclecsionant 460s

Pukoghe, or Pukdje, or Pukdéli, a

part of the Bichuana dress.

II. 519, 572. 412. 570

Pumpkins.... 114. 195. 566. II. 7.

587.

Punishments among the Bachapins.

lf. 431. 544,

Purslane, found growing wild in

the Transgariepine ...... 545.
Pyk-klip. See Pipe-stone.

Pyrites of iron: cubic......... 202.

Pyramid (or Obelisk) Pass, II. 45.

Q.

Qua, a Hottentot termination; ex-
plained............ 345. II. 503.

Quadrupeds: collection of. See,
British Museum.

Quagga (Dutch orthogr.) see more
properly, Quakka,

Quakka, or Kwakka: its specific
character, distinguishing it
from the Zebra, which is also
called Quakka ............ 139.

or Zebra (see also Zebra)
remarks on the taste of the
Meat ......... 280. II. 83. 238,

—— two shot, and a skin pre-
SELVEC oneseoreonessressseress 252

a foal caught, and remarks

on the possibility of taming

Ib ccccrccccccccccsecsccseceses 486,

often associate with

OStTIChES .....sseeceseeee Ll. SIS.

frequently seen and shot

for food. 280. 287. 420, II. 42.

81. 90. 94. 98. 184. 273,

Station ... II. 83, 84. 190.

Quarterly Review. See p. 1—4.
appended to Vol. I.

Wantrouw’s
works, to be properly recom-
mended in it......se0seee0. 584.

Quartz rocks... 506. 542. II. 240,

Quince trees .... 119, II. 145. 280.

R.

Races: Horse; at Cape Town. 27.
of Man: considerations on
their origin ....0..00 Il. 549.

640

Raft: mode of constructing one.
II. 11.
Rail ..ccccceceseesscceeeceeses 502.

eeace

Rains of the Cape ewe 81.197.

on Green Point .....000 153.
— in the Karré. 215. 240. 248.
—— of the Transgariepine. 369.

495. 515, 516.
unpleasant to the Bachapins.

II. 558.

a season of rejoicing among

ay eeecheney oq000d vee II. 599.
evereccceccsceccons ses 449.

Redbesk: (Réodebekio} See also
Astrild.......0« 266. II. 41.91.
Redbuck. (See also Réodebok, and
Raala)Weccsserscesse ccs II. 501.

Redleaf (Réodeblat) a tree found
on the banks of the Gariep.
400. 404, 425.

Redness of the soil, remarkable.
304. 508. II. 266. 442. 513.

REebok ......eccevensees paodca7 II. 25.
aal .......0. Seeeeees II. 502.
Reed: the African species of (see

also Riet). 296. II. 199. 271.
410.
— employed in a simile. II. 491.
indicate a spring of water.
II. 29.
Broom. (Bézem-riet)... 124.
called ‘Spanish’ by the
Colonists... 105. 185. If. 172.
—— Thatching .......s000 Boon a
Fountain in the Transgarie-
pine (see also Aakaap) ... 542.
——-pipe of the Bachapins (see
also Lichaaka) .. . IT. 410.
in the "Réggeveld.
261.264. II. 510.

— River,

river Pass..seees seeee 265. 266
—— Sparrow «eeseeeee 440. II. 91
Station ..cccocecsccwesces II. so

555.
452.
449,
543.
. 552,
Rémschoen (Skid, or Locbenee
151.

Republican form of government:
its natural origin. II. 546—

Refraction: atmospheric. 101.

Régenwerm (Rain-worm) ...
Religion of the ae ce 1.

548.
Resin-bush ...... Sesion Spoongee Leake
Rhenoster, or Rhinéster. See Rhi-
noceros.
Rhenosterberg ......sesseeseeeee 81.
Rhenoster-bosch (see also "Rhino-
ceros-bush) ....seeree» 101, 102.
Rhenoster Poort... II. 91.93. 187.
Rivier ..... Apdo OCIC 259.
vogel .......000. seeee 245.

Rhinoceros: its hide converted
into Shamboks or whips. 86.
— one shot Dre a Bush-

Male sccccccescrerccetseue . II. 41.
mo ——— MUNG cceccccccces LL. 52.”
— the first shot.. . I. 69.

——_—— mode of hunting it.
IL. 72.

GENERAL INDEX.

nature of its hide.
Il. 73.
meat. II. 74.
its measures ... II. 75.
— a new species dis-
covered Il. 75.
— remarks on its horn.
II. 76.
— rarely to be seen with-
in the boundary of the Cape
Colony......ccssesseeeee I. 126.
— means by which a
Hottentot escaped being killed
DY ONCic..cicesscaccssoss II. 579.
——_——— bush (see also Rhe-
ndéster-bosch) 176. 255.
Il. 126.
Mountains.
nésterberg.
— Pass.
Poort.

— River.
ter Rivier.
Rhus: none browsed upon by the

wild animals......... .. If. 248.
Rice, grown in the Colony...
II. 393.
Riebeck, the founder of Cape
Town ......0. pioaesecttecsees 77.
Kastéel; a mountain so
Called .......e1000 25.44. 150.
Riem, or leathern halter. 151. 450.
II. 250.
Riet: Dak. See Reed: Thatching.
— Bézem. See Reed: Broom.
Spansche. SeeReed: Spanish.
Fontein, in the Transgarie-
pine. See ‘Aakaap.
Rivier (Reed River)..

Rhinoceros:

eeccecvccces vetoes

See Rhe-
See Rhendster

See Rhenéds-

- 261.
264.
——-rivier’s Poort ...... 263. 266.
Rifle-gun. 164. 275. II. 224, 235.
274.
Riizo (Réezo) a friendly Bushman
who accompanied the author
from the Garfep to the borders
of the Cape Colony.
his kraal, described.... IT. 16.
— his dance ..........e0006 II. 87.
—— his character ......... II. 101.
returns to his kraal. II. 108.
— second meeting with him.

II. 196.
Rivers of the Colony: the prin-
CiPalyrenecchetestiecsecseenes 126.

of the Colony : a remark-
able difference observed in
the color of their waters. 89.
90. 116.

fatal accidents occasioned
by their suddenly overflowing
their banks.......00.0. 178,179.
Periodical. 215.216. II.18.
the paucity of; in the Cis-
gariepine........ 261. II. 299.
of Southern Africa: a re-
markable circumstance ob-
served with respect to their
Fishes. .ccevorsssersesececsves, 425.

Rivers: some which run to the.
Western, and others to the
Southern Coast, have their
sources in the Snow Moune
TANSscclessaccesrsece sees I. 125.

the means used by the
Hottentots and Bushmen, for
crossing them ..... 416. II. 13.

River-Horse, (see also Hippopo-
tamus, and Zéekoe or Sea-
Cow): first sight of its foot-
MAaLKs .....eece-re 317.

remark respecting
the propriety of its names.

412,

Rix-dollar: its value in English

money, in the year 1810. 79.

in the year 1825.

IL. 540.

Roads over the mountains... 150.

of the Karré ........ 211.

of the Réggeveld......... 257.

of the Colony...... 256. 455.

—— of the Bachapins .... II. 506.

Robben (Seal) Island, in Table
Bay...sscccees scvsccsvveeee 6. 44,

Rocks of the Colony............ 29.

—— SONOFOUS ...ee0008 277. II. 45.

having a black and shining

SUITACE ...cceeescesveeeee LI. 45.

of recent formation on banks

of the Gariep .......s0.00. 598,

Fountain, in the Cisgariepine.

eeoce

295, 294.
—— in the Transgarie-
secocsecesese II. 261.

Rochiek (Réebok) .. soooes LI. 235.
——__ Fallow (Vaal Réebok).
Il. 302.

Roéggeveld (Ryeland, or Rye-coun-
try), an elevated, district of
the Cape Colony .... 81. 207.
254, 255. 506. 346. 527,
— Middel (Middle)... 256.
the mountain of.
207. 232. 246. 249, 250. 466.
558. 581. II. 211.
—_— difficulty and dan-
< ger in ascending the Moun-
tain in wet weather. 251.253,
254.

Onder (Farther)... 579.
ROKi....eseescreceeee seesseeee II. 409.
Rondebosch, near Cape Town.

35. 59.
a list of plants grow-
ing in the vicinity of ...... 57.
Roode. This word, which sig-
nifies ‘ Red,’ is usually, i in the
Cape Colony, spoken as an
Englishman would pronounce
Ro-ey, or Rowey.
Réode-békje (Red-beak) ...... 266.
II. 41.91.
Réodeblat (Red-leaf) ... 400. 404.
Roéodebloem (Red-bloom)...... 355.
Réodebok (Red-buck) see also
Paala ....sesccressseveee I. 501.
Roode Elze (Red Alder) ...... 142.

Roode Héogte (Red Heights). 86.
Kafters (Red Caftres); see
also, Tammaka and Bat4m-

MAK amaeesoreserss eronscapilles 22.5.
Valk: Kleine (Little Red
INAICON) vesescnecieessccace ses 358.

Réodezand: District of. 125. 581.
Roodezand’s Kloof (Redsand Pass).
136, 157. 181.
Roofs of houses at Cape Town. 71.
Litakun. II. 519.
Roots: eatable wild. 51. 252. 417.
465. II. 516. 552. 589.
Ropes, or Cords: the manner in
which they are manufactured
by the Hottentots......... 405.
IROSES. 2.5.0. ..0s000 Recesnees 25. II. 124.
Roye, or Royen. See Van Roye.
Rugged-Kloof .....2.s.ses0 II. 109.
Ritter (Ruiter), a Half Bachapin in
the author’s service, from the
Asbestos Mountains to Graaff-
reynét. 542. II. 5. 15.89. 219.
Ramo, or Hassagay......... II. 597.
Rushes of which mats are made.
114, 265. II. 125.
of the island in the Gariep.
II. 215.
Ruyter, a Bushman captain. 497.
Ryksdaalder. See Rixdollar.
Ryeland. See Rdoggeveld.

Ss.

Sabbath : (see also, Sunday.) IT.430.
Sack River (Zak Rivier) forming
(in 1812.) part of the northern
boundary of the Cape Colony.
261. 280. 561, 562. 560. 562.
564. IT. 609.
St. Helena: Island of...... 79. 545.
Bay, in the Cape Colony.
131. 579.
St. Paul de Loando...... 511, 512.
Saldanha Bay Nea
Salt: its scarcity and value in the
Transgariepine......... II. 480.
lakes, or ponds. 599. II. 487.
-pan Ford.......66+ papoodce 599.
Table-mountain ... 419.
—— River, near Cape Town. 51,
52. 100. 147. 170.
Simbie, a Caffre chief: one of his
brothers killed by the Bush-
men
Sandals, worn by the aboriginal
inhabitants of Southern Africa.
598. 459. II. 570.
Sand: clouds of; raised by a whirl-
Wind ....0006 Veecanecsesorens 508.
Sands of the Cape Isthmus: the
possibility of rendering them
firmer and more easily pass-
able for carriages........00.. 54.
Sand-Country. See Zandveld.
Sand-Flats, near Cape Town (see
also Zand Vlakte, Isthmus,
and Downs) 51. 58. 84, 172.

VOL, II.

Lee cccvescccscecces

oocccce Covccccccvcesccne

268. -

GENERAL INDEX.

Sand Mole: its fur supposed to be
valuable ....... Deaesteseices 56, 57.
Sandstone: rocks of. 29. 43. 294.
II. 100, 103. 511. 354.

Saqua, or Séakwa, a name 'some-
times given to the Bushman
nation 64. II. 551.
Satellites of Jupiter, may be ob-
served in the Interior of
Southern Africa, with a small
LEESCOPE! secsececscencses + 484,
Schaapdrdlletjes: a shrub, or tree,
Sto) ell exe Rapseridoonndanonnccec 31.
Schaapenberg (Sheep-mountain).
85.

Schaap-vel Kombaars (Sheep-skin
coverlet) its value and utility.

Is 175.255.

Schaep-wagter (Shepherd)... 256.
Schaapwactertje, a familiar bird, so
Calledirocesssesstacstenceaer 270.
Schélling, a denomination of Colo-
nial (Dutch) money...... 78.
Scheen, a part of a waggon... 149.
Schiet Fontein, in the Cisgarie-

eee eccoecece

PINE sevecesccceececesceccecs 296
Poort seeosseee 298.

Schistus: argillaceous (see also
. Clay-slate) .......06 29.

School at Graaffreynét ON iso)
Schirfdeberg, a mountain in the
BékKeveld...........0.0000 13°

evececcce 411.
Holes (Zéekoe Gatten).
263.

River (see also Zéekoe
Rivier). II. 118.125. 125.127.

its climate con-

sidered to be one of the coldest

in the Colony......... I. 172.

Sea Unicorn 77
Seasons in the Cape Colony. 80, 81.
Secretary’s office, at Cape Town.

Coe ccreeesescccace

78.

Of District .cesceeee 185.
——_— bird ....sereare seeeees 578.
Seldery Fontéin ........ secseece 267.

Sensavan, a remarkable cavern in
the Transgariepine, where the
sibilo is found. 414. II. 255.

256. 518.
Seringe-boom (see Melia Azedi-
TACHI) iossesereess Geseneccedees 22.

Serpentine: a species of; from
which tobacco pipes are made.

II. 511. 525,
Serpents: an antidote against their
DICE sessene seseseeusvacesseses 592,

a new mode of pre-
-serving them... 470, 471, 472.

their venom, an ingre-
dient in the Bushman arrow-
POISON .eevsevee 559, 540, 541,
their venom, sometimes
drunk by Hottentots, as a

4N

preventive against their bite.
3351.

Serrakitu, uncle to the Chief of
the Bachapins. II. 549. 361.

574.3594,

a conversation with him.

II. 440.

visit to him, to view his

wife’s paintings ...... II. 453.
Servants at Litakun ....... Il. 521.
Settlers in Southern Africa. 78.
274,

Sewing: the manner in which it
is practised by the Bachapins.

Il. 577.

Shallow-ford, on the Garfep. 521.
Shambok, a whip formed of a strip
of the hide of a Rhinoceros

or Hippopotamus. 86, 87. 411.
457. II. 78.

Sheep of the Cape Colony. 238.325.
————- their rapid in-

II. 144,

CEASE Sicesccaccsetcese

———— their price in the
Roggeveld (in 1811.)..... 259.
their price in the

Snow Mountains (in 1813.) IT.

113,
a flock returning
home from pasture ...... 242,

their food. 257,
the beauty and
value of the fur of lambs. II.

Ips
why preferred to Goats by
the Hottentots ....... II. 259.

of the Bachapins. IT. 524.
of the Karrikarries, of the
Namaquas, and of the Dam-
MALAS ec cessaseesserses ls 558,
boor, or Sheep-farmer. 240.

Il, 1735
skin coverlet. See, Schaap-
vel Kombaars.

Shepherd : Hottentot......... 258.

—— -bird........... seesees 270.

Shining-Rock. See, Blink-klip, and
Sensavan.

Shoes of hide (Vel-schoen) : their
nature, and the mode of
making them ... 214. II, 102.

Shower: thunder. 314. 537. 449.

II. 90. 111.

Shrike, (see also, Butcher-bird, and
Fiscal-bird) :........000000 502.
Shiimi, (ten)......cceeeecereee II. 559.
Sibbata, or Sibbdata, the Bachapin
Snuff-bag......... II. 561. 576.

Sibilo, or Sibiilo, a shining mineral
owder much used by various
South-African tribes for adorn-
their hair and body 414.

II. 256. 518. 362. 592. 412.
484. 494,

Sichuana language: its extent and
utility II. 503, 548.
mode of re-
ducing it to a written form.
I]. 293—295.

its orthography

eceece

642

and pronunciation ... II. 296.
307—309.
Sichuana language, various remarks
on it. II. 303, 504, 586. 399.
———— a specimen of
Itsecscesesceesoeeee LI. 581—585.
readiness of the
Bichuanas to give instruction.
II. 407.
————— surprise of the
Bichuanas on first hearing it
spoken from a book. II. 338.
Sifting-mat of the Bushmen. II. 25.
Sihitrri (Coot).......e000. Il. 546.
Sikhaka (beads): their value and
importance among the Bichua-
NAS sseevereereeesese IT, 407. 568.
Siki, a kind of acacia...... II. 241.
Sikkl6niani, a fountain in the Great
Plains of Litakun..... II. 542.
Sillabi,a Bachapin ......... II. 4381.
Silveryerss.ctsseeessceoesssees eg OT58
tree (see also Witteboom).
17. 54. 61.67.
Singing of the Hottentots. 109.
357.
of Bushwomen. II. 66. 87.
of the Bachapins. II. 458.
598.
Singkern csosserccsesscccecees Ln 465.
Sitsikamma .....sceessesesseeeee 580.
Skammel, a part of a waggon. 150.
Sketches of a traveller, constitute
a pleasing kind of journal.
II. 214.
Sketching, often the most expe-
ditious mode of making a de-
SCVIPtION .esseccscseereeeeee 411,
Skid, or Lockshoe, used in the
Cape Colony.......cceeeeee 151.
Skirmish Fountain. See Schiet
Fontéin.
Skoft, (a day’s journey). 191. 576.
Slagter’s brief ....scsesseeeseeee 201.
knegt (Butcher’s man, or
aia?) eseecceeo i ZO Leel 1S),
Slate (see also Schistus, and Clay-
slate) coeeee 29. 559. 492. 505.
Slaves in the Cape Colony. 13. 32,
55, 34.
Slavery among the Bachapins.
II. 555.
Small-pox, sometimes makes its
appearance in Southern Africa.
371. II. 149. 580.
Smell: some genera of plants may
be detected by it... 145. 186.
Smelling: the sense of; in vultures.
S77.
in some
beetles... .save-eereseere) Ls 528.
Smi-eendje (Widgeon)......... 283.
Smoking tobacco ; a universal cus-
tom among the Dutch colo-
TIStSisyoceoccoueswssesnseo) UIs M15:
— - remarks on. II.
521.
Snakes, (see also Serpents, Puff-

GENERAL INDEX.

adder, Spitting-snake)... 469.

II. 531.

Snéeuwberg Proper (Snow Moun-
tain): one of the highest
mountains of the Cape Colony.

254, II. 123, 124.

: Achter. See also

Achter seseceeeseeeeseeee II. 551.
Snéeuwbergen (Snow Mountains)
an elevated and cold district

in the north-eastern part of

the Cape Colony. 80, 81.581.

II. 121.
MPCerssceaceucseasceversssoesoes DOL:
Snow, in the Cape Colony. 81.
146. 157. 185. 194. 198. 255.
271. II. 172.

— in the Transgariepine. 369.
Il. 235.

— perpetual ; a remark respect-
ing the probable cause of it.
497.

— Mountains: Proper; or
Snéeuwberg.... IL. 123—133.
Snuff, (see also Lishuéna)... 164.
II. 116. 321. 567.

Snyman: Gérrit; a veld-cornét of
the Roggeveld ............ 257.

his ideas respecting the
author and his travelling. 239.
Soap, manufactured in the Cape
Colony .......6.. 419. II. 115.
Séndak (or Zondag, Sunday) a
word adopted by the Bacha-
PINS ...000 oseececaeooere I], 426.

Sdpje, or dram ..... esveceee LS 287.5
Sorcery practised by the Bachapins.
II. 540.

Sorrel: a climbing species of.
II. 146.

Southeaster: nature of this wind.
58.

Space, in which the solar system
revolves: an hypothesis rela-
tiVE tO It secsscccresseeeeee 497.

Span of tobacco; its quantity and
WEIGH ..06 ccsescesecoeee LI. 49,

Spansche Riet, a useful kind of
reed, cultivated in the Colony.

105. II. 172.

Sparrman: character of his book

Of travels...cecccecessesscseee 98.
his character as zodlo-

gist, defended ............ 452.
his route, and map. 577,

578. II. 559.

Sparrow: a species of; called

Koorn-vreeter (Corn-eater).
246. 259. 296. II. 91.

a species Of ........ 502.
Reed; a kind of. 440.

II. 91.

Specimens of plants (see also,
Plants): a mode of preserv-
ing them .......00. 154. 245,

Spéelman, a Hottentot who ac-
companied the author from
Cape Town into the Interior,

and continued three years
and three months in his ser-
vice.

Spéelman: some account of him
and description of his person,
and of his wife............ 167.
legal forms of binding
him in service ............ 183.
his grotesque appearance
in a cocked hat ........2. 260.
finds twenty-six ostrich-
eggs: his extraordinary con-
trivance for bringing them
HOME. .serecacccsanactscrten se 21 9e
departs with the oxen
to Elands Valley ... 553, 354.
his hut burnt down. 378.
his manners contrasted
with Philip’s........escee0. 427.
his ingenuity and accom-
plishments, in making a fiddle
and playing on it ......... 499.
his solicitude for his
* dear wife.’ ......s0ee00006 500.
shoots two rhinocerotes.
Il. 72.
in full dress...... II. 102.
claimed by his former
MASEED, nec sacscenesgesee” Ls LSI.
his display of zeal and
fidelity... .sceceeseseeeee LI, 152,
the alarm occasioned by
mistaking him and Keser for
Bushmen........+000... IL. 266,
his signal mistaken.
II. 282,
some traits in his cha-
TACLET -coccsccscseseosee Ll. 525.
the nature of his ser-
vices, and his attachment to
his master......sseee0e0 LI. 352.
his almanack ... II. 343.
his character with re-
spect to courage. II. 416. 423
his services in shooting
birds {for the author’s collec-
tlON cereecsscceseeeeeeee LI. 491.
exhibits some symptoms
of timidity during a general
alarm at Litakun...... If. 501.
Spékboom (Fat-tree) a succulent
shrub or tree.... II. 133. 144.
Spider: a venomous species, used
by the Bushmen for poisoning
their arrows ....0...0000006) 559.
Spies sent by the Nudkketsies.
II. 489.
Spidnberg, a mountain seen in the
Cisgariepine .......s.ss0008 288.
Spitskop, the most elevated peak
of Snéeuwberg or the Snow
Mountains ; and probably the
highest in the Cape Colony.
125. 184.

Spitting-Snake. See Spuigslang.
Spoon, or Liishua, of the Bachapins.
II. 595.
Spoonbill ....reccsscrerectereness SOL,

Spotted Hill. See, Bonteberg.
Spreetiw: Groene. (Green Thrush,
or Starling) ....ccccccceee 518.
————- Witgat. (White-rumped
Thrush, or Starling)...... 594.
Spring-season, at the Cape...... 81.
Springs and ponds in the Trans-
gariepine: an hypothesis re-
lative to them......... II. 511.
Springbuck (called Springbok, by
the Dutch colonists), a beau-
tiful and numerous species of
antelope : — its remarkable
and distinctive characters, and
its various names. 290, II. 109.
535.
abounds in various parts
of Southern Africa. 342. 348.
375. II.81, 414,
a stratagem employed
by the Bushman hunters, for
approaching it and other
PAMEC\seesasececeescsceses LL. .56.
annually migrates to
various and distant parts of
the country in quest of pas-
EULER ecescescesaenrcesses! [le 169.
compared with the
Raalatscrencodesceseneccas LU. SOL.
called Tsépi, by the
Bichuanas......... II. 420. 425.
Springhaas (Spring-hare, or Leap-
ing Hare). 545. 487, 488. I].5.
Sptigslang Fontein (Spitting-snake
Fountain) ........ 386. II. 261.
Spy-mountain. See Spidnberg.
Squirrel: a species of; peculiar to
Southern Africa...... II. 241.
Staart-riem; or Hottentot Tail-
1ECClesccesisestesdercesseecers) O97.
Stadhuis, in Cape Town (Burgher-
Senate House, or Town Hall).
73.

Starling. See Spreeuw.
Stars: some remarkable ones in the
Southern hemisphere, which
are not visible to England. 80.
—— their practical utility to a
traveller .... 576. II. 55. 543.
Stations on the journey: a remark
respecting their names... 286.
the utility of
adding the dates to them on
the Map ...scccccorcsssroee 576.
Steatopyga, a remarkable peculi-

arity of figure, in the women |

of the Hottentot race.... 216.
Stéek-lens (linchpin) .......... 149.
Stéenbergen (Stony-mountains) in

the Peninsula of the Cape of

Good Hope ....ec0.00 2. 61.
Stéenbok (Stone-buck), a species

of antelope; described... 202.
found in various parts of

Southern Africa .... 281. 452.

I], 15. 242. 437,

Stéenbrass or Steenbrassem river.
87.

Stellenbosch: the village of... 76.
a5:

GENERAL INDEX.

Stellenbosch: the District of... 75.
Stephanus, a pretended missionary
among the Half-Hottentots on
the banks of the Garfep: his
IMIStORY- Mees csceeceecseesesseny O02.
Stink Fontefn .......ssessecere 266.
Stinkhout (Stinkwood) a valuable
timber tree of the Cape
LOLESES serescsceevessesscecasesn ilies
Stiver (Stuyver, or Stuiver) a de-
nomination of money used in
the Cape Colony .......... 79.
Stéckenstrom, Mr.: landdrost of
Graaffreynét, who was un-
happily murdered by the
Caffres. 530. II. 106. 120.167.
Stoep (Stupe) a raised platform or
terrace in front of the houses
of Cape Town......sccsceeee 71.
Stonebuck. See, Stéenbok.
Store-room of the Bachapins.
II. 520.
Stérmberg, or the Storm Moun-
CAINS eceeccecesecerteseescees! OSs
Straat (Street): a singular rocky
defile, so called............ 197.
Streets of Cape Town. 16. 44. 70,
71.
Strangury in oxen: the cause of,
ANGICULES. vecvcrcssccosiessees 1 TOs
Stiurman, a Hottentot in the
author’s service ; from Graaff
reynét, into the Transgarie-
pine. II. 166. 235, 234. 379.
3585. 405, 422. 432. 458.
Stuyver, or Stuiver. See, Stiver.
Succulent plants: drawings of
them should be made on their
NaAtivelsOlesiescssccssssoses “2L2:
Sugarbirds: their beauty of plum-
ALE cocesessccccccccesess 18, 222.
the Green......c0e0 245.
StAatlonsectecsenes. oa0'222.
Sugarbush, a handsome shrub. 18.
Suiker-bosch. See, Sugarbush.
végel. See, Sugarbird.
Simi, a word used by the Bichu-
anas, to express ‘ten’ or
CMAN Ypesdessesseenrssoosr lb 59:
Summer in the Cape Colony. 81.
in the Transgariepine. 368.
491. II. 526.
Sunday, at Tys Kraal ......... 251.
at Klaarwater... 355, 356.
at Groote Fontein, in the
Transgariepine .......ee00. 462.
at Litakun ....... 425, 426.
River (Zdndag Rivier). 100.
580, 581. II. 125. 138. 144.
169.211.
Sunrise on Table Mountain ... 40.
on the banks of the Gariep.
LSM
Transgariepine.
II. 523,524.
Superstition of the Bushmen. 408.
—— of the Bachapins. II.
423, 424, 550.
Swallows.....ssesesese+ 50. 555. 502.
Swallows useful to travellers, by

4n 2

in the

643

indicating the presence and
situation of water ......... 21.
Swallow: Mountain. See Berg-

zwaluw, or Bee-eater.
Swellendim, or Zwellendim. 75,
76. 578.

T.

Taaibosch (Tough-bush), a shrub.
II. 234.

a Kéra chieftain: his

arrival at Litakun. II. 214.486.
Fountain... II. 234. 237.

Table Mountain (Tafelberg) at
Cape Town : — first view of it
AUISCANvaseccessccasssescecess, Le

the remarkable
cloud with which its summit
is often covered ....0000. 5. 8.
itsenormous mass,
viewed from the Town... 14.
an excursion to

ItS SUMMIt .eccecoenes 59.
its height .... 435.
view from its
SUMMibi cess caccnsecscassccesen44<
its botanical pro-
ductions ......00006 42. 45, 46.
seen fromBavidans
WlOOfseccctescccccccdesesseesom dull’.
seen from Wit-
SENDETOgsssiassecseseicessssea sg loi
seen from beyond

Pampéen Kraal............ 176.
seen from a dis-
tance of forty-eight miles in a
direct, linedsccsescceuccohess 181.
of the Karrée-
bergen, innumerable...... 293.
— a remarkable one
on the southern side of the

KV GATED Eecccsetetsce ores LO}
—————— Bushman. II. 34.
100. 184.

Great; on the

Colonial boundary northward

of the Snow Mountains. See

also Groote Tafelberg. II. 105.
———__ Little; in Achter-
Snéeuwberg. See also Kleine
Tafelberg.......s0se0008 II. 118.
Tadentaal (see also Guinea fowl,
and Pintado) .....cece0e0. 3564.
Tafelberg. See Table Mountain.
100.

Groote 94. 105.
Kleine. II. 117.124.1835.
Tails of animals: the cruelty and
folly of mutilating them.

II. 250.

Tail-piece, a singular part of the
Hottentot dress .......06. 597.
Takoon (Takone): remarks on the
WOLGsvsisesestedcsersecteecul lees O 7.
Takkarii (see also Afrdvark, and
Ant-eater) .....0..0..6 I. 424,
Tallama (Buttons), a favorite orna-
ment with the Bachapins.

II. 567.

ecoee eoce

trae

Vlo.e

644

Tama, a large eatable root, grow-
ing in the Transgariepine.
é II. 589.
Tambéer: Jan; a Hottentot. 65,
66. 148. 155. 160.
Tambookies, or Tambikis, a tribe
belonging to the Caffre race.
582.
Tammakas, or Batammakas (see
also Red Caffres), a tribe of
the Caffre Race. II. 505. 552.
—--—— invade the country of
the Bachapins and carry - off
their cattle ...... II. 476. 500.
Tammani, or Litammani, a large
seed, sometimes eaten in the
Transgariepine, or used for
Necklaces.....seeseeeee- IL. 590.
Tang, one of the principal parts of
a Cape Waggon....coeeee 150.
Tanning: the manner and materials
adopted by the Boors and
Hottentots::....cercerss+ses 248.
—-—— a process used instead of
it, by the Bichuanas. II. 590,
591.
Tape-worm, a species of, found in a
bird (ovneessscieeneeasscenssass 205:
Tarchonanthus, a shrub bearing
cotton-like seed, and very
abundant in the Transgarie-
pine......... II. 241. 247. 264.
its leaves not eaten
by the wild animals... II. 248.
Station ... II. 289.
Tarka: a district in the north-
eastern part of the Cape
Colony .......0.0. 75.96. 581.
Taste of different nations, not to be
condemned......c0..ee0. Ll. 53.
—— disgusting depravity of. II. 69.
—— of imagination, should take
its rules from Nature ... 288.
among the Bacha-
PlNSiovcsececntersscecrecsmllgD 96.
Tea, a beverage much drunk by
the Boors ....cccccccseeeee 142.
—— the Hottentots exceedingly
fond of it. 564. 455. II. 466.
not unpleasant to the palate
of a Bachapin......... Il. 395.
arefreshing and necessary drink
for travellers in the hot climate
of Africa ....... 385. 435. 508.
Téerput (Tarbucket) a necessary
‘part of the equipment of a
travelling waggon......... 151.
Teeth of the Bushmen: a singular
fact respecting them...... 292,
Telescopes for astronomical pur-
poses in the Interior ; not re-
quired to be of great power.
484.
Thallite.......scscreccsereersees LL, 240,
Thanks: the Bachapin mode of
expressing them...... II. 599.
Thatch: a durable kind of. 26.263.
at Litakun......... II. 520.
Thatching Reed. See Reed.

GENERAL INDEX.

Theatre at Cape Town...... 20. 74.

Theodolite: one easy of construc-

tion, with which a traveller

may remedy the want of a

better instrument... 132, 133.
Thermometrical Observations,

during these Travels. 251.

Il. 53.

—__—____-——-— at

Cape Town.........ereccceree 81.

at

568.

at

Klaarwater ........0sseeee
Litakuni ss. ..cssseuscees (lly 207
Thermometer: remarkable in-
stances of its wide range during

a few hours ... 261. 283. 375.
accidents with them.
458. II. 509.
Thorn-tree (see also Doornboom,
Karré-doorn, Acacia, and
Camel-thorn) ...... 195. 501.
Thread: Hottentot (Hottentotsch
Garen); divided sinew, so
called in the Cape Colony.
214.

Threethorn (Driedoorn), a remark-
able shrub. 299. 448. II. 23.

41.
Thrush: the Green. See Spreeuw.
—aspecies Of ...se0ee008. 502.

Thiko, or Bachapin needle. I1.576.
Thunberg: his travels in the Cape
Colony .... 98. 153. 175. 225.
577. 579.
Thunder-storms.... 314. 337. 450.
II. 90.
Ticks, found on hares ......06. 290.
Tiger of Africa. (See also Leopard).
16.167. II. 40. 144. 570.
OL ASla.cccscvenccsssssecossmueed:
Mountain. See Tygerberg.
Timber used in Cape Town. 71,
72. 92.
in the Réggeveld. 225.
in the district beyond
the Snow Mountains. II. 114.
at Graaffreynét. II.146.
at Klaarwater, in the
Transgariepine .....teeeee. S67.
at Litakun... II. 515.
— waggons from Auteniqua-
land. oie ccsscsctemsesncesesenen Ole
Tinder-boxes among the Bacha-
580.
575.

PINSiescweccercecesasesess LU,

Tipa, or Bachapin knife. II.

Tky, an eatable root ......422. 465.
Tkysi. See Kysi, or Keisi. 386.
405.

Tobacco, a production of consider-
able importance to the inha-
bitants of the Cape Colony.
See also, Smoking......... 80.

indispensable for tra-

in Southern Africa.
195.526. I. 166.

Hottentots, Bushmen,

and all the tribes of the Inte-

rior excessively fond of smok-

vellers

ing it. See also Muchiko’
156. 206. 292. 297. 364. 388.
591. 408. 480. II. 18. 56. 59.
49. 86. 89. 95. 197. 189. 219.
522. 569. 588.
Tobacco of the-Colony: the form
in which it is usually manu-
factured .....cssecssecesee II. 48.
the manner of employ-
ing it in barter ......... Il. 49.
the want of it, produces
an extraordinary effect on the
author’s party......... II. 544.
— Pipes, made of a kind of
StONEs..orcereoreeeasseect lly 526.
Plant: its introduction
into Southern Africa. II. 521.
not cultivated by
the Bachapins......... Il. 588.
Toga of the Romans, compared
with the Kardéssand Kobo. 597.
Toit’s Kl00f ....cccccssoeveseeees 89
Toit: Jacobus Du......... 117, 118.
Coéotje Du ..........00008 191.
Tokwi, a species of Aloé growing
in the Transgariepine. II. 352.
Tondelblad, or Tinder Plant. See
Hermas gigantea ......... 151.
Torch-thistles of South-America,
are represented in Africa. by
various species of Euphorbia.
251.
Toértel Duif (Turtle Dove). 213.
518. 501.
Tough-bush. See Taaibosch.

Totracoo. See Loory, or Léeri.
Tracks: cattle followed by means
of their footsteps. 456. II. 285.
of animals: the art of as-
certaining them. II. 91, 92, 95.
of waggons: information
deducible from them. II. 91.
93.
Transgariepine, a geographical di-
vision of Southern Africa.
324, 581.
its weather. 568.
372. II. 526, 527.
grassy mountains
rarely seen in it ...... IJ. 291.
its geology. II.311,
312. 554, 555.
its sky, cloudless
during the greater part of the
- YEA ysceeeceaccesoscponssglliaode
Trap, the step of a Cape waggon.
150.
Travels: the author’s views and
~ general scheme. v. viii. 15. 49.
195. 511—513. 11.353, 354.
510,
Narrative of the present;
written on the principle of
adherence to the original
journal..........e..+.Vii. II. 504.
books of: the advantages
and disadvantages which they
offer to a traveller ....... 163.
Travellers: the necessity for their

acquiring a knowledge of the
language of the country. 13.
Travellers, substitute for a theo-
GOliterisscusdecocssenss 152, 133.
mode of drying speci-
mens of plants, without press
OY PAPEL ceececeveesceenees 154,
in the Cape Colony: a
CAULION tOssersreseessevenes 250.
advice to those who ex-
plore the country of the Bush-
MEN” fo.cesccncvecsseesscnces 294,
remarks on the art of
drawing, as applicable to their
views. 411. II. 214. 562, 563.
—— confidence in the natives.
4b2ee

in the Interior of Africa:
the difficulties of their situa-
TOM sverieseeassesctecse OO0,1007.
in Africa: advice re-
specting their observations for
the latitude ......seccere 576.
their duty with respect
to names of places, and new
WoOrdSiiessctcseterscesieee! LI. SOS.
guilty of dishonesty, by
practising any of the arts of
exaggeration.......e LL. 568.
ignorant of a language ;
liable to imposition 15. II. 432.
the degree of authority
necessary to their success.

II, 472.

Travelling in the Colony: the
usual mode adopted by the
colonists.... 76.92. 141, 142.
220.

distances: a rule for
estimating them .......0+. 90.
with ox-waggons, 28.86.
155. 163. 166. 174. 576. II.
WAS 298235416

with horse-waggons. 28.
II. 171. 516.

on oxback......... II. 51.
——~—— on horseback. 220. 576.
II. 145. 516.

by night: objections
ALAINSE It ...seececeeseeeese 179.
expeditious; disadvan-
CAGES Of recssesccorescecsers 195.
on foot: instances of
great expedition, in various
tribes of the aboriginal inha-
bitants. 287. 498. II. 71.195.
218. 518,

—-—— a mode of ascertaining
the distance...... 289. II. 541.

the pleasures and enjoy-
ments Of .....s0rcere 444. 474,
the salt Of.....e.seee. 445.
in the Interior: some
YEMALKS ON ..eeeveecesveeee 504.
in the Interior: its
dangers and difficulfies. 518.
in Southern Africa: an

—

——

—

essential principle of. II. 270. |
\

GENERAL INDEX.

Trees: their scarcity in some parts
of Southern Africa. 102. 514.
II. 110.115.
Tréktouw (Drag-rope). 151. 450.
II. 251.
Trigonometrical measurement of
the breadth of the Gariep.
319.
measurement of the
breadth of the Kygariep or
Yellow River .......sc000. 441.
Tronk volk, or Jail Hottentots.
II. 158, 159. 164.
Tray (more commonly pronounced
Trééy) a Hottentot woman
(the wife of Juli), who accom-
panied the author’s party, —
her excellent character. II.
181.
her alarm at a lion... II. 191.
and her child, narrowly escape
being drowned in crossing the
Gariep......sccccoosesee IT. 215.
— is left at the Hottentot kraal
at Grootedoorn; till the re-
turn of the party from the
Interior .......... I, 225. 251.
Tryn, or Katryn, a .Hottentot
woman affected with steato-
PYGA sescesvivetetscssevenies 216,
Tsdmma, or Bachapin walking-
stick.......0. II. 441. 446. 574.
Tsépi, a species of Antelope. II.
420. 425.
Tulbagh: the village of......... 76.
the district of......0.. 75.
a visit to, and descrip-
HON OF eressscscteaces 127, 128,
second Visit t0....«. 182.
distances from. 555.557.
Drostdy: description of.
128.
= objection to
tS SICUATION .esseveceeeeeee 128.
information re-
ceived there, of the arrival of
a package belonging to the
author, which was never after-
wards accounted for..... 250.
Turf, or green sod: its scarcity in
Southern Africa ...... II. 125.
TULMELIC: ceasccesesciesseceseeeocess OO.
Turtle-doves......... 215. 518. 502.
Tutor: Itinerant. See Meester.
Tway! a Bushman - salutation.
II. 84,
Twilight: its duration, in the
Transgariepine...... 536. 495.
Tygerberg (Tiger Mountain). 25.
AA Ss
ys-kraalivessccssessservassi 220s 20.1.

—eEESEE

U.

Z

Uitenhage: the Village of. 76. 92.
96. II. 541.

———— the District of ....... 75.

645

Uitspan. See Outspan.
Umbrella: its utility to a traveller
in Africa......... 509. T1454.
made of ostrich-plumes.
II. 579.
Uncle (Oom): in what sense this
word is used in the Colony.
499.
Unicorn of the Moderns; con-
sidered to be merely a creature
of the imagination ....... 432.
arguments
against its existence... I. 77:
the Sea~’....cccceooes I. 77:
Unlucky - Wood, a_ remarkable
shrub ....... II, 258, 451. 499.
Ursa major; a constellation never
, Visible at the Cape......... 80.
Uyentjes: Bushmen’s: small eat-
able bulbs... 417. 548. II. 26.
,—— _ Water
Uyentje-zak \.s.verevessoeees- LI. 57.

——

Sesecreseeseses fl.

V.

Vaal Leeuw, (Pale Lion)... II. 192.
Rivier. See Kygariep.
Vaccine matter, taken into the In-
CellOLasserseceececcesetevesen, 185;
_ occasion of its
falURe’ i. ccvsseccccsserssseee OT]:
Vaccinators: a caution to... 276.
Vaillant. See, Le Vaillant.
Valk: Kleine Roode...... 338. 501.
Valley: various interpretations of
the Dutch word; and its pro-
NUDNClAblONssescscceteceesess DLO,
Vanderbyl, a colonist at the Paarl
WillameWeesccsersessesstesesen 140:
Van der Merwe; acolonist on the
Snow Mountain ...... II. 182.
Van Héerden, a colonist on the
Snow Mountains...... II. 171.
Van Roye, (or Van Rooyen), a
Hottentot in the author’s ser.
vice: (see also Roye) his his-
LOLY cccseecnsersesecccess Ll 155:
— — hired ............ ID. 156.
meets with his son in
the Transgariepine... II. 230.
his absence, at Ongeluks
Hountainies. sess csceesost LI
sent on search of Speel-
man and Platje, at Kosi Foun-
Calne scssesswoerssssesss sel NOS9:
his character ... II. 286,
feigns illness, for the pur-
pose of evading a journey
back to the Kruman. IT. 313:
518.
through fear, absconds
at Litakuny..:....:....0L1. 425.
his services during the
journey .......... II. 457, 458.
his disobedience and bad
conduct .... II. 459, 460. 467.

- 257.

646

Van Roye, tried at Litakun, for
MULINY sesecescccceceoee LL. 468.
Van Wyk: Jacob; a boor on the
northern borders of the Co-
lony: inhospitable reception

at his house. II. 104, 105.
108. 183.

Vanity: personal. 413, 414. II. 566.
575.

Variation of the compass. 266. 271.
375. II. 325.

Vegetable payne ey See Plants.
————— life ......sseee008e ID. 527.
fit for culinary use, sel-

dom found wild in Africa.
545.

culinary ; introduced into

the Transgariepine (see also,
the Garden) ....... II. 280. 588.

80. 93. 118.
240, 248. 366. II. 118. 143.

Vegetation on the northern and
southern sides of the moun-
tains, Giffers .....ccccosesceee D1.

its rapidity, after the

See Rains.

of bulbous plants. See
Bulbous plants.

Veld-cornét (Field-cornet) a civil
officer in the Colony: the na-
ture of his official duties. 76.

various examples of.
174. 189. 191. 238. 241. II.
119, 120. 127.

Veld-commandant (Field-command-
ant) a leader of the Colonial
Militia ......+0e006 250. II. 120.

Vel-kombaars (Sheepskin Coverlet).
See Kombaars.

Vélschoen (Hide Shoes ) the man-
ner in which they are made.

214.

rains.

Vendue. See, Auction.
Venison of Southern Africa. II.281.
Verkéerde Valley ....... 197. 579.
Vermetlen: Piet; a boor in
Achter-Snéeuwberg. II. 111.
183.
Vignettes of the present work. vi.
: II. 340.
Viljoen: Jan; a boor on the Snow
Mountain .........0066. IL. 176.
Villages of the Colony, enumerated.
76.
Vineyards. 63. 74. 118. 144.179.
Vinegar, its utility to South-Afri-
can travellers. ......... II. 287.
Visch Rivier: Groote (Great Fish-
River) .....s.0. 100. 575. 579.
in Great Namaqua-
landUccccesccnesceesseececersy OO:
Vischer’s-hoek, in False Bay. 86.
Vlier: Wilde (Wild Elder) .... 94.
Végelent (Mistletoe) ........... 143.
Volatile Alkali, a valuable medicine
against the bite of venomous
serpents. 592. 541, II. 14. 130.
Volcanic appearances. 95. 175.
308. 474,

GENERAL INDEX.

Voéorhuis, the hall of a Dutch
colonist’s dwelling-house. 118.

140.

Voéorspan, a relay of oxen provided
under the authority of govern-
ment...... 185. 185. 256. 256.
Véor-stel; the fore-part of the
carriage of a Cape-waggon.
150.

Véortouw; or ForeDrag-rope. 174.
VIOUW ceccsscossceeseee 500. EI. 177.
Vulgar: a term not applicable to
the Bachapins ......... II. 556.
Vultures .......eeeecee. 214. II. 414.
the Sacred Egyptian Vul-
ture, called by the Boors,
Witte Kraai, or White Crow.
538. 502. II. 194.

the large black. 377. 492.
Il. 194.

——-- the nest of one, found.
473.

new species observed in
the Cisgariepine. ..... II. 194.
-- their utility, conformation
and habits, examined. IJ. 525.
description of the Linong,

a new species .....0.. II. 529.
Station ...cccovvell, 195.

WwW.

Wagenboom (Waggon tree): re-
marks on the nature and ap-
pearance of its wood .... 123.

--—_——- said to have been seen in
the country of the Nuakket-
SlESicssestecseadessevnscot lls 174.

Wagenmaker’s Valley. 159. 178.

179.

Waggons of the Cape Colony: a
description of one ....... 149.

—— well con-

structed for travelling over a

rugged COUNETY .....000004 152.

represent-

ations of them .... 26. 52. 82.

additional

remarks on their construction.
II. 261. 529.

———— See also

Ossewagen, and Paardewagen.

———— belonging to the Half

Hottentots. 2352. 531. 385.
468.

picturesque

appearance of a caravan of.
282. 288.

the author’s: a descrip-

tion Of ....se006 149. II. 479.
——_——_— a repre-
sentation and plan of. 148.
171.

its con-
TENES .....cevccceveeeee 164. 169.
—S = proves to
have been overloaded. 174.
NY¢fefo

Waggon: the author’s: the only
shelter or home during nearly
four years’ travelling... 194.
244, 246. 261.517, 518. 474,

475.
its internal
arrangement. 1635. 165. 241.
— a second
_ purchased. 184. 256. 572. II.
479.

Waggon-tracks. See Tracks.

Waggon-tree. See Wagenboom.
Walls of mud: the mode of con-
structing them. See Mud-
walls.
—— of sticks and clay, at Lita-
Kun, .cccsccecsoveee LL. 518, 519.
Wankets, (Nuakketsi) a tribe: re-
marks on the word ... II. 276.
Wantrouw, the author’s dog: his
HistOry .eeccoereoeeee 582, TSR
his travels and memo-
TANAA cecccssecvcecseveessoes S04.
— eosveere 415. II. 2. 25,
War: the arts of: compared with
those of peace ... Il. 484. 547.

Warfare of the Bushmen. 373.
391. 592. 456. 443. 5359. II.

61. 62.

Caffres ...... 494.

— Bachapins. II.

477, 478. 490. 500, 534, 535.
Warm Baths, at Zwarteberg. 95.
——— in the Cape Colony
and adjoining regions ...... 96.
at Brandt Valley. 124.
Waschboschjes (Wax-bushes.) See

Myrice, in general, 15; and

Myrica cordifolia, in particu-

lari wesserescoteicscsceccacceasess! OO:
Washing feet; the ceremony of.

HI. 122.

Water: its general scarcity on the
western side of the extratro-
pical part of Southern Africa.

82.

deficiency of it, in the
Karré, during a great part of
the year. 215. 220. 222, 293,
225. 240.

sufferings from want of.
500. 305. II. 205.

of many rivers along the
southern Maritime Districts of
the Colony, of a brown colour.
89.

delusive appearance of. II.
28.

a word very frequently
found inthe names of places in
the Cape Colony, and over the
whole of Hottentotaria. 259.
indicated by birds. II. 20.
— plants. II. 29.
the Bushmen often live at
a distance from it .... II. 189.
Mineral ......c00ceseeeree 96.
Water-drum, of the Bushmen. II.
65. 87.

Waterfall on Snéeuwberg. II. 170,
Watermelons, cultivated by the
Bachapins. Il. 587.
Water-point, in the Cisgariepine.
IL. 56. 47.

Water-tyentjes, an eatable root.
51.

Waveren. See, Roodezand. 125.
Wawakoo, a Bushman dance. II.

66. 87.
Waxbill. See, Astrild; and Roode-
bekje.
a new finch allied to it.
I. 269.
Wax bushes. See Waschbosch-
jes.

Weasel; a species of;
Méerkatje ..

called
eveccccees O40-
various species used for

making fur-cloaks .... II. 592.
Weather of the Cape Colony. 81.

Transgariepine.

368. II. 259.465.

observed during these

LEAVE SWesdwestscenscess suse 251.
Weights; Dutch; compared with
‘English ee cebcesciosseectiasece 154.
Werf: Colonial aeuibeation of the
word . . 258.
Western Districts, of the Colony.
580.

Wésthuisen: Jan Van der; his

mode of attending to the duty

of furnishing the relays ... 249.
Whips of the Cape waggoners :
their extraordinary length. 52.

——_ the powerful

sound produced by them, and

their rent utility in making

signals .... 169. 422. II. 234,
Whirlwinds .. Mpatete ces eseesies-DOTs
Whistles : Bachapin hodenne “TL. 578.
White-men ; called ’Ggsa or ’Gow-

sa, by the Bushmen ... II. 210.

Makwé mash,

by the Bachapins ..... Il. 440.

— opinion of the Bacha-
pins respecting them. II. 558.

— astonishment occa-
sioned by the first sight of.
Il. 454.

their proportionate
population of the Colony. 77.
I]. 144.

White-stem (Witgat boom), a re-
markable tree. 543. 452. II.18.
Whoo-ah! (Halt!) a cry of _the
WaggON-FIVELS seeseeeeeere :
Widgeon. See Smi-eendje.
Wilde (Wild). Names beginning
with this word, and not found
in this place, are to be sought
for under their proper name
Wildebeest 4351. Il. 109. 278.
mide ah uale (Wild Horseches-
Wilde Peal (Wild Horse). 138,
159. II. 27

GENERAL INDEX.

Willems: Philip. See Philip.
Wilgan-boom. See Willow.
Willow of the Gariep, described.
317.

a singularity observed in

the growth of some, on the
banks of the Kygariep ... 425.

an instance of their
quickness of growth...... 490.
indicate to a traveller, at

a distance, the situation of
WALET: Seo secceressconcorees II. 29.
species observed on the

Snow Mountains...... If. 172.
Winds at Cape Town. 36. 58. 81.
their dry nature and eftects
in the Interior .......eeee 488,
-—— in the Transgariepine. 508.
Il. 524, 516.

Wind-hetvel ; a steep mountain in
theyNWarrOe scetss cies 231. 235.
Station. 233. 955,
236.

Wine of the Colony. 62, 63. 118.
206. II. 593.

Winters of the Cape Colony. 72.
81. 153. 176.
Snéeuwberg .... II. 127.
the Transgariepine. II.

299, 524,

Winterhéek, near Tilbagh.

——-

185.

Wire-grass ....eeeeee00 IL. 5.7. 217.
Witgat boom ....... . 543. II. 18.
SPLECUW coscsssessess. +. 594,
Witsenberg, a mountain near Til-
bagh +. 1350.
Witteberg, or Wittebergen. 207.
Witteboom, or Silvertree 17. 54.

61. 67.
——_———a place near Cape
RONAN bandgacsnbasoadodode ow Gl,

Wittedoorn (see also Karré- doorn,
Déornboom, and Acacia.) 195.
Witte-Elze, a tree so called by the

Dutch Colonists .......00 143.
Wittehals Kraai (White-necked
Grow) icscosaeseesersesscetsss 501.
Witte Kraai (White Crow) «. . 538,

Wittewater, in the Transgariepine.
See Gattikamma.

Wolf: the Common; compared

with the Hunting Hyena. IJ.

229.

— the Spotted Hyena, com-

monly so called, in the Colony.

II. 277.

Women: Hottentot: remarks on

a peculiarity of form, occa-

sionally observed among them.

216.

——-—— Bushman. See Bush-
women.

— Kora ....... 344. II. 565.

Bachapin. II. 553. 563,
564.
Wood: its structure, if more deep-

ly examined, may afford some

647

additional light to the study of
Botany ........ svvccsee 125,
Wood: the Unlucky; a shrub not
used by the Bachapins for

fuel-..s ses 00 II. 258. 451. 499,
Wood-cutter (Hout-kapper), a bird
SO: CALLE... cu. sowenbalcses +. 518.
Sa ees a remarkable species
eevececccscccveres ecoceceses 245.
Wortel Fontein . Rescoseres . If. 184.
Wormwood: Wild, or African.
480.

Wyk: Jacob van. II. 104. 105.
183.

Wy nberg .erccsserseresees 59, 60. 65.

We

Yam (Dioscorea): a wild plant,
botanically allied to it IT. 147.
the Water: the cultivation
of it neglected .........:.... 24.
Yellow dye, or ink, may be ex-
tracted from a wild shrub
found in the Karré ....... 212.
Fish (Géelvisch) 262. 280.
astonishment of some
Koras at a drawing of one.
441.

River (see also Vaal Rivier,
and Kygariep). 391. 401. 441,
581.
Wood (Géelhout), one of
the largest trees of the Cape
forests, much used for timber.

72, II. 114.

Yokes of the Cape waggons, de-
scribed . 151,
Yoke River ...csccescensvee 225, 229,
Yzerhout (Ironwood) ....... ee BO:

Z.

Zand-Moll (Sand Mole) ........ 57.
Zak Rivier. See Sack River.
Zand Valley, near Tygerberg. 172.
— in the Cisgariepine.
3509.
Zandveld, in the Transgariepine.
I. 242.
Zand-Vlakte, near Cape Town,
(see also Sand-Flats, Isthmus,
DOWNS) wrsessersceerovseeeees
Zebra, distinguished from ie
Quakka and Dauw or Moun-

tain Horse ...... 159. IT. 515.
a skin of it, formed into a
tanning-vat ws... seneseaece 245.
a remark on the name.
420.

a troop of thirty, seen
420

amale and female, shot.
451, 452, 453.

648

Zebra, a foal, caught; and an at-
tempt tO rear it .....060008 486.
——— the flesh eaten by the Hot-
tentots and other aboriginal
LYIDES ercovcercovecsseceee IL, 258.
extraordinary beauty
when seen on its native pias,

Il. 515.

——— is frequently found in com-
pany with the ostrich, IT. 315.
——— an animal of frequent oc-
eurrence in the Transgarie-
pine ; but not observed south-
ward of the Gariep. II. 278.
302. 420.

Zee-bimbos, a large kind of sea-
weed peculiar to the Cape of
Good Hope ...... secccseceee 28.
Zéekoe (Sea-Cow) a Coloniai name
for the Hippopotamus. 409.
411,412. II. 212.

gatten (Sea-cow holes). 265.

———ae its

172, |

GENERAL INDEX.

Zéekoe Rivier ......,.. II. 118. 123.
— no longer abounds
in Hippopotami........ II. 127.
— Valléy, near False Bay. 46.
ZCOlILC wacesovecssscceseecses oo Ll. 215s
Ziekenhuis (hospital) for lepers.
/101.

Zitzikamma. See Sitsikamma.
Zondag Rivier (Sunday River).
100. II. 125.
Zonderéinde Rivier (Endless River)
103, 104. 116.
Zoology of Southern Africa, com-
pared with that of other coun-
tries ......... 24.252. II. 207.
Zoological Boundaries ......... 324.
Reasonings .... II. 76. 77.
525—329.
Zéut-pans Drift (Saltpan Ford} 399.
Zoute Rivier, near Cape Town,
see also Salt River) 51. 100.

THE END.

Lonpon:
Printed by A. & R. Spottiswoode,
New-Street-Square.

ZUULEDELE .ressecersessseeseeseese 581
Ziureveld (pronounced Sdorfelt).
82. II. 119. 120.

Zwaluw: Berg. (Mountain Swal-
LOW) iscowersncess-oss0se Si 2ep 501
Zwart Rivier (see also Black River,
and Nigariep) ... 3591. IL. 43.
Zwartebast (Black-bark), a shrub
or tree, so called ... 517. 404.
Zwarteberg Warm-Baths ...... 96.
———-remarks on the name.

99.

Zwartebergen ; or the Great Black-
Mountains ........... 580, 581.
Zwartland: the map of ....... 579.
——— Church ........c0000 76.
Zwartwater Poort; a remarkable
circumstance by which it is
connected with the Karrd
POOTh.. iacecesieesosessoeneenct 209%
Zwellendém (or, Swellendam) 75,
76. 82. 103. 578.