CHAPTER IX.
JOURNEY FROM CAPE TOWN TO TULBAGH.
T h e waggon moved slowly and silently on, over deep sands; die whole
of our journey this day being over the downs, which embrace the
southern side of Table Bay. Being now quite released from all
business and bustle of the town, the quiet of this easy travelling
soon restored tranquillity to my nerves. After an hour’s rest, I felt
able to follow the waggons on foot, wishing not to lose the opportunity
of observing the nature of the country as we passed. But
nothing met my eye, which I had- not already seen elsewhere. In
most places, these sands were covered with low bushes of the same
kinds as before noticed in the other parts of the Sand Flats.
After travelling three hours, we arrived at a pool of water,
called Zand-valley (Sand-pond) situated between Tygerberg and the
bay. It being one of the regular outspan-places of the boors, we
halted here for the night. Our oxen were turned loose among the
bushes to graze, or rather to browze, while the Hottentots kindled a
fire with wonderful expedition. We were obliged to make coffee
with brackish water, no better being to be found at this place.
In the evening, our little caravan, which consisted only of the
Missionary’s waggon and people, together with my own, had to me,
who till now had never passed a night in the open air, a most
curious and romantic appearance. * The novelty of the scene
kept my mind continually amused, and the sight of the Hottentots,
and all their movements, fixed my attention. Their number was
about a dozen, men and women : they seemed now to have recovered
their natural manners, having left behind them the constraints of
Cape Town. It was easy to perceive, that this was the mode of life
which suited them, and that they felt quite at home amongst the
bushes. Seated on the ground by a blazing fire, they passed the time
in talking and smoking; while the light, thrown against the nearer
shrubs, and various parts of the waggons, produced an effect really
picturesque. As soon as their supper was finished, they retired to
sleep; some wrapping themselves up in their karosses, (sheep-skin
cloaks,) lay down under a bush, others by the fire, and others under
the waggons, sheltered from the wind by a skreen of mats.
20th. In the morning I arose, refreshed by sleep, and recovered
from all indisposition. The business of the day commenced by
examining the state of the waggons and oxen, and giving out orders
to the men. Mrs. Anderson, who was to accompany her husband to
Klaarwater, having yesterday remained at Salt-river, joined us this
morning at eight o’ clock, attended by a party of friends.
We proceeded on our journey at two in the afternoon, and after
a few miles, began to ascend Tygerberg. Here the party who had
travelled with us from Zand-valley took their leave; and as soon as
we were nearly out of sight, they repeatedly saluted us with the
reports of their pistols, which they had brought for that purpose;
this being an old colonial custom. They thus bade us their last
farewell, while we waved our hats, and returned it by discharging
our muskets. There was something pleasing, though melancholy,
* The engraving at the beginning of this chapter is a representation of one of these
night-parties.