are not now to be depended upon by the hunter, in search of these
quadrupeds. A sparrow called the Koom-vreeter, (Corn-eater) * and
an undescribed species of fly-catcher, were here added to my collection.
From this spot the lofty and far-extended Roggevelds-berg is
visible, though distant above twenty miles. The peculiarity of the
view, terminated by the blue misty outline of this gigantic precipice,
induced me to add this to the number of my drawings. My men,
who had scarcely any other work to do at this place, except attending
the oxen and sheep, employed some of their time in making a
store of juk-scheis, as these are continually liable to be broken, whenever
the oxen become restive in the yoke. They took advantage
also of this leisure, to make a quantity of candles, lest the various
other employments in travelling might not again allow them so
favorable an opportunity.
One of the oxen having an abscess on the back, Philip, who
professed a knowledge of the different disorders of oxen and the
modes of curing them, having opened it, filled the cavity with tar ;
of which, as a healing application, Hottentots have a high opinion,
and make much use, especially for wounds and sores of their cattle.
The day was cold, and towards the afternoon, lightning, thunder,
and rain, of which some symptoms had occurred on the preceding
day, came on again; and in consequence, it became the opinion of
all, that the season of the thunder-rains had now actually commenced
in the Karro. The tilt of the waggon, which, till this storm,
had not yet been sufficiently tried, proved, to my great satisfaction,
perfectly water-proof; but though I enjoyed the privilege of sleeping
dry, the noise of the shower incessantly pelting on the canvass, close
above my head, prevented my getting much re st: but custom at last
rendered this inconvenience more indifferent.
Early in the morning, Maagers and Speelman set out with
the oxen and sheep, in order that they might have time to pro*
Fringilla arcuata. Syst. Nat. ed. Gm.
ceed at a slow pace, and wait for us at the house of a colonist
named Jan Van der Westhuisen. Gert was despatched with a letter,
to give notice to the missionaries, that I should set off on the
morrow; and at night he returned with an answer, by which it was
arranged that we should all meet at the Riet (Reed) river, at the distance
of five or six days’ journey, according to our rate of travelling.
3rd. Having omitted making a legal agreement with Gert
while at Tulbagh, we here signed the usual contract before the field-
cornet; as, without this, a Hottentot would not consider himself
under any obligation to continue his services, if he should feel inclined
to desert his master before the expiration of the term for
which he had engaged.
A good pack of dogs, of different kinds, was a very necessary
part of the equipment; and these we endeavoured to collect at every
opportunity. Yet, although every farm-house was apparently overstocked
with these animals, the boors, knowing their value, could
seldom be persuaded to part with any: Snyman, however, was induced
to let me have one.
The field-coTnet, also furnished me with a requisition to several
colonists residing near the mountain, to supply, on*payment, the quantity
of flour we stood in need of. He would not receive any pecuniary
remuneration for the meals I had taken at his house; but begged to.
have his brandy-bottles filled. Although there could not possibly
be any further opportunity of replenishing this part of my stores, so
necessary for keeping my Hottentots in good humour, I did not
hesitate to comply; notwithstanding the evident looks of dissatisfaction
with which they viewed my giving away this much-valued
commodity,- as I had found Snyman willing to do all that was in his
power to render us assistance.
As soon as every thing was -safely repacked, the relays were
yoked to, and we started at half-past one in the afternoon. The
oxen, being quite fresh, were not easily to be checked in going
at a trot ; and the road, being at the same time rough and stony,
occasioned some of the goods in the chests to be much damaged.
Every loss was to us of serious importance; and if the mentioning