language fluently, being nearly all Hottentots of the mixed race,
and in the yearly practice of visiting the colony.
Besides these Hottentots, a party of five Caffres, and their wives,
were resting here. These men were not less than six feet in height,
strong and finely proportioned ; and, excepting a leathern kaross, wore
no covering whatever ; a circumstance, as far as I have since been able
to learn, quite peculiar to the Kosas, or Caffres on the eastern side
of the colony. Their bodies and cloaks were reddened all over with
ochre mixed up with grease. They accosted us in an easy manly
tone, and with manners perfectly free from servile timidity. These,
with seven others left on the Sack River, had come from their
kraal on the Gariep,- for the purpose, as they stated, of bartering in
the colony for tobacco ; and begged the missionaries to give them a
letter to the Veldcornef Maritz ; whidh however was very properly
refused. We were rather surprised at so unexpected a rencontre with
some of the very men on whose account so much uneasiness had
been felt, and could not avoid suspecting them of being sent as spies
to discover the strength of our party. We taxed them with the
intention of attacking and robbing us in the Bushman country ; and
threatened them on our part with a warm reception, if they thought
proper to make the attempt.
But whether the report we had heard to this effect was really
unfounded, or whether, seeing our caravan so strong, they thought it
prudent to relinquish the plan, or to dissemble, they now affected the
greatest submission, and the most friendly disposition. They protested
vehemently against the falsity of what had been reported to us, and
attributed it to the malice and jealousy of the Bushmen, with whom
they had long been on hostile terms, and who, in a recent skirmish,
had killed their chief, one of Sambie’s brothers; in consequence of
which their whole kraal had meditated a return to their own country,
or. at least as far as the borders of Bruyntjes Hoogte.
They assumed a canting good-natured tone of voice, and were the
most importunate beggars I had ever met with ; soliciting for tobacco,
or whatever else they saw which they thought would be useful; complaining
also that theirwives’ headswere uncovered, and much required
a handkerchief to protect them from the sun. It was impossible to
avoid their importunities, except by granting what they asked for; and
at last we got rid of them, by giving three legs of mutton, a handkerchief
for each, and a quantity of tobacco, enough for them and
their wives. I purchased of one of these men, for a handkerchief,
a very neat basket, wove with rushes so admirably close; that they
are always .used for holding milk or other liquids. He was careful
not to let this opportunity pass, without begging for something ; and
first requested to have some brandy, which being refused, he immediately
asked for money to buy some; for these people are shrewd
enough to understand very well the nature and use of the Gape
money.;.: Two of them could speak Dutch very readily; and the
principal one, with a polite and friendly air, that I little expected in
a savage, if. such a term could properly be applied to him, gently
raised my hand to his lips on taking leave, and expressed at the same
time the warmest acknowledgments of gratitude for the presents- I
had made them. After this they quietly retired to their fire at the
other side of a rising ground, about two hundred yards distant, where
they passed the night.
18th. Early on the following morning, and before I was up,
they departed : but, previously coming to my waggon, said they
must see the Englishman before they went, and called out, wishing
me to get up. I asked what they had to say, on which theyagain
began to beg for meat and tobacco, not satisfied with having obtained
two shoulders of mutton this morning, and another large supply of
tobacco. Finding, however, that I was not likely soon to come out
to them, each one cried out as-he passed the waggon, Morg manill!
morg manill! » which I returned, and they immediately proceeded
on their way, and were soon out of sight.
19th, — 23rd. We remained at this place several days on account
of the Hottentots, who, not expecting our arrival so soon, and
finding here no food for their cattle, had sent them, for the sake of
better pasture, to a place at the distance of two days’ journey.
* Meaning to say, “ Goeden morgent mynheer” Good morning, Sir.