their shoulders, and their head just peeping out between the legs
which projected before them.
All the Hottentots confirmed the fact of those nine eggs which
were found on the outside of the nest, being intended as food for
the young ostriches; and assured me that the eggs in this nest were
the produce of two hens.
In the evening we reached the Zak-rivier (Sack-river), the
northern boundary of the colony, where we remained stationary the
four following days.
Sist. This is the principal river between the Hex river and the
Gariep. The stream was at this time very inconsiderable, though
still running. Its banks were clothed with the mat-rush, and here
and there with some fresh grass produced by rains, which appeared
to have fallen lately. Not a tree was seen, to break the uniformity
of the plain through which it meandered, or to mark its course: nor
could it even be discovered, till we reached its banks.
In the deepest of its pools I found a beautiful kind of carp, entirely
of a yellow-green with a brazen lustre.* The largest we saw
was at least two feet long: that from which I made my drawing
measured nineteen inches and a half. With a hook and line we
caught many without much difficulty; their flesh was white, and of
a very delicate taste. It was known by the name of Geel-visch,
(Yellow-fish.) A representation of it is given at the end of the chapter.
Although we offered to lend hooks and lines to any of the'
Hottentots, scarcely one would take the trouble to use them. They
appeared to have little relish for such food, and less for that mode
of employment; eagerly preferring the more toilsome one of hunting.
In this all who had guns, spent their time during our stay.
Several quakkas were shot, and the meat shared amongst them; it
resembled horseflesh, as might be expected from the nature of the
* Cyprinus aeneus. B. Totus aenei coloris. Caput parvum, cirris duobus vix ore
longioribus. Pinna dorsalis mutica radiis 10: pectoralis 13 vel 14: ventralis9: analis
6 ; et caudalis 19 : omnes concolores. Irides ae'neae. (Vide iconem Capitulo x i i sub-
junctam.)
animal, and, though much praised, I felt no desire to make a meal
of it.
Prudent precaution against future emergencies required that my
little flock of sheep should be spared as long as possible, that it
might be a resource in greater necessity, and I therefore supplied
my men plentifully with powder and ball; but this produced for us
at present but little food, owing as much to their want of practice in
shooting, as to the scarcity of game. Philip, however, brought home
a Steenbok *, the meat of which was very good-tasted.
The missionaries also distributed among their people, a large
quantity of ammunition, to which I contributed my share, to be
used only for the defense of the caravan in case of an attack from
the Caffres, or the Bushmen. Every g u n ' was kept ready loaded,
and small parties held watch during the night, as we had now
reached that part of our road where we might begin to expect some
attempt on the part of the natives, to carry off our cattle. The
country through which we had now to pass,« is inhabited by the wild
Hottentots usually called Bushmen; and, • as they are almost always
in a state of hostility towards the colonists, we Were uncertain
whether they would treat us as friends or as enemies ; although the
missionaries had every right to be considered as the former.
Their good intentions towards these savages had been unequivocally
shown at a spot a few miles westward of our station ; where,
about twelve years before, they persevered for a year or two in
endeavouring to establish a mission, and to give religious instruction
to all who would attend. But, whether owing to the natural difficulties
of the undertaking; to want of judgment on one side; or of
inclination on the other, the attempt failed altogether.
September l&f. Several more waggons which had been expected,
and for which we waited, joined us here ; this being the last place
appointed as a rendezvous. The number was now increased to
eighteen, drawn up together on a wide open plain, where nothing
covered the red arid soil, except here and there a scrubby stunted
* Antilope rupestris; already noticed at pkge 202.
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