mestic kind, but very different in the sound it produces. It is to
be met with most frequently in the months of December, January,
and February ; and it appears that this species has a very wide geographical
range, as I afterwards found it far in the Interior, as well
as within the Cape Colony.
19th. Having travelled without intermission the whole night, we
found ourselves, at sun-rise, at the Asbestos Mountains. On entering
the defile which leads through them, the Hottentots of our caravan
began firing off their muskets, both as a salutation to their friends
at the village of The Kloof, and to apprise them of our approach.
In a few minutes we came in sight of thé village. * It stood in a
romantic situation, enclosed on all sides by mountains, and consisted
of twenty-six round mat-huts, and five little square-built
houses, with thatched roofs ; while, at the same time, the view of
some patches of wheat, of a fresh and delightful verdure, added a
wonderful charm and interest to the spot. Its tawny inhabitants,
men, women, and children, all ran out of their huts to witness our
arrival, and greet their friends and the missionaries, on their safe
return.
This settlement had been for a considerable time under the
religious care and instruction of my fellow travellers. And, as both
Mr. Anderson, and Mr. Kramer, had been absent from it several
years, their return formed an important occurrence to its inhabitants.
I could not behold, but with pleasure, the friendly welcome they
received ; nor witness, without participating in their feelings, their
own satisfaction at meeting again, among the number, many Hottentots
of their former congregation.
Not far from here, is the spot where these missionaries first
established themselves in 1801; at a place called Aakaap by the
* The engraving at page 322 is a view of part of the village of The Kloof, looking
westward, or towards the opening by.which we approached it: The mountain is part of
one which forms the northern end of the valley: it is composed of clay-slate (see the vignette
at the end of this, and of chapter X IX.) in horizontal strata. In the corner on
the left, is seen a part of a cattle-kraal, or pound.
Hottentots, or Riet fontein (Reed Fountain) in Dutch. They afterwards
removed to The Kloof, but finally fixed their head-quarters at
Klaarwater, as being a situation more central with respect to the
different out-posts, or kraals, occupied by this race of Hottentots.
Visiting the different dwellings, making various enquiries, and
examining into the state of the settlement, occupied the missionaries
the whole of the day. The weather was too hot for attempting the
journey in the day-time ; but in the cool of the evening, my fellow
travellers took leave of me, and proceeded on their way to Klaarwater,
accompanied only by that part of our caravan, whose homes
were at that station:,the rest either remaining at the Kloof, or
taking a different road, each to his own kraal. Our Hottentot captain,
Berends, remained here, being the chief of this village; over
which, and a few surrounding outposts, his authority extends.
Wishing to explore, and examine a spot which appeared so
interesting, and to gain leisure for putting in order my collections,
and the mass of observations which had been daily accumulating, I
determined to rest here a few days ; and, therefore, selected a convenient
place for my waggons, at a little distance from the kraal, at
the mouth of a narrow valley, closed both at the upper end, and on
each side, by high rocky mountains. No grass, nor verdure, covered
the stony ground; a few scattered bushes contributed scarcely a
tint of green to vary the barren brown color which distinguished all
the mountains around. My men formed for themselves a low hut,
with poles and mats ; and, by fixing a skreen of these on the windward
side of the smaller waggon, contrived a tolerably comfortable
sleeping place. They soon began to feel themselves at home, as
they were allowed to visit, or, as they call it, huyer, at the kraal;
where, by an introduction from Maagers, it was not long before they
made several acquaintances. My Hottentot Jan Koh, who had
been hired for the journey as far as Klaarwater, here begged to
have his discharge ; and, as he had all along proved himself to be a
lazy fellow, I made no difficulty in granting his request. But his
companion and countryman, Maagers, was desirous of remaining
u u