on the look-out to pilfer; and one or two things were missed: but,
on application to the captain, he obtained restoration.
In the evening I was present at the catechising of the scholars in
the meeting-house, and afterwards took supper with the missionary,
who obligingly promised to take into his charge all the chests which
it was thought not necessary to take with us on this excursion.
CHAPTER XVI.
EXCURSION FROM KLAARWATER TO THE CONFLUENCE OF THE NU-GARIEP,
AND THENCE TO THE KY-GARIEP.
October 24th. After some bustle and delay in collecting all the
party together, we took leave, and commenced our journey at a little
after mid-day, directing our course eastward. The number of waggons
amounted to ten ; of which, besides my own two and
Mr. Jansz’s, two belonged to Adam Kok, carrying his wife and
family; one to Willem Berends; and the other four to different
Hottentots, among whom was my late herdsman, Maagers. Women
and children of all ages, constituted a third of our numbers; and
horses, sheep, goats, and dogs, mingling together, made up the
medley of moving objects.
Some of the hunters brought their wives and children, that they
might enjoy a plenteous feast of Hippopotamus-fat: besides whom,
there were many others, who, with the same view, volunteered their
services as drivers, leaders, or herdsmen. The dogs, who had been
slyly watching all our movements, were also volunteers, and must,
in some sagacious manner, have caught a notion of the carnivorous
nature of the expedition; otherwise, so wretchedly thin and ema