wrapped up in white wool. As the old bird was not seen, it is not
quite certain to what species it belonged, but it was very probably
the Percnopterus. I took this ill-fated bird home, with the intention
of bringing it up tame, and for a few weeks it seemed to thrive; but
depending on Philip, whom I appointed to feed it, I was often deceived,
and told that it had been fed, when it had eaten nothing for
a day or two. At length, after keeping it a month, it died ; and I
then discovered, too evidently, the proofs of its having been starved.
I reproached the Hottentot, not so much for his neglect of the task
he had undertaken, as for his want of feeling for the b ird ; but he
stood unmoved at all I could say on his cruelty; and I saw that all
the eloquence of man would not have touched his sensibility, for he
had none. I might have done as much good by talking to one of
the wheels of my waggon, and should have felt much less irritated.
Hares were now and then started from the bushes by our dogs.
This animal is here as timid and as fleet as in Europe; and the dogs
seem as much its natural enemies, coursing it down with a determined
eagerness, as if only for the pleasure of killing it.
We passed a spot of small extent, where the rock, that here and
there protruded through the grass, had much appearance of being
volcanic, and was accompanied by a quantity of what seemed, as we
drove past, to be lava and slag. The country in the vicinity, presented
no other rocks of the same complexion, nor bore any marks
of the action of fire: neither was there at the spot any remarkable
rising or mound resembling such as are thrown up by volcanic eruptions.
Not far from this place, there are, as I was informed, three
small conical hills standing in the plain, which are regarded as
a singularity, on account of the rock-crystals found there in great
abundance.
After a day’s journey of six-and-twenty miles, we arrived at
Klaarwater; when our party separated, each betaking himself to his
own abode. But to me, every spot on which my waggon stood, was
home: there was my resting-place; there was my abode. Few as
were the comforts of such a dwelling, and though they might be
such as the luxurious would think very little deserving of that name,
they were accompanied by health and contentment, and have often
afforded greater enjoyment than more splendid accommodations.
Whenever I view my drawing of its interior, a thousand agreeable
recollections are brought *to mind: in an instant a crowd of pleasing
reflections surround me; and, while indulging in the various, and
often opposite, sensations which they create, I am transported back
again to African scenes, unconscious of being in a better land. In
the contemplation of past dangers, there is a pleasure and satisfaction,
not inferior to any which the remembrance of propitious
incidents can inspire.
I again took up my old station beyond the mead, and made
the necessary arrangements, according to my original plan, for resting
at Klaarwater three months; of which six weeks were yet
remaining.