CHAPTER XIX.
RESIDENCE AND TRANSACTIONS AT KLAARWATER, TILL THE END OR THE YEAR.
N ovember 9.0th. The excursion from which I had just returned,
although it had not occupied more than twenty-six days, had added
very considerably to my knowledge, both of the manners of the
natives, and of the nature and productions of the country. From
the experience in dealings and converse with wild people, which had
been gained in this trip, I thought myself now to be, in spine
measure, qualified for a journey further into the continent; and was
anxious for the arrival of the day of my departure from Klaarwater.
In the arrangement of my observations and notes; in the ordering
and packing up of my collections; and in the regulating and
disposing of the mass of objects which had accumulated during my
last excursion, I found work sufficient to keep me fully employed
during the greater part of my stay: and the want of some intelligent
assistant, to relieve me from the more laborious department of it,
was now very sensibly felt.
This day was occupied in replacing the great chests into the
waggon, and in duly adjusting all domestic affairs; a part of a
traveller’s business too important to be neglected, although very
far from being an interesting or agreeable occupation in the midst
of pursuits of science: but it was soon discovered to be, in my
present situation, a duty of the first importance, and one which consumed
a large'and valuable portion of my time.
Speelman and Philip went with the little waggon to Eland’s
Valley, to carry home Hans Lucas’s game; and, as we were in want
of yokes, Philip had orders to remain there with the waggon till he
had cut a quantity of wood for that purpose. As Speelman was to
resume his charge of my oxen, Gert was therefore the only one left
at home; and where his services were indispensable in keeping
watch over the dried meat, which, until the waggon returned, we
were obliged to keep in the open air, with no other security than a
covering of dry hides.
21 st. I was suddenly awoke this morning by the report of
a gun, and immediately heard Gert’s voice by the side of my waggon.
It being in his usual tone, and myself but just roused from
sleep, I at first did not clearly understand what was said; but
judging from the firing of a gun that he had shot some bird,
which he brought to show me, I hastily put on part of my clothes,
and came out of the waggon. What I suffered at the moment
I saw him, and the acute and distressing - sensation which overwhelmed
me, has made an impression which, even now, is not
effaced. His words were, W Help ! help, sir! the gun is burst: my
hand’s in pieces !”
So unprepared as my mind was at the time, for any thing of
this kind, it could not withstand the mournful shock which the
sight of poor Gert occasioned ; and I would that this unhappy
moment' never again presented itself before my imagination. It
is one, and perhaps the only one during my journey, which I have
to reflect on, with the painful feeling of my travels in Africa having