commencing the journey in a few days ; as the most important affair,
that of the men, was just at the same time brought to a favorable
conclusion ; several Hottentots having agreed to accompany us, and
promised to be ready in a day or two. Among these were three of
approved character, and on whose services and steadiness I placed
much reliance; Hans Lucas, Hendrik Abrams, and Maagers, my
former herdsman: the other was also well recommended. Yet these,
together with Kees, and my own three, made my party to consist of
no more than eight. I found, however, that I must content myself
with a less number than had been at first fixed upon : but, as it was
believed that we could, as we advanced, pick up some Koras, or
some Bachapins, who would be able to render us much service
in the laborious part of our daily employments, I resolved
that this deficiency should not be an obstacle to our immediate
departure. .
Accordingly, we set about completing all further arrangements
without delay, and began to load the other waggon and fasten every
thing in its proper place. Some trifling stores which could be spared,
were added to the stock of the mission ; we cast a large quantity of
bullets ; and attended to all the necessary repairs.
Besides other things which I presented to the Klaarwater captain
in consideration of the assistance which he had occasionally lent
me, and especially on account of his trouble in nursing Gert, and
for allowing him the shelter of his hut (vignette, page 506), he stated
that half a dozen pounds of gunpowder would perfectly satisfy him
as a recompence for every thing he had done. Desirous of gaining
his good will by the strongest proof of generosity that it was in my
power to show, and of which the invaluable article gunpowder was of
all things the most convincing, I presented him with nine pounds,
instead of the six he asked for, and to these, over and above, I added
a proportionate quantity of gun-flints, and of lead and tin for bullets.
To his wife 1 made presents of a piece of chintz cotton, a quantity
of needles, thread, tape, buttons, brandy, pepper, &c., with which she
expressed herself highly pleased.
In order to convince him, and the settlement, by obliging acts
on my part, how much more ready I was to meet their wishes than
they mine, I, in two instances, at his and the missionaries’ request,
gave up a bargain I had made, one with a Kora, and the other with
a Briqua, for the exchange of one of my guns, for oxen to replace
those which had been lost in the Bushman country, near Buffelbout;
and which were much needed to complete my teams. Their objections
were founded on a wish to prevent, as much as possible, any
person possessing fire-arms excepting themselves. My compliance
with their request on this head, was a sacrifice made to complaisance.
31s£. Inspired with alacrity at the near prospect of departure,
we gaily continued the necessary preparations ; little suspecting that
my troubles were still lurking in ambush close at hand, and had
not, as I flattered myself, retired to a distance.
February Isi. They first made their re-appearance in the
form of reports, which reached Klaarwater this afternoon, through
some of the people who had just arrived from a Hottentot
kraal, situated at a distance down the river. Some stated that
Africaander, whose mischievous character has already been mentioned,
had advanced a considerable way above the Waterfall,
with the | intention of taking up his abode among the Briquas;
while others assured us that he was actually lying on our road
with all his gang, apparently having my waggons and property
for his object. It was, besides, ascertained to be true that the
three men who were oh their way from Klaarwater to visit
Captain Kok’s father a Half-Hottentot boor in the Kamies-
berg in Namaqualand, had been robbed of their guns by this
freebooter.
This unlucky report had a very visible effect upon my party,
and raised all their fears, while it threw a sudden damp on my
own spirits. Not that I had myself any apprehensions on account
of this vagabond, against whom we should still be more thau
strong enough, provided we stood by each other ; but that the ter