CHAPTER VIII.
TRANSACTIONS AT KLAARWATER, AFTER THE RETURN FROM GRAFFREYNET.
A t four in the afternoon we came in sight of Klaarwater. I halted
my men at the top of the ridge above the village, and, according to
colonial custom *, saluted the missionaries with twenty discharges of
our muskets, as a complimentary mode of announcing our return.
They had been yesterday apprised by a Hottentot called Lang Adam,
that we were on the road from the Kloof, and should certainly arrive
this day. But our salutation remained unanswered; not a musket
was fired to welcome us j nor did any one make his appearance to
receive us. At this, we were all naturally much surprised; as the
noise was loud enough to have awakened the whole village, had every
inhabitant been even fast asleep.
See examples of this, at pages 17S and 328 of the first volume.
We rode up to the houses, where Gert was hastening to meet
us; and my men went forward and unpacked the baggage at my
waggons, which I rejoiced to behold once again.
None of the missionaries making themselves visible all this time,
I knocked at Mr. Anderson’s door: he at last came forward, and in
an admirably calm manner, and without the least expression of any
emotions, such as worldly men might naturally indulge in, on witnessing
the return of a person whom he might consider as having
risen from the dead, received me with; So, you're come back again.
It must certainly have been vexatious to him, to find all his predictions
respecting the dangers and difficulties of the journey, and my
failure in the object of it, falsified in the eyes of those people by
whom he wished to be thought an unerring example for their imitation;
and I readily admit this excuse for his feelings. Therefore
neither he nor his brother missionaries, had any reason for rejoicing
at my success and safe return ; a sentiment which, if they felt it, never
once escaped their lips during the whole time I remained at Klaarwater
; nor did they ever allow their consistency to be compromised
by any vain curiosity respecting the occurrences of my journey; for
on this head they preserved a silence well becoming men whose minds
were occupied with better things. Nor was any reason ever given for
taking no notice of my salute. However; I met with a civil reception
from all. I know that it is the doctrine of this sect, to suppress, and
even destroy, every lively emotion, and to strive to become serious
people. But for my part, I never could bring my mind to so serious
a state as to avoid being extremely glad at finding myself, with all my
men, safely arrived at Klaarwater, or to avoid being equally rejoiced
at getting away from it.
After a little time Kramer and Jansz made their appearance. I
delivered a letter from Mr. Kicherer, and gave them some Cape newspapers.
In return I received, what was most acceptable, three packets
of letters, one of which was from England, and brought, as I have
mentioned, by the men who returned with the horses from the
Roggeveld. To these I had a fortunate opportunity of replying immediately,
by means of some Hottentots going to Kok’s Kraal, a place
about nine or ten days journey lower down the Gariep. These people