will not allow him thus to decorate his narrative, while conscience
whispers that he ought to tell a plainer tale.
At this time the principal remarks which were made by the
assembly, were merely to inform me that they had for a length of
time been expecting me at Litakun : to which I replied, that as I had
long felt a strong desire to become acquainted with them, it was
never my intention to return home till I fiad visited their town.
Serrakutu rejoined, that I spoke very rightly, and he was glad to
hear me say so. As Mattlvi seemed so little inclined to speak, I put
myself on a level with him, by merely saying to him that I was come
to see him : to which he replied by one of two words expressive of
approbation and assent. MuchunkJ was much pleased in pointing
out to me: the different relations of Mattlvi, who were standing by
us: he spoke to every one in his usual and animated manner, and
might have been taken for one of the most important personages,
if men’s importance were to be measured by their confidence. Yet
it was not the confidence of presumption: it was not in the smallest
degree wanting in due respect towards them.
Our interview had thus lasted about ten minutes, when the
Chief, addressing himself to me, said he wished that we should sit
down. We were then standing near my waggons, in an open space
between the houses. I expressed my desire to do as he wished; but
remained on my feet till he should first be seated. Seeing however
that he waited for me, I sat myself down upon the ground, in the
African manner; and immediately he did the same, placing himself
opposite to m e; while the different members of his family, and the
kosies or subordinate chieftains *, formed round us a circle two or
three deep; the rest of the people still continuing standing, as close
as it was possible for them to crowd together. The engraving at the
head of the chapter (page 358.) will give some idea of this scene
The Chief still preserving his taciturnity, Serrakutu assumed
* I here use the word chieftain, as the nearest to my meaning; although to some
persons, it may possibly seem to express too much: but the sense in which it is to be
understood may easily be discovered from my explanation of the word host, at pages
272. 347. and 348.
the prominent station, and made himself the principal speaker;
although Mollemmi also, took a share in the debate. The younger
brothers and sons, though attentive to all which was passing, remained
respectfully silent. The surrounding spectators seldom attempted
to speak; but the kosies who formed the sitting circle,
occasionally addressed themselves to my interpreter. He, whether
to save himself trouble, or because what they said was not spoken
directly to me, left the greatest part of their remarks uriinterpreted.
It appeared that they were questioning him on various subjects relating
to my journey; such as the length of time since my departure
from Cape Town, which place they called Mtikaapa; the reason of
my subsequent return into the colony; the quantity of tobacco and
beads which I had brought with me; the object of my visit to
Litakun; and others of the same nature. What answers were
made to all these I know not; but he afterwards gave me to understand
that his replies were conformable to that which he had
always heard, stated by my Hottentots.
Addressing myself to the Chief, I told him, that my object in
coming into his country, was to form an acquaintance with him and
his people, whom I had heard so favorably spoken of at Kdrnkammit
(Klaarwater): that so much had been said in praise of Litakun, that
I had been very desirous of seeing his town: that I wished at
the same time to hunt the wild animals, that I might be enabled to
take home the skins of them to my own country: that I intended to
stop with the Bachaplns long enough to learn their language, so that
I might be able to tell them myself many things which I wished
them to know, and that we might by these means understand each
other’s sentiments more clearly than they could be explained through
an interpreter: and that I hoped we should thus become true friends,
that I might at my return home, report of the Bachapins that they
were a good people, and that on hearing this, other white-men would
visit him and bring abundance of beads and tobacco. I therefore
wished now to know from himself, whether he thought that what I
had said, was good; and whether he approved of my remaining a
long time at Litakun.