when I had to open it again for another ; and thus the same scene
of surprise and laughter was performed so many times over, that it
became at last tedious, and I was glad to escape into my waggon.
Massisan’s mother, whose name was Kibbukiili, was so pleased
at seeing her daughter ‘ in the book,’ that she earnestly desired to
have her portrait taken also. This I promised to do, on a future
day, when I should be more disengaged. Many more presented
themselves for the same purpose, but as there were numerous other
affairs of the journey which demanded my attention, it was impossible
to dedicate, even to so agreeable a department of my labors,
more time than was justly its due.
In the course of the day, a numerous party of Kora Hottentots
arrived at Litakun, from a kraal situated at a considerable distance
eastward. They were conducted by the son of a Kora chieftain
named Taaibosch. * This latter was lately murdered by some
Bichuanas; and the son, whose kraal was situated on the banks of the
Gariep near to the jj English Ford,’ was now removing all his father’s
cattle to that place. Among his father’s property, was a musket,
which he had formerly purchased. The inhabitants of old Taai'bosch’s
kraal, deeming that part of the country unsafe to live in, were also
removing all their cattle and property to the son’s kraal.
The younger Taaibosch now reminded me that we were already
acquainted, and I immediately recognised him as one of the friendly
Koras who have been already mentioned as giving us their voluntary
assistance when we crossed that river on our return from Graaffreynet.
At that time we did not know the names of any of these good-
natured people, nor even of their captain: our meeting again was
as pleasing to me as it was unexpected.
A day or two before this, I had given Muchiinka leave of absence
for a few days, to go and see his mother who was living at old
Taai'bosch’s kraal. For safety, and as a companion, I allowed him
to take Stuurman with him ; but having, in his way thither, unexpectedly
met the Koras, and finding his mother among them, he
hasted home as quickly as possible, in order to be present at our
weekly distribution of tobacco and brandy. I had given him, just
before he started, a quantity of tobacco as a present for his mother;
yet this affectionate son now came to ask for more, and confessed
that he had not given her any, as he and Stuurman had, on the road,
smoked away, not only their own share, but the whole of his
mother’s : and I fear that of the second quantity which I now gave
him for the same purpose, she enjoyed as little as of the first.
Among the property which this caravan of Koras had with them,
was a quantity of salt, which they informed me they had procured
from a salt-pond at a considerable distance in an easterly or northeasterly
direction. For a knife, I purchased of them about half a
gallon.
In order to secure a continuance of friendly behaviour on the
part of Mattivi, it appeared necessary at this time to make him some
additional presents, especially as he had suffered me to rest for four
or five days without giving me much trouble by importuning for
things which could not be spared. Among these presents, was a
straw-hat, such as are worn by the Malays in Cape Town; and this,
being ornamented with twelve strings of beads of the favorite colors,
pleased him the more as it was an act of liberality quite unexpected.
But it is probable that his pleasure was occasioned more by the beads
than by the hat itself.
I gave him also a bag of fresh peach-stones which had been
brought from Graaffreynet; in quantity about a quart: nor did I
fail, at the same time, to impress on his mind a just idea of their
value and nature, by telling him, that they would produce trees
which would continue every year to yield, without further trouble,
abundance of large fruit of a more agreeable flavour than any which
grew in the country of the Bachapins. The quality which I most
insisted on, as recommending them strongly to his notice, was that
of supplying food without requiring the labor and care of man. I
advised, that he should give a few to each of the chieftains: which
he promised to do. From the manner in which he expressed himself,
he seemed to feel that in making him this present, I was