94 SOUTHERN STATION ON THE FRIENDLY RIVER. 14, 15 March,
Observing here a large herd of quakkas, between thirty and
forty, Philip pursued them, and before he had approached within
shot, they were suddenly driven away by the report of a gun on the
other side, the smoke of which we perceived even from the spot
where we stood waiting. Knowing that we were now upon ground
to which the hunting excursions of the bordering colonists had
sometimes extended, we concluded that the shot had been fired by
a party of boors. We soon, however, discovered that this report was
from Speelman’s gun: he had started before us early in the morning,
for the purpose of getting a first shot at the game ; as it had been
found that they were often alarmed and driven away by the sight of
the whole party. Soon after this a heavy rain set in, and continued
to pour without intermission till the next morning.
After travelling six hours, and finding ourselves close on the left
bank of our river, we resolved to proceed no farther this day, as the
weather was so unpropitious, and as all of us were exceedingly wet
and cold.
15th. The night passed most unpleasantly, as a strong wind
much increased the chilliness of the air, and, in the morning, our
clothes and bedding were found soaked with the rain. I have
marked this spot by the name of Southern Station, as it was the most
southern of all our sleeping-places along the banks of this river.
We were now fast advancing towards the borders of the colony,
according to the account of our Bushmen, who pointed out a distant
table-mountain, on the other side of which, they said, we should find
the residence of a boor whom they called Baas Jacob. Although
exceedingly anxious to know what part of the colony it was, to
which we were approaching, they could give me no clue by which
I could discover this; nor did they know any thing respecting the
bearing of Graaffreynet, nor even the boor’s surname.
As we could not expect to find much game within the colonial
boundary, I determined on remaining a day at this station, for the
purpose of hunting ; that we might obtain a stock of dried meat to
serve us till we reached the drostdy. But, although four of the best
marksmen were out the greater part of the day, nothing was shot.
181-2. BAAS JACOB.— COMPLAINTS OF A BUSHGIRL. g g
A copious spring of good water had been discovered by the hunters,
not far from us, in the direction of south-south-east: and from several
indications, this part of the country appeared to be well watered.
In the afternoon we were visited by a small party o f natives
consisting of two men, and six women, two of whom carried each an
infant at her back. They informed me that they had yesterday
travelled from Oud Baasje Jacob's (old Master Jacob’s); where the
men had been employed as shepherd and herdsman, and the women
as assistants about the ferm-house. These people, viewing me,
as all their countrymen had hitherto viewed me, as a friend, were
eager to relate to me their grievances. They had quitted this boor’s
service because he had beaten one of the women. The poor creature
herself came forward to tell the story; she was a young girl of
harmless engaging appearance, and I could not suppress the irrita^
tion of mind which I felt at hearing that any man had been brute
enough to lift his hand against so weak and defenceless a fellow-
creature; for she was, as all girls of her nation are, of very small
and delicate frame. She told me that Oud Baas had tied her up to
one of the wheels of the waggon and flogged her for a long time.
The other women all joined in the tale, and two or three at once
were showing me the position in which she was tied, first imitating
the act of flogging, and then (hat of crying and supplicating for
mercy: but she implored in vain, for no mercy was in his heart, till
he had vented his rage.
Unfortunately it was not in my power to afford them any redress,
or to investigate whether she had, or had not, been punished undeservingly.
I could only compassionate the poor girl; and this,
if it could be any alleviation to her feelings, I did from my heart.
I gave them some tobacco, to cheer them ; nor did it even in so
unfavourable a state of mind, fail to gladden their countenances.
This gave them an occasion to complain that they had very seldom
received any from the baas, and whenever they did, it was but an
extremely small piece, which, they said, he threw down on the ground
to them as if they had been dogs. This last remark should not pass
Without notice, as it gives us admonition which cannot be too strongly