1 0 0 RE-ENTERING THE COLONY. 17, 18Mahch,.
line was more varied and pleasing. But a feature which had nto
been observed in the other mountains of the Cisgariepine, at least
since we had left the Asbestos Mountains, was a deep stratum, sometimes
forty or fifty feet thick, of sandstone, running through them
at a little distance below their summits, and of a paler color than
the other strata. Huge fragments, or blocks, of this stone, lay
every where scattered about the valleys; and the scenery as we rode
along them, became more picturesque as we advanced, and very
different from all which we had now seen in the country on this
side of the Gariep.
This change in the geology of the mountains, was accompanied
by a change in botany : their sides were clothed with a richer foliage,
and with many plants hitherto new ; particularly a species of Rhus *
which grew from between the rocks, and decorated the foot of the
hills with pleasing light soft masses, in rounded, yet beautiftd, forms,
and generally of the height of six or eight feet. This elegant shrub
Was found no where but in these regions.
Being eager to discover some proof of our immediate vicinity
to the Colony, I rode on before, with two of my men. We ascended
a very rocky ridge connecting loftier mountains, whence I had an
opportunity of taking the bearing of the g Bushman Table Mountain.’
With some difficulty we descended to the flat on the other
side, where we found a small pond of water, and discovered, to our
great pleasure, that it had been frequented by flocks of sheep : and
our suspicions of having actually entered the Colony, were confirmed
soon afterwards by Philip, who, having been obliged to take the
loaded oxen round by a lower opening between the mountains, had
seen the remains of an old leg-plaats or cattle-station.
As the sun was nearly setting, we halted here for the night.
All my people were highly pleased at finding that we had thus safely
accomplished the passage through the country of the Bushmen, and
evinced a considerable share of satisfaction, by talking and laughing
* Wms seniefóiium, B. Catal. Geogr. 2697. Frutex sexpedalis rainosissimus. Foliola
linearia grosse serrata glabra; (juniora prsesertim) lucida et quasi vernice olilita.
1812. CHARACTERS OF RIIZO AND THE BDSHBOY. j q j
more than usual. Plenty of fuel close at hand, enabled them again
to indulge in one of their great enjoyments, a blazing fire; in this,
I followed their example; but instead of taking the tobacco-pipe, I
amused myself in the evening with the pen.
1 8th. As Riizo was soon to take leave, having now fulfilled his
promise of accompanying us until we had arrived at the habitation
of a colonist, I drew his portrait, that I might ever preserve, for my
own gratification, the features of a man who, though one of a lawless
and despised race, one who, though doomed to live and die in
ignorance of all that improves and civilizes the mind, had yet a heart
which taught him to be grateful to a friend, and a just sense of
fidelity to his engagements. These features would not indeed, according
to the judgment of a European, be thought of a prepossessing
cast; but the judgment of a European is often as much perverted
by customs and prejudices, as that of a Bushman. I constantly
struggled against this influence of national habit, that I might,
wherever my travels led me, view the expression of men’s countenances
as they were viewed by their own countrymen; and the length
of time during which the wild natives of Africa were daily before my
eyes, has enabled me, I hope, to overcome, at least those prejudices
which are commonly occasioned by color and feature.
Riizo, though a great dancer, as it has been shown, was nevertheless
a man of much sedateness; seldom allowing his joy at any
occurrence, to break forth in the unrestrained manner of many of his
countrymen : but he was exceedingly active, and at all times ready to
do any thing which I desired. He was always foremost to lend
his assistance in loading and unloading our pack-oxen, and was perfectly
content with whatever reward I thought proper to give him
for his trouble.
I also drew the portrait of the boy whom my Hottentots had
named Klein Magerman (Young Lean-man). Both he, and his father,
were much improved in appearance, during the few days they had
lived upon our provisions ; yet still they were far from having outgrown
their new name. I had drawn Riizo in the attitude in which
he happened to be sitting ; and when this boy was told that I wished