the advantages of being afforded, perhaps, at a far lower price, and of
their white color admitting of being changed by any of the dyes suited
to woollen. Such a branch of commerce might prove not unimportant
to the colonists or to the Colony in general: it might open a new
source of profit, and turn to better account those innumerable flocks,
for the rearing of which, the greater part of that country seems by
nature peculiarly adapted. I would hope that these remarks might
induce some judicious speculative person to pursue the subject.farther,
and ascertain to what extent a trade of this kind, may be rendered
lucrative. Since the Cape settlement, it seems, is not so fortunate as
to possess a climate and herbage, like that of New South Wales,
suited for the growth of the finest wools, it may prove equally
favoured in having such as give to its sheep a soft and useful fur.
Hitherto, our road on the Snow Mountains had been level and
tolerably easy ; but after leaving Lubbe’s, it became rough and in some
parts dangerous ; leading along the steep sides of mountains, or over
very rocky and rugged places. From one part of the road we had a
full view of Coudveld. The country became more mountainous, and
the air colder, as we entered the highland track of Sneeuwberg
proper.
It was not till sunset, that we reached the abode of old
Jan Vilj6en, where Lubbe was to leave me. He came out of his hut
to receive us ; but when my companion informed him that I was so
situated as to require his assistance in proceeding to Herholdt’s the
next day, he became rather cross and out of humour, and, to my
mortification, told him that he had neither waggon nor oxen at
home. Hearing this, I began to take into consideration the possibility
of going thither on foot, and afterwards sending one of my men
with a pack-ox to fetch my baggage. But, fortunately, Lubbe knew
his neighbour too well to be deceived by him ; and persisted in the
necessity of his helping me forward: he urged that it was the
minister’s particular request to him, and slightly hinted that I carried
a govemment-letter. Whichever of these considerations might have
had most weight with him, I know not; but fortunately for me, he
at last, and, I am sorry to say, with reluctance, consented to furnish
means of conveyance; although he had just declared that he had no
such means in his power.
The place, the house itself, and every thing about it, formed
the greatest possible contrast to what I had seen at Burger’s.. The
principal dwelling hardly deserved the name of house; it was a most
forlorn and miserable hovel, about which, nothing could be seen
which bespoke an owner’s care. Every object displayed neglect:
the Hottentot servants, the huts they lived in, and the few outbuildings,
were of a character consistent with the house. This
dwelling was certainly a degree worse than any which I had observed
since re-entering the colony: its inhabitants were, the ¿etas, and his
vrouw (wife) and son, two men, a little boy, and two or three female
servants, all Hottentots, excepting one slave. Its elevated situation
in the midst of lofty mountains, rendered the air extremely cold.
As soon as old Viljoen had a little recovered his usual temper,
and manners, which in their best state were naturally coarse, we
entered the house together, and were offered seats. By degrees, after a
few mutual questions, and some little conversation, we became better
friends; and he seemed not to think me so obnoxious a visitor, as at
my first introduction I appeared to be. Neither he nor his wife had
any curiosity about my affairs; for which I was not sorry, as it saved
me the trouble of telling my story over again, and allowed me to
take a warmer seat by the fire at the other end of the room ; while
he amused himself, and his other guest, with reading a small religious
tract which he had lately obtained; if, halting at every difficult word;
taking time to consider the meaning of a sentence; overrunning the
stops; and going back again to find them out; could be called reading.
Although it may be doubted whether any one but himself, knew a
word of the, subject, he now and then turned to his wife or to Lubbe,
and exclaimed, “ Very true!” During all this time, the Hottentots
were quietly sleeping in the chimney corner; excepting two girls
who were busy cooking some mutton.
At length supper was ready, and we sat down to a frugal meal;
as he had probably forgotten to tell the girls to put a piece more into
the pot on account of his visitors : for, in a country where he could
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