A journey to Lattakoo, in South Africa

CHAPTER I. Page

JOURNEY FROM CAPE TOWN TO BEAUFORT.

Djcpartoiie — Unmanageable oxen — Hex River Kloof — Jackall and field mouse — Groups of mountains — Exploit by Cornelius — Peecharoo*s simple reply — A beautiful mimosa, surrounded with the beautiful — Triumpli of Bootchuana — Arrival at Beaufort — Bushman boy and girl

Chapter II. Journey From Beaufort To The Limits Of The Colony

Quitted Beaufort — Rocks resembling fortifications — Difficult passage over a mountain — Dass Fountain — Drie Koppen— Customs of Bushmen— Bush-dove place — Bush people’s filth 10

Chapter III. Journey Across The Wild Bushman Country

Enter Bushman country — Large lion— Conical hill a landmark— Visit from Bushmen — Surpiise at compass — Effect of great heat — Meet party from Grrqua Town — Arrival at Great River — Coranna kraal — Violent gusts of wind — Visits from Corannas — Whirlwind— Zebra hole— Cross Great River — Sleeping Hottentots awoke — Arrive at Griqua Town 15

Chapter IV. Griqua Town

Griqua Town — Eclipse — State of school — Lives lost by lightning. . 23

Chapter V. Journey From Griqua Town To Lattakoo

Meet party from Lattakoo — A Bushman family — Source of Krooman River— Visit from queen’s brother — Arrival at Lattakoo . . 24

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VI

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VI. Page

FIRST RESIDENCE AT LATTAKOO.

Visited by kings of Lattakoo and Mashow — Presents made to principal persons — Evils from plurality of wives — Visit to the king’s uncle — Secret visit of the king — Consultation with the kings about sending missionaries to interior nations— Singular answer by king of Lattakoo — Present from king— His incredulity 27

Chapter VII. Conversation With Mateebe And His Captains, At Lattakoo

Formal interview with king and chiefs — Mode of obtaining fire by friction— Substance of conversation with theking — Conversation with the king’s uncle 31

Chapter VIII. Various Occurrences During Our Residence At Lattakoo

Method of tanning — Corannas from Malapeetzee — The king’s imprudence— Punished for it— Rain dance — Missionary canal — Laziness of natives — Expedition against Bush robbers — Instance of gratitude — Manner of weeping— Visit Malawoo’s district — Lynx Malalla 36

Chapter IX. Various Occurrences At Lattakoo, (continued.)

Intelligence from expedition — Meeting with young people— Further intelligence from commando— Smith’s shop— Prejudice against planting potatoes— King passionate — Conduct of native girls- Commando returned— Facts publicly stated to king — Speech by Malalla — The king rebukes the commando 42

Chapter X. Intercourse With Some Of The Chief Men At Lattakoo, Etc

The king desirous to have a musket — A dance in honour of our arrival at Lattakoo— Customs — Examination of young people. . 47

Chapter XI. Journey To Old Lattakoo

Departure from New Lattakoo— Halt at Maklareen River — Munaneet’s first ride in a wagon— Arrival at Old Lattakoo 50

CONTENTS.

Vll

CHAPTER Xir.

Page

OLD LATTAKOO.

Residence at Old Lattakoo — Terror of boy — Arrival of Cupidcv- Visit to site of former Lattakoo 53

CHAPTER XIIL

CONVERSATION WITH MAHOOMOO PELOO, AND SOME OF HIS CHIEFS.

Mahoomoo Peloo consents to receive a missionary — Runaway slave — Visit from Peloo’s wife — His treatment of her 55

CHAPTER XIV.

JOURNEY TO MERIBOHWHEY, TAMMAHA COUNTRY.

Departure from Old Lattakoo — No more roads — Death of a gnu— Pelaneye— Bad character of Salak o(oo — Halted at Choo-y-ing — Matchappees afraid to sleep — Tatenyana— Elevation of servants— Ox torn to pieces by lions — Strange habit of our sheep— Up’oar of natives— Visit from Booichuana Bushmen — Salt Lake —Wagons an object of wonder — Met by armed natives 56

CHAPTER XV.

MERIBOHWHEY.

Arrived at Meribohwhey — Surprise of the natives— Confession of Munaneets— Meeting with kings and chiefs— Speeches by them — Distribution of presents — A present demanded for our guide — The king introduced his wives— Presents from the old king. ... 65

CHAPTER XVI.

VISIT TO MASnoW.

Departure from Meribohwhey — Met guide sent from Mashow — Journey to Mashow — People ru.-.h from the city to meet the caravan— Arrival at Mashow— Hearty reception by the king— A woman from the coast — Address to the king, chiefs, etc 73

CHAPTER XVII.

INTERVIEW WITH THE KINO OP MASHOW AND HIS CAPTAINS.

Tlio effect of a lens shown — Inoculation known and practised— Extent and population of city-^Hottentot attacked ny two rhinoceroses—The king and his uncle’s presents— Punishment of a culprit 76 via

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XVIIL

JOURNEY PROM MASHOW TO KURREECHANE.

Departure from Mashow — Effects of a hail-storm — Arrested by rain — Depression of Matchappees — Cheyoo— M unaneets confesses murder — Bushman begs to hear the word of God — First rhinoceros seen and slam— Uproar among natives — Dispute about dead quacha 81

CHAPTER XIX.

JOURNEY FROM MASHOW TO KURREECHANE,

(continued.)

The sabbath — Joined by Marootzee party — Visits to fires — Molopo river — Alarm of Munaneets — Party of iron-ore carriers — Cross with difficulty the Lukoowhai river — In sight of Kurreechane — Amazement of natives T. , . . a7

CHAPTER XX.

OCCURRENCES DURING OUR RESIDENCE AT KURREECHANE.

Arrival at Kurreechane — Astonishment and terror of younger natives— Regent — Description of the city — Wagons attract great attention — A heart lost in a dog — Presents of sweet cane — Jewish customs — Visit Sinosee — Crowds to see strangers dine — Blacksmith-Suspicious conduct of regent — Interview with him — Uproar in the night— Presents to regent — King of Doughooboone —A royal feast — The regent sits in judgment at the gate — Losses from starving dogs — Inoculation — Bleeding 93

. CHAPTER XXL

OCCURRENCES AT KURREECHANE, (CONTINUED.)

Conversation with regent— Journey of Liquelingto eastward— Regent dines in tent — Pomes also to tea — Mistakes the object of our visit — Attestation to white men’s honesty — Hottentots’ dread of detention 104

CHAPTER XXIL

MEETING OP PEETSO, OR THE MAROOTZEE PARLIAMENT.

Forms before speaking — A dance by Mocelway — Pelangye excites laughter — The whole assembly sings — Munaneets acknowledges the hand of God in drought — Great freedom of speech — Regent charges boasters with cowardice — Peetso concluded liC

CONTENTS.

IX

Page

CHAPTER XXIir.

OOCUKRENCES AT K0RREEOHANE, (CONTINUED.)

Messenger from Makkabba— Hottentots ’spirits revived — Compliment paid by regent’s brother — Presents from regent to Munaneeis, aiid for Mateebe— Another messenger from Makkabba with invitation to visit him 115

CHAPTER XXIV.

RETURN FROM KURREECHANE TO MASHOW.

A rhinoceros shot — Storm — Quachas migrating — Halting on the banks of the Molopo— Narrow escape trom a lion — Formal inquiries by natives — Another rhinoceros shot — Miserable Bushman village — News of threatened attack on Kurreechane 119

CHAPTER XXV.

SECOND RESIDENCE AT MASHOW.

Arrival at Mashow— Reception by king and people — A unicorn shot — Robbery by Wanketzen ambassadors 125

CHAPTER XXVI.

SECOND RESIDENCE AT MERIBOHWHEY.

Departure from Mashow — Arrival at Meribohwhey — Reproof to natives— Conversation with the king and chiefs — They never thought what would please God — They have no knowledge of God — Think devil to \ye a god — Sedrass’ reproof to Pelangye — Large assembly to hear the gospel 127

CHAPTER XXVII.

JOURNEY FROM MERIBORWIIEY TO MOBATEE.

Departure from Meribohwhey — Two rhinoceroses shot for the Tammahas— Gnus mislead our oxen— Interruption and distress from the weather — Bushman kraal— Return of two wanderers — Lions devour a quacha near the wagons— Arrival at Mobatee . . 131

CHAPTER XXVIII.

RESIDENCE AT MOBATEE.

Anxiety of Coranna.s — Inquiry concerning the murder of the Tammaha king’s brother — Their vindication of their conduct 134

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CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXIX.

JOURNKT FROM MOBATEE TO LATTAKOO.

Leave Mobatee — Crossed track of first journey — Bushmen glad to hearof approach of quachas — Visit from Makoon — Rain-maker’s attempt to explain how he made rain — Jealousy of Munaneets. 136

CHAPTER XXX.

JOURNEY FROM MOBATEE, TO ARRIVAL IN LATTAKOO.

Duplicity of Pelangye — Makoon’s ignorance of his neighbourhood — Enter on an extended plain covered with a pavement — Straying of oxen— Visited by Bushmen— Storm — The rain-maker claims the merit of bringing the rain — Halt at water — Maklareen River— Difficult crossing — Progress checked by rain — All provisions exhausted — Reach Lattakoo 1.38

CHAPTER XXXr.

SECOND RESIDENCE IN LATTAKOO.

Formal meeting with Mateebe to give an account of journey to the Marootzees— Moeete’s quarrel— Commando at-ainst Bushmen— Barbarity of Lattakoo females — Native preacher — Mission keys stolen— The king threatens death to the thief— Soon recovered— Presents to Munaneets’ daughters— Duplicity of king . . 144

CHAPTER XXXII.

JOURNEY TO PATANNEE.

Hamapery — Hokkooro — Burial of a captain — Machatchanai — Arrive at Patannee 149

CHAPTER XXXIII.

RESIDENCE AT PATANNEE.

Patannee — Seretz’s conduct at worship — Artifice of Munaneets — Interview with Lintua — His policy — Willing to receive missionaries— Attack on the Masnows — Description of Lintua — Wounded captain — Seretz’s house and family 151

CHAPTER XXXIV.

JOURNEY PROM PATANNEE TO TURREEHEY.

Leave Patannee — Visit Letakka on the edge of the Great Desert — Enter desert — Sehoree’s sons — Mode of procuring water at Mooshuana — No prisoners taken in African wars — Examination of a large nest — Arrival at Turreehey 154

CONTENTS.

XI

CHAPTER XXXV.

Page

RESIDENCE AT TURREEHET,

Found Laheisey, an aged, venerable-looking man — The king^s speech — Willing to receive teachers — Dance in honour of Seretz’s visit 159

CHAPTER XXXVI.

RESIDENCE AT TURREEHET, (CONTINUED.)

Information from old men — Great Desert — Extent of king’s knowledge — His request — Water melons — No running water in desert 162

CHAPTER XXXVIL

JOURNEY FROM TURREEHEY TO CHOPO.

Departure from Turreehey — Success in shooting buffaloes — Camelopards seen — Chopo— Knavery of Munaneets 164

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

JOURNEY FROM CHOPO TO LATTAKOO.

Leave Chopo— Description of the way — Interview with chief about plundering the party of Mashows 166

CHAPTER XXXIX.

LAST RESIDENCE AT LATTAKOO.

Lattakoo— Messengers from Makkabba — Conversation with natives—Arrival of Africaner— Pursuit of Bushmen thieves— Murder of Dr. Cowan and party— Symptoms of grace in a Matchappee 168

CHAPTER XL.

JOURNEY PROM LATTAKOO TO QRIQUA TOWN.

Final departure from Lattakoo — Koning Fountain — Depredations of Busnmen — Treatment of culprits— Cave, a Bushman refuge — Kar’s Kraal — Interview with Bushmen — Berend's Kraal— Singular meeting — A great disaster— Leprosy — Departure of Africaner— Arrival at Griqua Town 171

CHAPTER XLL

RESIDENCE AT GRIQUA TOWN.

Griqua school — Visit by landdrost of Graaf Reynet — Left Griqua Town — Fate of Kleinfeld’s articles of clothing — Visit to Campbell— Claim of the Bushmen— Landdrost’s visit to Lattakoo— Dark prospects of a dying chief J70

CONTENTS.

Xli

CHAPTER XLII.

JOURNEY FROM GRIQUA TOWN TO KOK’s KRAAL.

Journey to Kok’s Kraal— Rcpass the Great River — Indifference and indolence of Corannas — Cradock River — Kok's Kraal — Kok dated his prosperity from the arrival of the missionaries — A formidable combat with a lion— Mampoor — Bushgirls— Depredations by starving dogs 181

CHAPTER XLIII.

JOURNEY ACROSS THE BUSHMAN COUNTRY.

Mineral springs — Salt lake— Anthills — Visit to Konnah — Difficult crossing of tne Cradock — An act of mercy disarmed the Bushmen— Sabbath with Corannas — Hottentot sermon— Apathy of Corannas 187

CHAPTER XLIV.

JOURNEY ACROSS THE BUSHMAN COUNTRY CONTINUED TO THE BORDER OP THE COLONY.

Feat of an ox — Visit to Ramah— Chapel — Keewet — Crossed the Cradock — Jackal — Bushmen hail our arrival — Old mission station— Hottentot sermon — Conversation with Tkai — Hill scenery — Dash Port — Sea-cow River — Toornberg — Interview with Na-a-kaw— Regular piles of stones — Recross the limits of the colony 192

CHAPTER XLV.

JOURNEY IN SNEUBERG, TO GRAAF REYNET,

The oxen take fright — Kleinfeld in danger— Hottentot reason for removing dead snakes — Sale of slaves — Arrival at Graaf Reynet —Beauties of it in the orange season 200

CHAPTER XL VI.

JOURNEY FROM GRAAF REYNET TO CAPE TOWN,

Parting with Mr. Read and the Hottentots— Camdebo mountains — Beaufort — Anecdote of a serpent — Oxen stray — Gamka River —Blood River Road — Halt on the banks of the Blood River — Hex River Valley — Arrival at Cape Town 201

JOURNEY TO LATTAKOO.

Chapter I. Journey From Cape Town To Beaufort

Everything being prepared for our journey, we left Cape Town at ten a.m., January 18, 1820. The party consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Moffat, missionaries, intended to be settled at Lattakoo, myself, and the necessary Hottentot attendants. Some young, unbroken oxen greatly retarded our progress, so that ivlien we baited, at ten o’clock at night, we had only proceeded seven miles during the twelve hours. Next morning, we departed at daylight, in order to reach water, but found the young oxen so difficult to manage, that our progress was quite stopped. In this dilemma, we were most o|)portunely relieved by some people who were driving wine wagon.s, and who, noticing our uncomfortable situation, came and said, that, as our unbroken oxen were of the colour they wanted to make up a span, (or set,) they would give us some tractable ones in exchange for them, if we were not particular about their colour. As that was a point of no imiiortance in our estimation, wo thankfully acceded to their offer, and were thus enabled to go forward with ease and safety.

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JOURNEY TO LATTAKOO.

We travelled by Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Tulbacb, till the 28tb, when we arrived at the mouth of the Hex river kloof ; after which the road was entirely new to me, and to all with me, as far as the Great Orange river. At six in the evening, we proceeded up the kloof, which is a long serpentine defile, or narrow pass, between high and steep mountains. The scenery was extremely grand and interesting, being marked by stupendous cliffs, rugged rocks, and spiral-topped mountains of great elevation. Their bases were covered with mimosa trees, the flowers of which appeared like innumerable golden balls suspended from the branches. The Hex river, with a rumbling noise, was heard forcing its way along the jungle; and what rendered the wild and singular scenery still more interesting at that time was, that the heavens were beautifully illuminated by the setting sun at one end of the pass, and the full moon, in serene and cloudless majesty, was seen rising at the other. In three hours and a half, we halted near the extremity of the defile.

Resting on the 31st at Mr. De Vos’s, he remarked, that the climate and the soil of the valley seemed equally adapted either for vineyards or the cornfield. Chestnuts, walnuts, peaches, nectarines, apricots, mulberries, oranges, apples, pears, quinces, lemons, etc., were hanging on the trees in such profusion, as to weigh down many of the branches to the ground. This lovely spot we left at five p.m., and at midnight halted at the commencement of the Karoo desert.

A jackal amused us by its’ howling, at a little distance. The field mouse, upon which it some-

JOURNEY TO LATTAKOO.

times preys, generally takes up its abode under a bush, and has a hole on each side leading to its residence. When pursued by the jackal, it flies to its hiding-place. The jackal, aware of the manner in which the mouse burrows in the earth, strikes with its tail against the one hole to frighten the little animal, while he watches with open mouth at the other to receive it on its exit. If this artifice does not succeed, he howls, to call his fellows to his assistance.

It is reported, that, in this part of the country, the male of certain kinds of birds alone builds the nest. When he has finished the work, it is examined by the female ; should it not please her, she tears it to pieces, and her obedient mate builds another.

On the 4th of February, at noon, tbe timbers of the wagons became so heated that they could not be touched; the thermometer stood at 100. At half past three, we proeeeded on our journey ; the thunder, which from noon had been rolling around us, came nearer; loud peals broke over our heads, attended with much forked lightning, which continued for two hours, without intermission. At one in tbe morning, we halted at the side of Helbeck river, in the bed of which we found water. From the top of a small hill W'e had a view of the Elephant mountains, about twenty miles distant; in every direction, all was a scorched desert.

The boors, from the Sea-cow river, who were baking near us on the Gth, wdien invited to attend worship in our teiit, replied, they knew all the forms in their church, but they knew nothing about

JOURNEY TO LATTAKOO.

worshipping in that way. Not one of them atteiulecl, having forgotten what Jesus says, “ Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them,” Matt, xviii. 20 ; which no doubt applies to an assembly held even in a tent in a desert, as ours was. The only stranger who attended was a farmer’s wife from the Buffalo river. She told ns, that the heat there was so intense during the day, that they ate nothing until tlie evening, e.xcept water-melons, which grow in great abundance in their garden. She said nobody lived near them, and she thought it was very convenient to have no neighbours, for when cattle went into their garden, or cornfields, they were sure it was only their own. No game came near them, except antelopes and zebras. 1 gave Dutch tracts to her, and to the Sea-cow river boors.

There being good starlight, we travelled the whole night without a halt. In the morning, the rising sun discovered one of the finest groups of mountains I had seen in Africa, consisting of four rows, running parallel to each other from north-west to south-east, the nearest of which were low, but of interesting shapes ; the second row, immediately behind, was higher; the third row deserved the appellation of mountains ; but that row which terminated the scene was stupendous, and the summits were of beautiful forms, composed entirely of naked rocks. At half-past seven in the morning, we reached the hanks of the long-desired Dweeka river.

An exploit by Cornelius, my wagon driver, is worthy of notice, as it shows what patience and

JOURNEY TO LATTAKOO.

perseverance can accomplish, even under the oppressive heat of an African climate. He returned in the evening, after an absence of three days in search of two strayed oxen, having walked about one hundred miles. The first night he slept till daybreak behind a hillock of sand. In the morning, he examined all round to discover the footsteps of the two oxen. He found the footsteps of three oxen, which rather perplexed him, as he only sought for two ; however, he determined to follow their track, as they were in the direction of the w'ind, wdiich African oxen generally prefer. After patiently tracing their footmarks for eight or nine miles, he came up to the oxen, and found that all the three were ours. He slept in the evening at the Holbeck river, and next morning ate his last piece of bread. In two or three hours he came up to a wagon, and received a small supply of bread. At sunset, he found water, at which he stopped for the ni^ht. Next day, he was met by a man driving loose oxen, who told him he was desired by us to take them with him to his master, that we might get them en our return. Cornelius, very properly, asked if he had anything to show that what he said was true. As the man could produce no authority in support of his assertion, Cornelius would not give up the oxen, but drove them slowly forward till he reached us, at five p.m.

During supper, a large reptile of the locust kind was creeping up the inside of the tent : it is called by the farmers and Hottentots the cornboor, because it is most frequently seen among corn at the time of harvest. It was about three

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JOURNEY TO LATTAKOO.

inclics long, and as mncli in circumference; tlie belly, light green, and nearly flat ; the back, black, of an oval shape ; the legs, about four inches long, with three joints, with several feelers behind the head.

Peecharoo, a Bootchuana, who accompanied us, being asked by a travelling boor if he would come into his service, replied, “ I know these men I am with, but I do not know you ; they liave good hearts, but I do not know yours ; there is another of them at the Cape, a Mr. Philip, who has also a good heart.”

A black ostrich, followed by several young ones, was seen a little to the left of the road, but we did not molest them. At seven we halted at the Gamka river. In the morning, I took a ramble along its banks. The beauty and fragrance of innumerable mimosa trees, in blossom, wore delightful. Many lizards were running about in various directions. A wide-spreading mimosa, standing by itself a little way off, attracted my attention hy the liveliness of its green foliage, and the number of the flowers by which it was studded, which glittered in the sun, like so many newly-coined guineas. It consisted of seventeen long shoots, proceeding from one ancient stump ; the circumference of the ground which it shaded measured si.xtv-six steps ; our cattle were feeding around, coveys of pheasants were flying over it, butterflies of great beauty weie extracting their food from its honeyed treasures, and lizards of various hues were enjoying its shade. Those persons only can appreciate such an a.sscmblagc of the most beautiful objects in nature, who have

JOURNEY TO LATTAKOO.

root with them as we have, in the midst of a desert; hut, anywhere, such objects are calculated to raise the mind of man to nature’s God, and to excite admiration at his goodness to a fallen, rebellious world. Oh, what kind of an inheritance must heaven be, seeing men are redeemed to possess it at tlie infinite expense of the precious blood of the Son of God ! The man who loses heaven, by Ills sin and folly, null never forgive himself ; but will to all eternity deplore his madness.

We depai'ted from this lovely spot at two P.M.; and about eight o’clock, owing to the darkness, we were obliged to halt short of the spot we intended to reach ; but we found plenty of firewood to prevent tbe approach of lions, said to be very numerous on the Gamka: the fresh footsteps of two we had traced on the road for several miles.

We went forward at five in the morning, and halted o])posite a farm-house, when we procured milk for breakfast, which had become a rarity. A powerful whirlwind passed over our wagons without injury, only lifting up a volume of .sand and gravel, which fell on the neighbouring trees like a shower of hail. Two tame ostriches were walking about the farm-house, seven feet high. When a wolf is heard in the neighbourhood, all the dogs instantly run towards him, and the two ostriches generally join in the ])ursnit. At six in the evening, we proceeded, till midnight, when we halted again near the Gamka. In the morning, a farmer and his son, with two wagons, from the Sea-cow river, ])assed, and visited our tent; his name was I’innar: about twenty-six years before,

JOURNEY TO LATTAKOO.

his father lost his life in a contest with Africaner. He received the account of Africaner’s conversion with some surprise, but with less incredulity than might have been expected under such circumstances.

Early in the morning, our Bootchuana came in triumph with a duyker, an animal of the deer kind, which he had just shot, being the first animal he had ever killed with a musket. The Hottentots had long made sport of his shooting, assuring him he could never kill anything with a musket ; and so certain did they profess to be of this, that they appointed two of their number to eat the feathers, or bair, of the first animal he should kill. The ball had gone through the creature’s throat, and into its back; so he had shot at it in front. This circumstance he pointed out with great animation, and imitated the sound of the bullet jiassing through some branches. He was covered with blood, from the awkward manner in which he had cariied the still bleeding animal. The flies and ants were very troublesome to-day ; the former actually drove me from the wagon, and, while standing under the thick foliage of a tree for shelter from the sun, (the heat of which was up to a hundred,) the latter sallied forth from one of their nests, and soon completely covered my left leg.

At five P.M., we departed, and soon entered a narrow pass through a thicket of trees. The leader of the foremost wagon oxen, a boy about fourteen years of age, was exceedingly afraid to enter the thicket, from a dread of meeting with lions; the Hottentot near me desired me to look at the boy’s hair, and I should see it standing.

JOUKNEY TO LATTAKOO.

from fright. The little fellow had only wool on liis liead. We halted at two in the morning.

Next day, we arrived at Beaufort, a deputy drosdy, which liad been lately formed under that of Graaf Reynet. They had not as yet commenced building tbe town, for want of labourers, though various plots of ground had been sold for building on. Mr. Baird, the landdrost, assisted us in every way that he could.

A Bushgirl about eight, and a boy about ten years of age, who were very interesting children, lived with him. A field-cornet, higher up the country, procured them from their parents, to be trained up as servants. After they had been a few days with him, they ran olf unpcrccived, and two days afterwards they were found half-starved in the wilderness, fast locked in each other’s arms. Although the boy had been but a short time in Mr. Baird’s service, he waited at table, and acted his part very well. A late exploit of the lad is worth recording. Mr. S., landdrost of Graaf Reynet, and Mr. Baird, were travelling in horse wagons, when the rivers were swollen by the rains. On coming to the ford of a river, a slave assured them it was not deej). On which Mr. Baird proceeded with his wagon ; one of the hor.scs fell, but the driver continued lashing the other horses, till they dragged over both the fallen horse and the wagon. Those behind, observing this success, attempted to cross likewise, but five of the houses were drowned, and the Magon carried down the stream. Those in the wagon with difficulty got out of it, and succeeded in reaching the shore Noticing that Mr. Bairds Bushboy was missing,

JOURNEY TO LATTAKOO.

the two landdrosts made haste to save him. About a mile and a half lower down, they observed him mounted on the roof of the wagon, and holding up a little dog to prevent its being drowned. At length the wagon struck against a small island in the middle of the stream, which was not yet covered by water, when he immediately threw out the dog, and jumped upon the shore himself. They instantly sent for reams, or skin ropes, used about the wagons, which they tied to each other till they had made a line long enough to reach the island. After showing the boy how to fasten it round his body, they threw it over to him, which happily reaching tlie island, he seized and tied it round him as directed. Then, at their desire, advancing as far as he could into the powerful stream, they dragged him over as fast as j)ossible. I do not recollect the fate of the little dog.

Chapter II. Journey From Beaufort To The Limits Of The Colony

We left Beaufort on the evening of the 21st of February, and travelled over a flat tract of land, lying between the Gamka on the right, and a range of hills on the left. The whole range, for ten or twelve miles, was surmounted by a frontage of rock, resembling a wall, or fortification, from forty to fifty feet high, which e.xhibitcd a very interesting and commanding appearance. This natural rampart was so perpendicular, that

JOURNEY TO LATTAKOO.

hardly a projecting crag could he seen. Halted at midnight.

Finding no water, we renewed our journey at daylight, having picturesque hills on both sides of the valley ; the tops of some resembled crowns, entirely of rock. At eight, halted at the foot of a liill, over which the road lay, and succeeded in discovering water. At five p.m,, we commenced ascending the hill, which, from its steepness, proved a much more formidable task than we had anticipated. After getting the first wagon about a quarter of a mile up, the twelve oxen yoked to it could not move it a foot further; ten oxen from another wagon were added to them, but all these could only drag it about three yards higher. After this, twenty-two of the strongest oxen were selected, and yoked to the wagon. These, in an hour and a half, succeeded in bringing it to the top of the second ascent. The same oxen being yoked to the two other wagons, brought them up also by eleven o’clock at night ; but, not having as yet gained a third part of the hill, and both oxen and men being extremely fatigued, we judged it best to remain all night where we were.

No sooner did the dawn of day appear, than all were actively employed in preparing to ascend the remainder of the hill. At .six, the labour commenced, and in two hours all the wagons reached tlie summit. From this elevated spot, the descent, for forty or fifty feet, was exceedingly steep and rugged, and tried the strength of the wagons, which were precipitated with great violence down it; but afterwards the descent was easy, till we came to a boors place, called Dass Fountain.