271 
sediment, which is collected by the boors and employed to 
paint their waggons, | 
* As it was too late to return to the cantonment, we 
agreed to throw ourselves for the night on the hospitality of 
a boor, who lived at a short distance from the spring. When 
we expressed our intention to Van Royen, he signified his 
satisfaction, in the homely but hearty language of welcome, 
in which few of the boors are deficient. He sent instantly to 
the Kraal, to fetch a lamb, which was slaughtered before our 
eyes: the operator, a female, one of his Hottentot domestics. 
After we had sate for some time conversing, a servant came 
round with a bucket of water to wash our feet: on our 
declining her services, she went to our host, his wife, and 
children, and washed their feet in succession. This circum- 
stance, together with the killing of the lamb, brought to my 
recollection the history of Abraham entertaining the three 
angels. The African boors are as strictly in the pastoral 
state of society as the patriarchs were of old. 
* The supper-table was set out in much neater style than 
is usual among the boors. Each of us had a plate, a knife 
and fork, a spoon, and a clean white napkin placed before us. 
The lamb, stewed to rags, occupied the middle, and a dish 
of sweet potatoes, with a tureen, full of milk, and a salad, 
garnished the corners. 
* We had provided ourselves with some brandy, which 
We contrived to manufacture into punch after supper. The 
old Vrow seemed to relish this mixture amazingly. After 
Swallowing a few glasses she got merry, and her oh aaa 
tested. But Van Royen himself could not be prevailed upon 
to touch it; and, if what he told us be true, he is a rara avis 
among the boors of the Cape. He declared solemnly that 
never in his life tasted either wine, brandy, ien, or coffee; 
nor did he recollect ever having used tobacco in any shape; 
to all which luxuries the boors in general are passionately 
addicted, They seldom use sugar to their tea or coffee. 
€ former they call tea-water; and no beverage (€—— 
more aptly denominated, The quantity originally infused 
Would scarcely make one cupful of ordinary strength ; and on. 
