Diary of a Journey to tfte Amaquas. 



we started from the drie huisjes, and directed our course t< - 

 wards the Honingbergen (Honey mountains) principally ^J 

 the banks of the river, in a northerly direction, and after ad- 

 vancing a quarter of a mile, we arrived at a rivulet falling into 

 the Berg river, in which we found a fish much like the Barbie 

 of Holland, and of the same Savour. We then travelled N. by 

 W. half a mile, then N. E. by E. for half a mile, towards a 

 mountain, from which issues the Twenty-four rivers ; after that, 

 Ave advanced N.N.W. a quarter of a mile, and arrived at a plai 

 called the Groote-gat, situated on the Berg river: from theme 

 we went W. N, W. half a mile, till Ave got right opposite the 

 south end of the said Honingbergen. 



These hills are two in number, of moderate height, divided 

 by a kloof, and have obtained their name from the honey 

 which is found there. We travelled at about the distance of 

 a quarter of a mile from them, and on the other side of the 

 river. We then directed our course N.W. one-third of a 

 mile, to a valley through which we conveyed our carts and 

 wagons with a great deal of trouble. Our road then lay 

 N.W. for a quarter of a mile to a small rivulet, and after 

 that N.N.W. for half a mile, when we halted. 



The country over which Ave passed, was composed of stony 

 and sandy hills, except behind the Honingbergen, and at c 

 resting place, Avhere the soil Avas a red clay, Avell covered 

 with grass. We passed also about Vier-en-twintig Rivieren 

 (24 Rivers), several huts belonging to the afore-mentioned 

 robbers, called Sonquas, and built in the same manner as those 

 of other Hottentots, Avith the exception that they Avere covered 

 Avith branches of shrubs, Avhilst those of the others were covered 

 Avith mats. 



To day, His Honor the Commander issued an order, 

 that Avhereas Ave approached more and more to the Hottentots' 

 kraals, none of our party should take any improper liberties 

 with the females of the Hottentot tribes, under penalty of 

 being scourged, and expelled as vagabonds from the Honorable 

 Company's Service. Latitude 32°. 50'. longitude 39°. 9'. 

 weather good. 



Sunday, 2d September. — We proceeded with fine Aveather, 

 and directed our course N.W. by N. for a third of a mile ; 

 then changed it to due North for a quarter of a mile, and 

 passed two of Capt. Goereman's Kraals, From thence Ave 

 advanced N.N.W. one mile and a half along the Bergriver. 

 The country AA'as hilly, some of them were stony, and 

 others fit for cultivation. Here grew abundance of that plant 

 which is called in Holland parey (chibbal), and its odour is 

 of such strength that the whole country is filled therewith. 

 We then travelled N. one-third of a mile, and came to the 

 ford called Misverstand, wheie Ave encamped and found a 



