190 Diary of a Journey to the Amaquaa. 



remain. In this River a fish is caught resembling in shape the 

 Carp of Holland; in taste, the Salmon, and is of the size of 

 a common Cod fish. 



During our stay, we found that the Olifants River receives a 

 streamlet which springs out of the Griqua mountains, and 

 along which the Sonquas above-mentioned reside. From 

 inquiry we found that Sonqua signified the same as pauper does 

 in Europe; and that each tribe of Hottentots had their own, 

 employed to give notice if thpy perceived any strange tribe. 

 They never plunder from the Kraals of the persons in whose 

 service they are; but do from others, and that as well in time 

 of peace, as in war; because (as has been related before,) they 

 possess nothing but what they obtain in that way. 



Monday, 17th. — The Colonists who had conveyed us thus far 

 with their wagons, took leave at break of day ; and upon their 

 request, the Commander gave permission to them to shoot 

 Sea-cows, Rhinoceroses, and Elands, fcr their own use. In 

 consequence of, a continuation of the rain, we were to-day also 

 prevented from conveying our baggage over the river. Our 

 latitude was 31° 15', and longitude 38° 13'. 



Tuesday, 18th. — The weather being fine, we carried our 

 baggage over the river; and in the afternoon at 2 o'clock, we 

 departed from the ford, directing our road towards a height, 

 which had a fine moist soil as far as the mountain. We then 

 entered a valley at the river, where we encamped, and where the 

 grass and wild oats were knee high. One of our people shot 

 a hare, resembling much the European one, with the exception 

 of the ears, which were as large as those of a common ass. 



Wednesday, 19th. — We proceeded in the morning, with 

 mislv weather, towards a height, and, after reaching it, we 

 came to a stream which appeared to discharge its water into 

 the Olifants river. We then changed our direction to circum- 

 vent the windings of the river, and after passing another 

 streamlet, reached a plain overgrown so thickly with wild oats, 

 that it seemed like an European cultivated field. After passing 

 that plain, we ascended through a small kloof, and on descend- 

 ing again continued our road over some low ground along the 

 river, till we came to the Bavians Berg, (so named on account 

 of the Baboons which inhabit the caverns thereof,) where we 

 pitched our tents. Our resting place had a clayey soil and 

 was well provided with grass and wood. We found in this 

 country great numbers of Quails, resembling in call, size, and 

 plumage, those of Europe. 



The Hottentots which we had with us, went to the chase, each 

 with a Karrie* in his hand, and arranged in an extended line, in 



* A Karrie is a stick generally with a knob. 



