196 Diary of a Journey to the Amaqua' 



the first instance, the number of large rocks with v/.:^ 

 was beset on both sides; and secondly, its very serpen' 

 course between the hills. From the many rivulets t 

 descend from the mountains and make the roads deep and 

 unfit for travelling, several of our carts became disabled, ar i 

 had been repaired with a great deal of trouble, only so far a^ 

 that they reached the resting place. The short distance we 

 travelled took us from an early hour in the morning till three 

 o'clock in the afternoon, at which time we struck off from 

 the river, leaving it on our right. We proceeded on our 

 route, passing first between mountains, then ascended a 

 sandy height, and continued along its ridge ; after which we 

 came again to the river, along whose banks we continued our 

 journey for another mile, and then encamped. We had a high 

 peaked mountain to the N.N.E. The mountains which we 

 passed and saw this day were hardly any thing but massive 

 rocks. The Doornbosch-rivier before-mentioned, is called so 

 on account of the many thorn-trees which grow on its banks. 

 We found here that that river sprung out of the mountains 

 which lay in a N. direction from us, and was increased by 

 many streamlets which fell into it from the mountains on both 

 sides, and that it discharged itself into the sea. Former 

 travellers found no water in that river, except in some holes 

 and deep parts of its bed, while on the contrary it was when 

 we passed, very deep and rapid. In the evening we perceived 

 a fire, upon which His Honor the Commander ordered a ser- 

 geant with ten men, and some of the Hottentots we had with 

 us, to go and ascertain from whence it arose. He returned, 

 after an absence of three hours, bringing with him an Amaqua 

 Sonqua, and reported "that he had seen as many as twenty of 

 them together, towards whom he had sent one of his Hotten- 

 tots to request them (according to the instructions of His 

 Honor the Commander,) to come to us, and to assure them 

 that they should not receive any harm ; but as soon as they 

 saw him, they ran away in great consternation, leaving 

 behind, all their arms, viz : bows, arrows, and assagays, al- 

 though he called out to them to remain. Upon seeing this he 

 immediately followed them, and ordered his Hottentots, if 

 possible, to seize one ; which they did, and that was the one 

 they brought." His Honor the Commander caused him to be 

 well received, and to be asked why he had fled, but he was so 

 much terrified that he would not speak a word, in consequence 

 of which we kept him that night. We advanced this day two 

 miles and forty-five minutes in the direction of N.E- 



Tuesday, 2d. — We remained in order to repair our broken 

 carts and wagons, for which a good opportunity was offered 

 here, because the trees were heavy enough to serve for axle- 

 trees, tongs, and whatever else was required, 



The Sonqua afore-mentioned, whom we kept last night with 



