198 Diary of a Journey lo the Amaquas. 



the Sonquas, most of the mountains are overgrown with these 

 trees, 3ome of them being as high as 15 and 16 feet. During 

 the time that we were on the road the Sonquas before-men- 

 tioned, who had parted this morning from us, joined us again 

 with their wives and children. His Honor the Commander 

 caused them to be well treated, the same as the night before, 

 in consequence of which not less shouting and singing took 

 place than last night. We had travelled the distance of one 

 mile and three quarters. 



Thursday, 4th. — At half-past seven a.m. we departed from 

 this place, directing our course due N. to the top of a hill 

 where we encamped. This spot was well provided with grass 

 and good water. We remained there because we had been 

 informed by the Sonquas that there were some kraals of 

 Amaquas near it. His Honor the Commander sent immediately 

 four of our Hottentots in search of these kraals, and gave 

 pipes and tobacco to them as presents to the Captains, and 

 an order to invite them at the same time to come to us. 

 Towards evening some Namaquas arrived, among which was 

 also the son of a certain Nonce, whose kraal they stated to be 

 situated close by. They said also that five other kraals of 

 different Captains were situated together further inland, and 

 who had said, that if we came to their country they would 

 attack us and take all our cattle. His Honor the Commander 

 received these Amaquas very civily, feasting them with 

 brandy, tobacco, and victuals, and so they spent the whole 

 night. We had proceeded one mile in the direction of N. 

 The latitude was 29° 36' the longitude 37° 41'. 



Friday, 5th.- We remained here for the Hottentots we had 

 sent out ; and the Amaquas afore-mentioned returned to their 

 kraal. In the afternoon Captain Nonce came himself, and 

 with him a great party of his attendants, together with some 

 of their wives and children. He rode on a pack-ox, and had 

 with him eleven milk-cows and another pack-ox, which carried 

 his baggage. He proceeded to the tent of His Honor the 

 Commander, in order to present a sheep and a jug of milk, on 

 which His Honor asked "if he was willing to barter?" he 

 answered, " that he had no cattle, and that he was a poor 

 devil." His Honor replied, "that in that case he should 

 keep his sheep and milk, that our nation was of that 

 description which would not receive anything from the poor, 

 but rather gave to them, and that we would therefore regale 

 them with our sheep." On this reply he stood quite amazed, 

 not knowing what to say. He then caused six sheep imme- 

 diately to be brought to the tent to present to us, Avhich 

 were also refused; upon which he entreated that the Com- 

 mander would accept them, saying " that he had abundance 

 of cattle for barter, and that he was not one of those who had 

 intended to go to war;" adding, however, "that he was mas- 



