28 EXPEDITION INTO [Chap. V. 



their more sober brethren, who banged them with- 

 out mercy — to transfer them hke pigs into the 

 waggons which they had been hired to drive. 



In this comfortable condition we commenced our 

 march — but had scarcely passed the outskirts of the 

 village when the rain descended in torrents, and left 

 us no alternative but to return : in doing which, one 

 of the less intoxicated Hottentots civilly carried off 

 the corner of a house, by propelling the heavily 

 laden vehicle against it. Dreading further mishaps, 

 and satisfied that no dependence could be placed 

 upon our followers, if once allowed to recover their 

 sobriety and liberty, we finally quitted GraafF 

 Reinet at six p. m. and by ten o'clock had formed 

 our camp ten miles off. 



The morning's dawn did not find the Hottentots 

 much gratified at their transportation into the desert, 

 coupled as it was with the prospect of a long and 

 tedious separation from gin and bitters ; and to add 

 to their distress^ we insisted also that they should 

 part from their vrouws, or wives, before crossing the 

 Snowy Mountains. As we ascended the acclivitous 

 road leading over Sir Lowry Cole's pass into that 

 range, the farewells were abundantly affecting. 

 John April's interesting spouse in particular, a 

 negress possessing all the Hottentot peculiarities 

 fully developed, clung round the neck of her " dear 

 man" and half smothered him with kisses. 



Before we had proceeded many miles, we were 

 met by a Hottentot riding post to Graaff" Reinet for 

 medical assistance ; his master, a young Dutch 



