SOUTHEUN AFRICA. 93 



leaving" Kuruman, and indeed almost ever since passing- the 

 Sneuwberg'en. The cultivated loud in all parts of the basin 

 was extensive; and countless herds of sleek oxen were 

 g-razing" on the slopes. Our one-eyed friend^ the deputy- 

 g-overnor^ Avho A\as exceedhig-l}- reluctant to leave such 

 amiable society, had taken his seat on the fore-chest of the 

 leading* A\'ng-g-on, having- first paid Coeur de Lion the compli- 

 ment of removing- his camlet cloak, and enveloping- his own 

 g-reasy person therein as a protection ag-ainst the cold, which 

 was far from moderate. The old man's elliptically crowned 

 bald pate protruding- abo\'e the hig-h collar, contrasted with 

 the g-rotesque solemnity of his deportment, had a sufficiently 

 ludicrous appearance, Baba, the interpreter, had broug-ht 

 two horses, one of which he rode. Piet, who fancied himself 

 at the point of death, had composed himself upon my cot, 

 of which he held the monopoly for several days ; and the 

 two savao-es Avho had announced om* advent to the kino-, 

 accompanied us as g-uides, or more correctly speaking-, as 

 spies. These fellows rendered themselves particularly ob- 

 noxious during- the Avhole journey, by their peremptory inter- 

 ference in our affairs, as Avell as by their offensive familiarity^ 

 They often clambered into our beds A\"ithout ceremony, and 

 obtruded themselves stark naked when least required. 



AVe unyoked for breakfast on the bank of one of the 

 numerous streams that here form the source of the Mariqua, 

 a riA er of a\ hich I shall have occasion frequent!}^ to speak. 

 A spacious and level valle}", hemmed in on three sides by 

 the skirting- hills of the Kurrichane rang-e, was intersected 

 by three or four of these rivulets, whose serpentine course 

 could be traced by the sedg-es that rose hig'h above their 

 banks. As soon as the g'overnor had completed his break- 

 fast, and the wag-g-ons A\'ere ready to proceed, the extension 

 of his excellency's g-reasy hand announced his intention of 

 leaving- us and retiu-ning* to Moseg-a. A severe |wm^j- 



