227 



CHAP. IX. 



Journey to Blinkwater. — Beacon Hill, — Intercourse with ir. Van Royer 

 and the People. — Arrival at Philipton. — Venomous Serp ;its. — Instances 

 of their Power over their Prey. — Intercourse with the People of the Settle- 

 ment. — Gratifying Effects of the Visit from the Governor of the Colony. — 

 Sunday at the Kat River. — Farewell View of the Settlement. — Knapp's 

 Hope in Caffreland. — Site of Dr, Vanderkemp's earliest Labours among 

 the Caffres. — King William's Town. — Agreeable Intercourse with Mr. 

 Brownlee and Jan Tzatzoe. — Visit to Peelton. — Effects of the Labours 



and Influence of Mr. Birt. — Journey to G raham's Town State of the 



People. — Port Elizabeth. — Visits to Uitcnh:ige and Bethelsdorp. — Hospi- 

 tality of the People at Hankcy. — Their Recollections of the Past. — Re- 

 turn to Cape Town. — Review of the Events and Objects of our Journey. 

 — Reflections on the State and Prospects of the Coloured Population of the 

 Colony. — Return to England. 



On the 20th of March we left Orange Grrove, crossed the 

 Grreat Fish Eiver, ascended a long and rather difficult hill, 

 and then entered a vast plain dotted over with large conical- 

 shaped anthills, and here and there a few mimosas. Cafifre 

 and Fingoe herdsmen were tending the flocks which grazed 

 upon the plain. Travelling over a slightly undulated tract of 

 country, often park-like in the singular clustering trees and 

 rich tall grass that covered its surface, and bordered by ranges 

 or groups of wooded mountains, we passed within a short 

 distance of the Water Kloof, the scene of one of the most 

 sanguinary conflicts which took place betwixt the British 

 troops and the natives during the late war. On the morning 

 of the 22nd we reached the military post at Blinkwater, and 

 were welcomed by Mr. Van Eoyer, the missionary who 

 resides in that part of the place called Tidmanton. 



The chapel in this place had been used by the military as 

 a commissariat store; but a temporary building, for the 



