AN ANIMATED SCENE. 165 



In the morning Mr. Melvill and his son suc- 

 ceeded in crossing the river, to our no small gratifica- 

 tion, and agreed to accompany us on our return as far 

 as Coles-berg, where a large meeting of the farmers 

 residing in that district was to take place on the fol- 

 lowing day. The Rev. Mr. Murray and the Civil 

 Commissioner from GraafF-Reinet were expected to be 

 present at the laying the corner-stone of a church to 

 be erected from a design furnished by Mr. Melvill. 



The heat was exceedingly oppressive, and it was 

 consequently late in the afternoon before we were 

 enabled to take our departure. After travelling for 

 three hours we reached Coles-berg about dusk, and 

 were much struck with the change which this place 

 exhibited since our last visit. Upwards of a hun- 

 dred waggons had assembled, which, with tents and 

 marquees thicky scattered over the upper part of the 

 valley, presented the appearance of a populous vil- 

 lage, the whole scene being one of considerable bustle 

 and activity. 



Hottentots were seen returning from the hills with 

 droves of oxen, each fresh arrival being denoted by 

 the loud cracking of their long whips. Some were 

 busily engaged, in noisy uproar, securing their cattle 

 to the waggons for the night ; some, equally vocifer- 

 ous, were preparing their evening meal, whilst others 

 reposed inactively by the side of immense fires that 

 blazed in every direction. The numerous lights 

 issuing from the canvass dwellings, — the sound of 

 the viol proceeding from some of the more gay and 



