204 A PARTY OF HOTTENTOTS. 



tree, in conversation with Mrs. Steedman and another 

 lady, who had accompanied us thus far from Gra- 

 ham's Town, and admiring the romantic situation 

 which we had selected for our rural repast, a large 

 snake, of the Cobra de Capello species, crawled 

 from beneath the fallen tree, but glided so rapidly 

 among the reeds, where it was instantly lost to our 

 view, that our desire to add it to our collection was 

 unfortunately defeated. 



As the sun began to decline we emerged from our 

 shady retreat, and crossing the clear stream of the 

 Kat River, pursued our way up a rough and stony 

 path along the mountain's side, until we reached a 

 considerable elevation, where a beautiful and pic- 

 turesque scene presented itself. The eye wandered 

 over an extensive valley, which lay stretched far be- 

 low, with its dark stream flowing silently amidst 

 luxuriant foliage. On either side rose bare and 

 rocky mountains, giving an air of extreme grandeur 

 and magnificence to this solitary glen. Pursuing our 

 route, we came to a few huts belonging to a small 

 party of Hottentots, a division of those who had re- 

 cently been located here by the Colonial government. 



On inquiring of them whether I might venture 

 to turn my oxen loose for the purpose of grazing 

 during the night, without danger from the wolves, 

 an old Hottentot shrewdly replied, " The Caffers 

 are the wolves whose attacks we most apprehend." 

 " What ? " said I, " do these people rob the settle- 



