BONTE-BOK VLEKT. 209 



of wheat and barley, and were living in compara- 

 tively comfortable circumstances. 



The scenery from this spot was particularly beau- 

 tiful; immense mountains rose on either side of the 

 settlement, partially covered with thick bush, amidst 

 plots of long green grass, which being in many 

 parts ripened, exhibited a soft and mellow tinge of 

 light brown shade, that formed an agreeable contrast 

 with the vivid green of those hollows produced by 

 the undulations of the hills. A large field of Indian 

 corn, just ready for the gathering, waved its golden 

 crop in rich profusion along the valley, at the ex- 

 tremity of which stood a small cottage with its cattle 

 kraal, adding to the varied interest of the prospect. 

 Mr. Thomson informed me that, immediately at the 

 back of this range of mountains, about eight hours' 

 ride from his dwelling, the Moravian brethren had 

 recently commenced a Missionary Station among 

 the Tambookies, called Silva, the first that had been 

 established amongst these people, and which was 

 then in a prosperous condition. 



A bold and lofty mountain fixes the boundary of 

 this settlement, on the summit of which was a tract 

 of level country of vast extent, called the Bonte-bok 

 Vlekt, stretching to the northward into the Tam- 

 bookie district, and inhabited by almost every variety 

 of antelope known in Southern Africa, from the little 

 blauw-bok, or pigmy antelope, which seldom exceeds 

 ten inches in height, to the antelope oreas, as tall as 



vol. i. p 



