MOSSEL BAY. 327 



in which he said the bosch-boks were very numerous, 

 but we were unsuccessful in our pursuit. Leopards 

 and tiger-cats were frequently seen in this part of 

 the country. I obtained a fine skin of the latter 

 animal from the farmer, who had shot it a short time 

 previously. From this place we descended a steep 

 hill covered with thick bushes, and rested on the 

 banks of the Brack River, where Botha had pro- 

 mised to overtake us, and bring with him a bosch- 

 bok, having assured us that he was acquainted with 

 a part of the forest where he was sure of finding 

 some of those animals. Before we quitted the spot 

 I was gratified at seeing him approach with two of 

 these antelopes flung across his horse. He assured 

 me that if I could remain a short time longer, he had 

 no doubt of procuring me a male specimen, which I 

 was desirous of obtaining ; but being unwilling to 

 delay my journey I remunerated him for his trouble, 

 and proceeded to the farm of John Blanch, in Mus- 

 quito Valley, — a term not unaptly applied to the 

 place, judging from the annoyance we experienced 

 during the night from those tormenting insects. 



In the course of the next day we came to Mossel 

 Bay, after Simon's Bay the best and safest shelter 

 on the eastern coast of the colony. Formerly a 

 government resident and a boat's crew were esta- 

 blished here, but they have been withdrawn since the 

 beginning of the year 1828. This bay is the only 

 one in the district calculated to admit vessels of 



