1812. 
AN ACCIDENT THE PARTY ENUMERATED. 
15 
and which now deprived us of the use of one of the cattle. The 
ox on which Cobus was to ride, was missing ; and, having been sup- 
posed to have strayed back again to the village at the Kloof, one of 
the Hottentots was despatched thither in search ; yet after wasting 
much time, it was at last found on the road nor far off, its rein 
having been accidentally caught by a bush, from which the poor 
animal had not only been unable to extricate itself, but in the struggle 
had dislocated its foot. Being therefore unfit for service, it was left 
under care of the people at the kraal ; and we were obliged to give 
up one of the pack-oxen to supply its place ; although we were then 
left with no more than three for carrying all our goods, together 
with the game which we might expect to shoot from day to day. 
At length all being ready and the baggage properly adjusted, 
we commenced our journey in the Cisgariepine^ my party consisting 
of six Hottentots, the Bushman Nieuwveld, and Ruiter the Bachapin 
whose proper name amongst his own countrymen, was Mdkhowta. 
Having gained intelligence that a friendly Bushman, who, by 
frequent visits to the Hottentots of the Asbestos Mountains, was 
personally known to one of ray men, had lately pitched his hut on 
the banks of the river a few miles lower down, we bent our course 
that way, intending to persuade him to accompany us ; not indeed 
as a guide, but for the purpose of introducing us as friends, at the 
different kraals of his countrymen, at which he might be known, and 
of assuring them of our good intentions towards them and of our 
peaceable disposition ; but more especially, of testifying that 1 was 
not one of the boors, — men with whom they have been unfortunately 
too often on hostile terms, and of whose views they are generally 
too suspicious, to allow them to pass through their country without 
molestation. 
We traversed a very extensive plain, covered with grass so tall 
that the dogs were completely hidden by it ; but the ostriches stalked 
through exposed to view, and stonebucks * here and there starting 
up, bounded over it and were soon out of sight. 
* Antilope rupestris, mentioned in the first volume, at page 202. 
