1812. 
BAAS JACOB. — COMPLAINTS OF A BUSHGIRL. 
95 
A copious spring of good water had been discovered by the hunters, 
not far from us, in the direction of south-south-east : and from several 
indications, this part of the country appeared to be well watered. 
In the afternoon we were visited by a small party of natives 
consisting of two men, and six women, two of whom carried each an 
infant at her back. They informed me that they had yesterday 
travelled from Oud Baasje JacoVs (old Master Jacob's) ; where the 
men had been employed as shepherd and herdsman, and the women 
as assistants about the farm-house. These people, viewing me, 
as all their countrymen had hitherto viewed me, as a friend, were 
eager to relate to me their grievances. They had quitted this boor's 
service because he had beaten one of the women. The poor creature 
herself came forward to tell the story ; she was a young girl of 
harmless engaging appearance, and I could not suppress the irrita- 
tion of mind which I felt at hearing that any man had been brute 
enough to lift his hand against so weak and defenceless a fellow- 
creature ; for she was, as all girls of her nation are, of very small 
and delicate frame. She told me that Oud Baas had tied her up to 
one of the wheels of the waggon and flogged her for a long time. 
The other women all joined in the tale, and two or three at once 
were showing me the position in which she was tied, first imitatino- 
the act of flogging, and then that of crying and supplicating for 
mercy : but she implored in vain, for no mercy was in his heart, till 
he had vented his rage. 
Unfortunately it was not in my power to afford them any redress, 
or to investigate whether she had, or had not, been punished un- 
deservingly. I could only compassionate the poor girl ; and this, 
if it could be any alleviation to her feelings, I did from my heart. 
I gave them some tobacco, to cheer them j nor did it even in so 
unfavourable a state of mind, fail to gladden their countenances. 
This gave them an occasion to complain that they had very seldom 
received any from the baas, and whenever they did, it was but an 
extremely small piece, which, they said, he threw down on the ground 
to them as if they had been dogs. This last remark should not pass 
without notice, as it gives us admonition which cannot be too strongly 
